Gianna Messina Named First Team All Conference; Tiara Cook Also Recognized

ORLANDO, Fla. - University of Tampa women's basketball player Gianna Messina was selected as a first-team member of the 2008-09 All-Sunshine State Conference Women's Basketball Team, announced Thursday by Commissioner Michael J. Marcil. Tiara Cook was also named honorable mention.

Voting for the all-conference team is conducted among the league's women's basketball coaches and sports information directors. Nova Southeastern's Stephanie Sarosi was named SSC Player of the Year for the second consecutive season, while Florida Tech's Lynisha Nelson was named Defensive Player of the Year. Florida Southern's Megan Dzikas earned Freshman of the Year honors, and Eckerd's Paul Honsinger was tabbed Coach of the Year.

Joining Messina, Sarosi and Nelson on the all-SSC first team were Chelsea Johnson (Florida Southern) and Olivia Nagle (Eckerd). Receiving all-SSC second team recognition were Mariesa Greene (Barry), Ashley Lutz (Eckerd), Jessica Pressley (Rollins), Ines Teuma (Rollins), and Jade Williams (Lynn). Cook was the lone player named honorable mention.

Five student-athletes were selected to the all-freshman team. Joining Dzikas were Madeleine Doyle (Lynn), Michaela Hawley (Florida Southern), Ashton McClairen (Florida Tech), and Paris Moore (Rollins).

Messina, a sophomore from Tampa, led UT to the program's third SSC regular season championship while leading the Spartans in points (13.6), rebounds (6.8), assists (94) and steals (40). Her play down the stretch helped Tampa to the SSC title as she scored double figures in the final seven games, including five 20-plus scoring efforts and one game with 30.

Cook, a junior from Holiday, Fla., ranked second to Messina with 11.6 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. Her .512 shooting percentage ranked first on the team. She finished the regular season with double figures in the last six games. During the span, she also recorded three double-doubles.

2008-09 ALL-SUNSHINE STATE CONFERENCE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM

FIRST TEAM
Chelsea Johnson, Florida Southern, Sophomore
Gianna Messina, Tampa, Sophomore
Olivia Nagle, Eckerd, Senior
Lynisha Nelson, Florida Tech, Sophomore
Stephanie Sarosi, Nova Southeastern, Junior

Player of the Year - Stephanie Sarosi, Nova Southeastern
Defensive Player of the Year - Lynisha Nelson, Florida Tech
Freshman of the Year - Megan Dzikas, Florida Southern
Coach of the Year - Paul Honsinger, Eckerd

SECOND TEAM
Mariesa Greene, Barry, Sophomore
Ashley Lutz, Eckerd, Sophomore
Jessica Pressley, Rollins, Junior
Ines Teuma, Rollins, Senior
Jade Williams, Lynn, Senior

HONORABLE MENTION
Tiara Cook, Tampa, Junior

ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM
Madeleine Doyle, Lynn
Megan Dzikas, Florida Southern
Michaela Hawley, Florida Southern
Ashton McClairen, Florida Tech
Paris Moore, Rollins