Due to COVID, the Cougar Women's Basketball team hasn't had an End of the Season Awards Ceremony since 2019. In a time of all things virtual, CBC will follow suit. Below are the end of season awards for CBC Women's Basketball Team:
The most important honor Coach Purswell started with is that of the Academic Recognition of Brianna Martinez. Brianna is from Edinburg, Texas and will graduate on time in May with her Associates degree, the lone sophomore on the team will complete her basketball career but continue her pursuit of her Bachelor's degree at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Athletic honors go to Brianna as she takes home the HEART AWARD. "This goes to a player who kept fighting and overcoming throughout the course of the year." "Brianna grew a lot and improved a lot throughout the year as a player," Coach Purswell added. Brianna scored 154 points which was good enough for fourth on the team, averaging 6.7 points per game and connecting on 36% of her shots which was second on the team. Martinez improved in every statistical category from her freshman to her sophomore season. She made 59 field goals which was third on the team this season, which was 45 more than her freshman season.
Second award is the Cougar Award. "This award is for the person who leads the cougar way and takes care of business in all facets. They show up and work and go home and work some more." This award goes to Cierra Zapata. Zapata a freshman guard from Prairie Lea, Texas playing in all 23 of the Cougars contests. Cierra scored the sixth most points on the team at 129, seventh in points per game at 5.6. She was also third in free throws made with 34 while shooting 75% from the free throw line. "The hard work Cierra continued to put in all season long really showed late in the season. Coach could see that in her confidence as she scored double digits three of the last seven games." noted Coach Purswell.
The next award is the Coaches Award. "This award exemplifies who would take the coaches spot if they were not to show up. Who would handle practice and make the team compete and compete in all areas." This award goes to Asia Wheeler, a freshman from Cleveland, Texas was a steady point guard for the Cougars this season averaging 4.3 assists per game and only turning the ball over 69 times. Asia was among the team leaders in most stat categories third in points at 164, fourth in points per game at 7.1, and was second on the team in; free throws made at 46, free throw percentage at 80% and 3-point percentage with 32.6%. Coach Purswell said, "a lot of Asia's contributions do not always show up in the box score and she does a great job of managing the game on the floor as a decision maker."
The final award is the MVP-Most Valuable Player. "This goes to the player who dominated on the court." And did she ever dominate!" Expressed Coach Purswell. "She averaged 16.3 points per game and her top three point totals 34, 24, and 23 respectfully. And only scored single digits once in 23 games." This award goes to Savanna Smith, Savanna is a freshman from Houston, Texas who was named NJCAA Region 14 All-Conference Honorable Mention, finished second in the region in total points, second in free throws made and third in points per game. Smith also led the team in points per game, total points (374), free throws made (82), field goals made (133) and field goal percentage (38%).
Purswell wrapped up the awards by saying, "these young ladies absolutely took care of business in the COVID era and completed a 23 games season and put themselves in the CBC record books. I couldn't be more proud of what we accomplished."