Jessilyn Artaho-Aki, a Kapa‘a High School girls basketball standout, was named the North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) inaugural Rookie of the Year Tuesday. A freshman at Wells College, Aki appeared in all 25 of the Express matches this past season,
Jessilyn Artaho-Aki, a Kapa‘a High School girls basketball standout, was named the North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) inaugural Rookie of the Year Tuesday.
A freshman at Wells College, Aki appeared in all 25 of the Express matches this past season, finishing fifth in the NEAC with 83 total assists, sixth in steals with 59, and 14th in total points at 278, states the NEAC website.
The former Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation player from Kapa‘a High School also helped Wells College to eight victories this season, doubling its win total from last year’s inaugural season.
Aki was first in each of the categories among all rookies considered for the honor.
Joining Aki in the NEAC honors, team mate Ashley Roser, a sophomore forward from Taberg, N.Y., was named to the NEAC First Team.
Other members of the NEAC First Team included Lyndsey Brognano of SUNY Institute of Technology (NEAC Player of the Year), Sabrina Jarmolinski of the College of Saint Elizabeth, Lauren Heliger of the Lancaster Bible College and Danielle Gravel of Keuka College.
Nichole Degenhardt, coach from the College of Saint Elizabeth, was selected by her peers as the NEAC Coach of the Year after leading the Screaming Eagles to a second place finish in the NEAC South Division with a 13-5 record, finishing 16-9, overall.
Degenhardt also helped the Eagles secure a post-season spot in the NEAC Championship Tournament, where the team hosted a playoff game for the first time ever, squaring off against Lancaster Bible College in the quarterfinals, Tuesday night
The NEAC has 13 NCAA Division III members, including Cazenovia College, College of Saint Elizabeth, Gallaudet University, Keuka College, Lancaster Bible College, Pennsylvania State University-Abington, Pennsylvania State University-Berks, Pennsylvania State University-Harrisburg, SUNY Cobleskill, SUNY Institute of Technology, SUNY Morrisville State College, Wells College and Wilson College.
Wells College women’s basketball finished 6-11 in NEAC play and 8-17 overall.
Visit www.wells-express.com or neacsports.com for more information.
