Waterville, Maine: Four members of the SUNY Cobleskill women's basketball team have been honored by the North Atlantic Conference (NAC) coaches for their efforts this year that propelled the Fighting Tigers to their first NAC Western Division Championship and a program best record of 25-1 including a perfect 12-0 record versus conference opponents.
 
Senior center Logan Thayne, Hoosick Falls, N.Y., Hoosick Falls High School, and junior forward Cara Walker, Phelps, N.Y., Midlakes High School, were both named to the All-NAC First team while junior guard/forward Antonia May, Amsterdam, N.Y., Amsterdam High School, earned a sport on the All-NAC Third Team. Senior guard Taylor Meacham, Berne, N.Y., Berne-Knox-Westerlo High School, was also honored by the league being named to the NAC Sportsmanship Team.
 
When speaking about these honorees and their accomplishments Fighting Tiger Head Coach Megan Bowman feels that the embracing of the team concept of play has led to not only the team's outstanding season but their individual excellence as well.
 
"I have been asked what makes this team so special, and the answer is very easy. Everyone has bought into their role, and everyone is ready for when their number is called."
 
During the season Logan Thayne proved to be a dominate force in the point for the Fighting Tigers posting 16 double/doubles in points and rebounds during the campaign while averaging 16.3 points, 10.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 2.2 blocked shots while shooting 54.9% from the field including 31.7% from three-point range and 79.2% from the free throw line. During the season the Hoosac Falls, N.Y., native was named NAC Play-of-the-Week twice and the NAC Defensive Player-of-the-Week once.
 
When speaking about her senior center coach Bowman raves about her work ethic, the way she approaches the game and how her contributions go beyond statistics.
 
"Since they very first day she stepped onto campus. She is a professional in every sense of the word and she does so much more for our team than any box score could ever portray
Junior forward Cara Walker demonstrated a well-rounded game over the course of the campaign averaging 12.8 points, 8.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.9 steals per game while shooting 46.0% from the field and 71.6% from the free throw line. Over the course of the season the Phelps, N.Y. was named the NAC Defensive-Player-of-the-Week once while posting eight double/doubles in points and rebounds along with a triple double in points, rebounds and assists.
 
According to Coach Bowman Walker, a transfer from SUNY Morrisville, because of the well roundedness of her game both offensively and defensively along with her unselfish attitude has given the team more diversity and flexibility in attacking opponents.
 
 "When Cara committed to us in the offseason, we knew our team reached a new height of competitiveness and ability defend. She is positionless in what she can do for us defending both on the ball and off the ball. Walker is the type of player that will do anything her team needs of her; whether that is scoring, passing, rebounding, or of course taking charges." 
 
Junior guard/forward Antonia May provided the Orange & Black with a stopper on the defensive end of the floor and a diverse skill set on the offensive end of the court as the Amsterdam, N.Y. native averaged 10.9 points, 5.4 rebound, 2.1 assists, 1.8 blocked shots and 0.8 steals per game while shooting 43.8% from the field, 33.3% from three-point range and 77.8% from the free throw line.
 
When speaking about Antonia May, a transfer from University of Maryland Baltimore County, Bowman talks about her being a two-way player who has a unique skill set among the players in the league.
 
"Toni simply put can do anything at any time. If you need a downhill drive, she's your player. If you need her to create a dump down to Thayne, she's your player. Recently we've have been most impressed with her ability to defend and any position on the court. Simply put, she is one of the most dangerous two-way players in our league."
 
Senior team captain Taylor Meacham was named to the conference's Sportsmanship Team. The sportsmanship team honors student-athletes in keeping with the conference'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.
The selection of her senior captain to the Sportsmanship Team came as no surprise to Coach Bowman who praised her not only for her playing ability but for the way she represents the institution.
 
"We believe Taylor is one of the best guards in the league, it isn't shocking for her to also be recognized as one of the best people in the league. Despite her drive to win and compete, Taylor never loses sight of what being a leader for the Cobleskill community means."
 
The Fighting Tigers will next be in action on Saturday February 24 when they travel to Castine, Maine for the NAC Championship Game to be hosted by the league's Eastern Division Champion Mariners of the Maine Maritime Academy with tip-off scheduled for 2:00 p.m.