HAMMOND, La. – Southeastern Louisiana junior guard Celica Sterling was named to the 2018-19 Louisiana Sports Writers Association (LSWA) Women's Basketball Teams, which were released by the LSWA on Saturday.
 
Sterling, a Baton Rouge native, was an honorable mention selection. The postseason honor was the latest for the second-generation Lady Lion and daughter of former SLU All-American Sharon Berry. Sterling was an honorable mention All-Southland Conference selection last month.
 
The Baton Rouge native was Southeastern's leading scorer in her debut season out of Baton Rouge Community College. Sterling's team-high 13.8 points per game put her among the Southland's top 10 scorers. Much of her damage was done behind the arc, as her 65 total three-point field goals and 2.2 three-point field goals per game were both good for third in the league. Sterling also ranked sixth in the conference with a 37.6 three-point field goal percentage.
 
Sterling scored in double figures in 21 games this season and posted six games of 20 or more points. Her best scoring performance came in a 63-62 win at SMU, where she scored 29 points and set a Moody Coliseum record with eight three-point field goals.
 
"This is a very deserving honor for Celica," Southeastern head coach Ayla Guzzardo commented. "She worked very hard to have an immediate impact in her first season out of junior college. We have a bright future as a program and Celica's going to be a huge part of our success."
 
Sterling, Charliee Dugas, Tyler Morrison and Caitlin Williams comprise a solid returning nucleus for 2019-20, while newcomers Bren'naisa Adams, Hailey Giarantano, Daija Harvey, Alexius Horne and Jaylen Huderson will provide an influx of new talent.
 
Nicholls' Cassidy Barrios was named Player of the Year, while Kelsey Thaxton of LSU-Alexandria was tabbed the state's top freshman. Xavier's Jas Hill (Newcomer of the Year) and Bo Browder (Coach of the Year) took the other individual honors.
 
The All-Louisiana teams were selected by the state's sports information directors and select media members.
 
2018-19 LSWA Women's Basketball Teams
 
Player of the Year: Cassidy Barrios, Nicholls
Freshman of the Year: Kelsey Thaxton, LSU-Alexandria
Newcomer of the Year: Jas Hill, Xavier
Coach of the Year: Bo Browder, Xavier
 
First Team
Cassidy Barrios, Nicholls
Kierra Anthony, Louisiana Tech
Shakyla Hill, Grambling
Ayana Mitchell, LSU
Danyale Bayonee, LSU-Alexandria
 
Second Team
Krystal Freeman, Tulane
Jas Hill, Xavier
Monette Bolden, Bossier Parish CC
Alyssa Washington, Dillard
Kelsey Thaxton, LSU-Alexandria
 
Third Team
Khayla Pointer, LSU
Shania Woods, New Orleans
Kalia Anthony, Loyola
Arsula Clark, ULM
Brandi Williams, UL Lafayette
 
Honorable Mention: Celica Sterling, Southeastern Louisiana; Kayla Watson, BRCC; Ty'Reona Doucet, UL Lafayette; Megan Worry, Loyola.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Southeastern Women's Basketball, follow @SoutheasternWBB on Twitter, like /SoutheasternWBB on Facebook and subscribe to the SLUathletics YouTube channel.
 
CLEAR BAG POLICY
Southeastern Athletics has instituted a clear bag policy for all ticketed events, effective with the start of the 2018 football season. For more information on the clear bag policy, visit www.LionSports.net/clear.