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Through 19 games this season, Kelsey Simonds is averaging 15.8 points, 8.9 rebounds and 1.9 blocks every time out. |
North Easton, Mass. - Following two outstanding performances last week, junior Kelsey Simonds (Middleboro, Mass./Cardinal Spellman) has been named Northeast-10 player of the week it was announced by the Conference office on Monday.
Simonds averaged 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds as the Skyhawks picked up two keys wins to move into first place in the Northeast-10.
In an 81-69 win over Southern Connecticut, she scored 19 points, grabbed nine rebounds and handed out three assists. Then in a convincing 67-43 road win over Pace, she notched game-highs of 20 points and 12 rebounds on 6-for-12 shooting. For the week she connected on 52 percent of her shots (12-for-23) and 88 percent of her free throws (15-for-17).
By virtue of their win and Conference losses by Assumption and Franklin Pierce, the Skyhawks are now in sole possession of first place in the Northeast-10 by one game over the Greyhounds and Ravens. Bentley, who entered the weekend with the same 10-3 Conference mark, lost a non-Conference contest to Holy Family and sits a half game behind the Skyhawks.
Simonds, meanwhile, is only one of two players in the Northeast-10, men's or women's, to appear in the top five in points (5th), rebounds (3rd) and field goal percentage (1st). Ironically, the Stonehill men's team will face the only other person in that category in LeMoyne's Laurence Ekperigin on Saturday.
At 1.95 blocks per game, Simonds also leads the Conference in that category as well, and her total of 37 is equal to or greater than two entire teams in the league. With her two blocks this weekend, she moved into fourth all-time on the school's career blocks list with 80 denials.
Joining Simonds in receiving Conference accolades is junior Bethany Tighe (North Easton, Mass./Oliver Ames), who earned honor roll recognition. Tighe scored a career-high 22 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the win over the Owls and then had 14 points and five boards at Pace. For the week she averaged 18 points and 7.5 rebounds on 62 percent shooting, including making all three shots she took from behind the arc and all seven of her free throws.
Stonehill, which will play five of its final eight games at home, returns to action on Saturday when it travels to LeMoyne for a 1:30 p.m. start.