Mississippi State’s Rickea Jackson has earned a place on the 2022 Cheryl Miller Award preseason watch list, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced Wednesday.
This is Jackson’s second consecutive appearance on the list for the Cheryl Miller Award, given to the nation’s best small forward. The Detroit native was named one of 10 finalists for the award last season.
As a sophomore, Jackson led Mississippi State in scoring at 14.9 points per game and finished third on the team in both rebounds per game (4.4) and assists per game (2.0). Jackson scored at least 15 points 11 times and eclipsed the 20-point mark three times.
Her best performance of the year came at home against Troy when she scored 30-points on 11-of-20 shooting, including 6 of 10 from 3-point range.
Three other SEC players were named to the Miller Award watch list: Rhyne Howard of Kentucky, Rae Burrell of Tennessee and Kayla Wells of Texas A&M.
Women’s soccer
D’Aloise named to SEC community service team
Mississippi State soccer player Alyssa D’Aloise has been named to the SEC Community Service Team, the conference announced Tuesday.
“Alyssa is somebody who works so hard to give back,” Bulldogs coach James Armstrong said. “We are incredibly proud of her receiving this award and for her efforts to have been realized.”
The senior midfielder volunteers with Tupelo FC, a youth soccer club in Starkville. D’Aloise runs multiple groups through a skills station focusing on finishing and coaches players ranging in age from 6 to 17 on proper shooting technique and placement.
“Everyone is in need of help sometimes, and we are called to lend a helping hand,” D’Aloise said. “Life has given me blessings, and it’s important to share that with my community by helping and encouraging others, namely the kids I work with at TFC.”
Throughout her high school career, D’Aloise was actively involved with FC Dallas’ Special Olympics team as a partner helping children compete against other MLS clubs’ Special Olympics programs. When her two years of eligibility expired, she continued to volunteer with the program at tryouts and scrimmages.
The SEC names a Community Service Team for each of its 21 league-sponsored sports, looking to highlight an athlete from each school who gives back to the community through superior service efforts.
Golf
Bulldogs close fall season at Old Waverly
Freshman Julia Lopez Ramirez carded a 3-under 69 during the third round of The Ally, leading Mississippi State to a fourth-place finish in the season-ending event.
Lopez Ramirez cemented the third top-10 finish of her young with her three-day total of 7-under. She sank the third-most birdies at the event with 15.
Mississippi State’s 54-hole total of 7-under 857 is the sixth-lowed in team history.
“As a whole, I’m really proud of this team,” Bulldogs coach Charlie Ewing said. “We had a lot of really good flashes and played some really good golf throughout the fall semester. What’s really exciting as we head into the spring semester is that we finished on a pretty strong note.
“We have a really special team, and I am just so proud of the girls.”
Blair Stockett and Hannah Levi tied for 11th at 214. Stockett birdied Nos. 12-15 to climb up the leaderboard, while Levi’s eagle on No. 15 highlighted her round.
Levi’s eagle started a trend for her group, as Florida’s Jackie Lucena and Alabama’s Polly Maker also earned eagles on the hole.
Ashley Gilliam carded a third-round score of 1-over 73 to bring her three-day total to 7-over 223, tied for 39th, while Abbey Daniel finished tied for 62nd with a score of 15-over.
EMCC shows 11-stroke improvement at Windance
The East Mississippi Community College men’s golf team completed fall tournament competition with a 10th-place finish at the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Fall Invitational.
The MACCC’s third tournament of the fall season took place Monday and Tuesday at Windance Country Club in Gulfport.
As they did during their fall opener at Eagle Ridge in Raymond, the Lions made a double-digit stroke improvement between rounds by carding a 349 during Tuesday’s final round after totaling 360 the day prior. Host Gulf Coast (293-291—584) claimed a 7-stroke team victory over runner-up Meridian (295-296—591). Gulf Coast’s Chase Kaiser (70-69—139) earned medalist honors over Meridian’s Diego Leslie (70-73—143) by four shots.
Matthew Phillips led the way for the second straight tournament by tying for 29th place overall after firing a 5-over-par 77 on Tuesday to finish with a two-day total of 160.
EMCC’s Payton Chandler (90-88—178) was next for the Lions in 53rd place, followed by teammates Will Teague (95-89—184/56th), Lawson Studdard (92-95—187/57th), and Thomas Jackson (113-101/60th).
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