SOUTHFIELD, Mich. - Days following the official release that the Lawrence Tech women's basketball team will make its first postseason appearance, the Blue Devils received more good news as the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) has announced its 2014-15 yearly awards.
Headlining the list of LTU representatives is Allison Kitchen (SO/Clio, MI) and Hali Butler (JR/Fairport Harbor, OH), both All-Conference Honorable Mention selections as voted on by 12 league head coaches. Kitchen and Butler join former Blue Devil Jackie Hood ('14) as the only other LTU recipients of the award in the program's three-year history.
Kitchen followed last season's All-Conference Newcomer Team nod with a breakout sophomore campaign, leading the Blue and White in scoring per game (15.0), steals per game (2.5), and minutes per game (33.7). The Clio, Mich. product also set seven new program records, including most points scored in a season (368), highest scoring average per game in a season (15), and most field goals made in a season (138).
The combo guard wrapped up the season with several National Association of Intercollegiate Athletic (NAIA) and WHAC rankings as well. Kitchen is ranked second nationally in field goal percentage, shooting just over 60 percent from the floor - the highest finish by any Blue Devil in any statistical category. Other national rankings include: 35th in steals per game (2.5) and 46th in total steals (64). In the conference, the past Champion of Character award winner, holds six rankings inside the top-10, while four are in the top-six.
Despite being limited to just 18 games due to injury, Butler proved she's among the conference's best, averaging nearly a double-double with 10.6 points per game and 8.0 rebounds per game. The former Player of the Week honoree led the Blue Devils in rebounding for the second straight season, while improving on her six LTU career records.
Ineligible for conference rankings due to percentage of games missed, Butler would have ranked inside the top-20 in five different categories, including points per game, rebounding per game, and field throw percentage.
Rounding out the list of 2014-15 awards winner is Hayley Walkowski (FR/Marshall, MI) and Allison Bicknell (JR/Waterford, MI). Known primarily for their play on the court, the duo are also great representatives off it. Walkowski was named to the Champions of Character team for her embodiment of the NAIA Live 5 core values: respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, servant leadership, and integrity.
Bicknell, a team-captain, earns All-Academic honors for her dedication in the classroom, holding a 3.43 GPA in media communication.
The two guards finished the regular season combining for 20 points, six rebounds, and five assists per game. The 20-point average, accounts for 27 percent of the total Blue Devil points per game.
For a complete list of WHAC award winners, click HERE.
