Heather English of Columbia College Named 2011-12 AMC Women's Basketball Player of the Year

March 5, 2012

St. Louis, Mo. - The American Midwest Conference has announced its All-Conference team for the 2011-12 season. The recipients were selected based on a vote of the league's eight head coaches.

In just her second year in the league, Heather English of Columbia College has been selected as the AMC Women's Basketball Player of the Year. English, a sophomore guard from Boonville, Mo., was named the AMC Freshman of the Year last season and had a successful second season at Columbia, averaging 14.8 points in all contests and 16.1 points per game in conference play. The 6-0 guard grabbed an average of almost five rebounds a game and dished out 76 assists. English has led the Lady Cougars in scoring all season and had 23 contests where she finished in double figures through the regular season, including 16 contests in a row.

This year's AMC Newcomer of the Year award was presented to Ashley Wilson of Hannibal-LaGrange University. Wilson, a 6-0 junior, spent her first season with the Trojans after attending Perdue University. The Westmont, Ill., native led the conference in scoring and rebounding this season with 15.4 points and 10.03 rebounds per contest and led Hannibal with 26 blocks. Ashley topped 17 points and 11 rebounds during conference games with a 59 percent shooting percentage.

Ashleigh Spencer of Hannibal-LaGrange University has been honored as the 2011-12 AMC Freshman of the Year. Spencer, a forward from Adelaide, Australia was picked as the conference's top rookie player after averaging 14.4 points per contest, which was second on the Trojans' squad. She was also second on the team in rebounding with 5.5 rebounds per outing.

For leading his Lady Cougar program to their fourth straight regular season title, Mike Davis of Columbia College has been named the 2011-12 AMC Women's Basketball Coach of the Year. Davis has guided Columbia to a record of 266-111 during his 11 year span. The Cougars went 22-8 during the 2011-12 regular season and 12-2 in AMC play. This is the sixth time that Davis has been recognized the AMC Coach of the Year.

Listed below is the complete list of 2011-12 AMC women's basketball award winners.

2011-12 AMC Women's Basketball All-Conference Team

2011-12 AMC Player of the Year: Heather English, Columbia College (G, So., Boonville, Mo.)

2011-12 AMC Newcomer of the Year: Ashley Wilson, Hannibal-LaGrange University (F, 6-0, Jr., Westmont, Ill.)

2011-12 AMC Freshman of the Year: Ashleigh Spencer, Hannibal-LaGrange University (F, 6-0, Fr., Adelaide, Australia)

2011-12 AMC Coach of the Year: Mike Davis, Columbia College (11th season at Columbia, record of 22-8 overall and 12-2 in AMC play*)

* -- Record through end of the 2011-12 regular season

First-Team All-Conference

Heather English, Columbia College (G, So., Boonville, Mo.)

Julie Teeple, Columbia College (F, Jr., Versailles, Mo.)

Ashley Wilson, Hannibal-LaGrange University (G, Jr., Westmont, Ill.)

Ashleigh Spencer, Hannibal-LaGrange University (F, Fr., Adelaide, Australia)

Tonette Murphy, Harris-Stowe State University (G, Sr., St. Louis, Mo.)

Andrea Seabaugh, Missouri Baptist University (G, Sr., Columbia, Mo.)

Vivian Holcomb, Park University (G, So., Indianapolis, Ind.)

Sharron Andrews, William Woods University (G, Sr., Oakland, Calif.)

Megan Aubuchon, William Woods University (F, Sr., Old Monroe, Mo.)

Jessica Shepard, Williams Baptist College (G, Sr., Leachville, Ark.)

Honorable Mention All-Conference

Airelle Eldridge, Columbia College (G, Sr., Baltimore, Md.)

Kayla Fisher, Harris-Stowe State University (G, Jr., Chicago, Ill.)

Brianna Beridon-Polley, Park University (G, Jr., Chino Hills, Calif.)

Jessica McConnell, Stephens College (G, Jr., Edwardsville, Ill.)

Kala Tyus, Williams Baptist College (F, Sr., Maury City, Tenn.)

Academic All-Conference (minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale)

Columbia College

Kaitlin Bogle, Amanda Phillips, Julie Teeple

Hannibal-LaGrange University

Rebecca DeRidder, Kara Glor, Candice Lovings, Kelsie Smith, Ashleigh Spencer

Harris-Stowe State University

Nicki Buford, Kayla Gibson, Agnes Hayibor, Sheila Phillips, KeAris Vaughn

Missouri Baptist University

Melissa Bollinger, Haley Elders, Janelle Hensold, Iesha McDaniel, Andrea Seabaugh, Lauren Taylor, Kayla Tisza

Park University

Brianna Beridon-Polley, Danila Fabbri, Joanna Matthews, Carla McKinney, Halima Ramsey, Nicole Wilhite, Oasha White

Stephens College

Katie Arnet, Rachel Barlow, Logan Blagg, Danielle Caldwell, Alex Greenwood, Alex Hoffman, Haley Kahrs, Jessica McConnell, Davielle McCoy, Megan Sheffield, Andie Young

William Woods University

Sharron Andrews, Megan Aubuchon, Debra Boyd, Michaela Brinkley, Stephanie Copelin, Lindsey Cornelius, Blake French, Miranda Loesch, Rachel Rutter, Katie Scherder, Paige Stewart, Olivia Storjohann, Ashlee Taylor

Williams Baptist College

Becky Caldwell, Meagan Goza, Olivia Morris, Kylie Oertel, Jessica Shepard, Kim Sutterfield, Katie Thomas, Haley Tyler