University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) women’s basketball student-athlete Ashukamayah Phillips was voted to the All-Historically Black College and University Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) Preseason Second Team, while the Lady Buccaneers are expected to finish 13th in the conference as voted by the HBCUAC head women’s basketball coaches.
The sophomore guard started in all 19 contests for UVI last season. As a freshman, Phillips led the team in scoring, averaging 13.6 points per game, and scored in double-digits in 14 of her team’s 19 games. The 5-foot-7 guard’s best performances came in her home debut where she had a 23-point outing and in the regular season finale where she erupted for a career-high 31 points on 50% shooting from the field as her team upset the Tougaloo Lady Bulldogs.
Phillips finished in the top 10 in the HBCUAC in points per game, three-point field goals made, and points scored where she finished fourth, sixth, and 10th, respectively. Phillips also won GCAC Newcomer of the Week in the final week of the regular season.
First-year head coach Stephanie Cooper shared her excitement when Phillips received the honor. “I’m happy for Ashukamayah. After having a breakout freshman season, she’s been working hard since our first official day of practice and I think the teammates that she has to push her will help to elevate her game even further.”
Phillips is joined by Dasia Turner of Philander Smith, Farrah Pearson of Stillman College, La’Daja Caldwell of Talladega College and Morgan Williams of Tougaloo College on the Preseason All-HBCUAC Second Team.
The UVI women’s basketball team is predicted to finish 13th in the HBCUAC after going 3-13 last season during conference play. “Only up to go from here,” said Cooper. “The change begins with having a championship mindset and I think this group of women and our coaching staff have that.”
The Lady Bucs will get their first chance to prove themselves against their HBCUAC foes when they take the floor against Philander Smith University on Thursday, December 5.
