Carlin, a senior from Walker, is the fifth member of the women’s basketball program to earn Female Athlete of the Year status. Previous Lady Lion winners include Millie Williams (1991-92), Rena Faust (1994-95), Deneka Knowles (1995-96) and Stacey Turner (1999-00).
A first team All-Southland Conference, All-Louisiana and Southland Conference All-Academic selection, Carlin was the top player on a Lady Lion squad that won its second Southland Conference East Division championship in the past three years. Finishing 19-11 overall and 11-5 in SLC play, Carlin and her teammates posted the program’s most successful regular season since 1994-95, when the team finished 21-8 overall. The 11 wins in league play were the most by the Lady Lions since joining the SLC prior to the 1997-98 season.
An honorable mention All-SLC selection as a junior, Carlin raised her game to another level in her senior season. As the unquestioned go-to player on the Lady Lions, Carlin finished the season fourth in the Southland Conference in scoring with 15.1 points per game. The senior also ranked among the SLC leaders in rebounding (7.8, 8th), free throw percentage (77.5, 8th), double-doubles (five, 8th) and three-point field goal percentage (36.4, 10th). Carlin’s 39 three-pointers were good for third on the team, as the Lady Lions connected on a SLC single-season record 220 field goals from behind the arc.
Carlin’s senior campaign put a cap on one of the best careers by a women’s basketball student-athlete in school history. Finishing her career seventh on the school’s career list in scoring (1,279 points) and rebounding (646 rebounds), Carlin is one of seven student-athletes in school history to rank in the top 10 in both categories. Carlin also ranks among the program’s career leaders in field goals made (472, 8th), free throws made (267, 6th), free throw percentage (77.8, 2nd), three-point field goal percentage (.358, 7th) and games played (115, 2nd).
