HANCEVILLE ? Both Wallace State Community College basketball teams had players garner national recognition on Tuesday, each earning National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) All-American nods.
Wallace State?s Jeremy McKay was named to the men?s NJCAA third team, and women?s forward TaCouya Allen was an honorable mention selection.
McKay, a 5-foot-10 sophomore guard from Headland, paced the Wallace State men in 2011-12 with team highs in scoring (15.8 per game) and rebounds (5.9). He was second on the team in assists (87) and steals (53) and made a team-best 87 3-pointers.
?This is a great way for Jeremy to cap off his Wallace State career. He had a great season and was a catalyst for us all year, especially during the stretch run in the postseason. Jeremy stepped up his game to another level at the right time,? said Wallace State second-year coach John Meeks. ?Jeremy?s a phenomenal kid who has been active on campus and is loved by his instructors. He?s set to graduate in May and has worked hard academically. He?s definitely going to be missed and the perfect character player for any program.?
McKay helped the Lions win the program?s second state championship in March, by winning four games in four days as a No. 6 seed at the Alabama Community College Conference (ACCC)/Region 22 tournament. Wallace State followed with its second NJCAA Division I tournament appearance in three years, winning one consolation game and finishing with a 20-17 record.
McKay was also named a 1st-team All-ACCC/Region 22 performer for his regular season work and an All-tournament selection. As a 3rd-team selection, McKay becomes the program?s third All-American, joining 1st-teamers Cory Cooperwood (2006-07, 07-08) and L.A. Farmer (2009-10).
Meanwhile, Allen is the second player in as many years to be selected a NJCAA honorable mention for the Wallace State women, joining Bailee Robinson.
Allen was the unquestioned leader for the Lady Lions this season, averaging a double-double (12.2 points and 10.8 rebounds per game). The 5-foot-7 Anniston native recorded 15 double-doubles and also led the team in assists and steals. Like McKay, she was a 1st-team All-ACCC/Region 22 performer and All-Tournament selection.
?You couldn?t ask for a more quality kid than TaCouya, whether it?s on the basketball court or classroom. She?s going to be next to impossible to replace. I?m going to follow her career, and she?s going to be a winner wherever she goes,? said Wallace State coach Ron Burdette, the 2012 ACCC Coach of the Year. ?Words can?t describe how well TaCouya represented the school and basketball program. She had a great career and put the team on her back this year as far as being a leader.?
The Wallace State women finished 22-9 and state tournament runner-up.
For more information about the Wallace State athletics, visit wallacestate.edu.
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Russell Moore
Staff Writer
Wallace State Community College
P.O. Box 2000, Hanceville, AL 35077
1-866-350-9722 Direct line: 256-352-8443
256-352-8314 fax
Visit us online at www.wallacestate.edu
ACCC STATS
Jacquise Moore