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Basketballers continue to reap honors

Three of Grambling State Tigers Basketball players were selected for ALL- LSWA College Basketball team. Brion Rush, Juleen Smith, and Macey Cormier. Brion rush was named as a third team select. This marks the second post-season award that he has received at the conclusion of the 2004-05 season. In addition, Rush was also a second team All-LSWA selection last year.

When ask about feelings for being choose for this award Rush stated, “It is an honor to be chosen. Being chosen proves to me that my hard work in the off-season paid- off. The award motivates me to work even harder for next season.”

The 6-foot-2 inch, 175-pound, Shreveport native was a first team All- Southwestern Athletic Conference selection in the backcourt. He averaged 17.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.04 assists and 1.68 steals per game along with blocking seven shots during the past season. Rush also shot 77.8 percent from the free throw line, 38.7 percent from the floor and 36.5 percent from three-point range. Rush currently has 1,511 points for his career while averaging 18.0 points per game over the course of 84 games played at GSU.

“I feel the award brings motivation, dedication, and relaxation,” Rush said.

Also receiving postseason acknowledgement is Grambling State’s junior guard Juleen Smith. She was named the Louisiana Sportswriters Association’s (LSWA) College Basketball Newcomer-of-the-Year. This marks the second Newcomer-of-the- Year award that she has received during this postseason along with being a third team All-LSWA College selection. This all-star team was voted upon by a panel of sports information directors and media representatives throughout the state.

“My continued work ethic has finally paid-off. I credit my mom, coaches, and teammates for my success,” Smith said when asked about the award.

This 5-foot-6 inch Inglewood, California native was named the Southwestern Athletic Conference’s Newcomer-of-the-Year along with being a second-team All- SWAC selection in the backcourt. This Oregon State transfer finished the 2004-05 season by averaging 16.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.96 assists and 2.2 steals per game. Smith also shot 74.3 percent from the free throw line and 32.3 percent from the floor. In addition, she also earned All-SWAC tournament honors in the 2005 tournament.

“Receiving this award forces me to work harder for next year,” Smith said.

She has also said that she has already started training for next season.

Center Lacey Cormier earned All-LSWA Honorable Mention honors by averaging 9.1 points, 10.9 rebounds and 3.32 blocked shots per game during the season. She also had 20 steals and twelve assists for the season while being ranked nationally in both rebounding (ninth) and blocked shots (tenth). This New Orleans, Louisiana native was named the SWAC’s Defensive Player-of-the-Year while being a first team All- SWAC selection. Cormier was not available for comments.