Blinn College sophomore guard Hailey Atwood (Austin) was named a first-team All-American after finishing eighth in the nation with 443 total points in 24 games.
“It is really significant for me to be named a first-team All-American and be recognized for my hard work,” Atwood said. “It was definitely a team effort and had a lot to do with my coaches because they pushed me every day in practice and saw my potential. This team is special because we all care about each other and want to push each other to better, and that is what makes teams successful.”
Atwood, who is signed with the University of Texas at San Antonio, was also named the Region XIV Women’s Basketball Player of the Year after leading the 23rd-ranked Buccaneers to the regional tournament semifinals.
“I am so excited for Hailey and it is great to see success come to a person who works so hard in every practice and game,” head coach Jeff Jenkins said. “Blinn College will always be appreciative of her leadership on and off the court. It does not happen very often that your All-American has a 4.0 grade point average and is passionate about community and service off the court.”
Atwood led the region with 18.5 points per game and was fourth in the region with a field goal percentage of 50%. She was second on the Buccaneers with seven rebounds and 2.7 assists per game. Atwood totaled six double-doubles and scored a season-high 34 points against Bossier Parish Community College on March 29.
She also earned Region XIV all-tournament honors after leading Blinn with 33 points and totaling nine rebounds in two games. Throughout Atwood’s two seasons starting for Blinn, she totaled 752 points and 305 rebounds.
“Starting at Blinn gave me two years to develop and polish my skills and play right away,” Atwood said. I am definitely grateful for this journey through junior college and I wouldn’t change it at all. It was just amazing to be able to play with such a good group of people who actually cared about each other and wanted to go out there and win.”
The Buccaneers finished the season ranked 23rd in the nation with an overall record of 18-6 and tied for second in the region with a 13-3 conference record. The Buccaneers defeated Paris Junior College 54-44 in the NJCAA Region XIV quarterfinals before their season concluded in semifinals.
Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 42 NJCAA national championships since 1987.
