Waterville, Maine: The North Atlantic Conference (NAC) announced today that two members of the SUNY Cobleskill women's basketball team have earned NAC honors for the 2021-22 season by the league's coaches. First year guard Annie Canales, North Adams, Mass., Hoosac High School, earned Second Team All-NAC honors while senior guard Kelsey Brown, Scotia, N.Y., Scotia-Glenville High School, was named to the league's Sportsmanship Team.

The talented duo led the Fighting Tigers to a second place regular season finish in the NAC Western Division Championship as Cobleskill posted a 13-11 overall record including an 8-4 record in conference play to earn a bid to the league championship tournament.

With her selection to the All-NAC Second Team, Massachusetts native Annie Canales showed a well-rounded game over the course of the year averaging 11.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.2 steals per game in 24 appearances including seven starts on the year shooting 35.0% from the field and 65.2% from the free throw line. The North Adams, Mass. native scored in double figures 15 times during the regular season and was one of the top three-point shooters in the nation with 60 made from long-rang this year.
 
When speaking about the Hoosac High School alumnus Fighting Tiger Head Coach Megan Bowman had high words of praise.

"This selection is a direct result of the confidence her teammates have in her and the work she put in throughout the course of our season. While recruiting Annie I thought we were getting just a shooter; every practice and game she showed us something different. Though she is one of the best Division III shooters in the country she can also get to the rim, is an exceptional passer, and is one of the best defenders on the hardwood. Annie is a huge reason for the success we saw this season and a driving force to help get us through our adversities. To receive this award in her rookie campaign is a testimony to the future of our team and the future of our program."

With her being named to the NAC Sportsmanship Team, senior Kelsey Brown was chosen as an embodiment of the league's theme of "Creating an Atmosphere of Respect" for each of its sports. The establishment of the Sportsmanship Team in all sports is in concert with the league's ultimate goal to create an atmosphere that places the highest regard for exemplary behavior of all participants, coaches, administrators, fans and officials.

On the court during the regular season in 23 appearances including 10 starts the Scotia, N.Y. native averaged 2.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.0 steals per game.

Coach Bowman, who also coached Brown at Scotia Glenville High School, had high praise for the senior guard's leadership ability and the example that she has set as a student-athlete. 

"I have had the honor of coaching Kelsey Brown both at Scotia-Glenville High School and here at SUNY Cobleskill, in both roles, Kelsey has been my silent leader since day one. She is the perfect example of what it means to be a successful student-athlete and leader on a college campus. Although she is one of the best defenders I have coached the last six years, she is an even better person. I have learned so much from her presence on our team that I know will reflect in my coaching and the style of our team for years to come."

The Fighting Tigers will next be in action on Friday February 18 when they travel to Marcy, N.Y. to meet the SUNY Canton Kangaroos in the Semifinal Round of the NAC Western Division Championship Tournament hosted by the Wildcats of the SUNY Polytechnic Institute with tip-off scheduled for 7:30 p.m.