Link: USA South Release
After leading the LaGrange College women's basketball team to the third best record in the USA South West Division in 2021, senior captain Jahpera McEachin and junior Jalaya Lewis were named to the USA South All-Conference West Division first and second team, respectively, on Friday.
McEachin was named to the West Division second team at the end of the 2019-20 season. Sophomore center Jada Strickland represented the Panthers on the conference's 2021 All-Sportsmanship team.
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"Jahpera is one of the most complete women's basketball players that has ever put on a Panther jersey," said LaGrange College women's basketball head coach Jasen Jonus. "She was a joy to coach and set a great foundation for the younger players to live up to. Jalaya made huge strides this year. She put up impressive numbers, but her aggressive defensive mindset and versatility took our team to another level. Jada is a source of positivity and an incredibly hard worker, so it was great to see her honored."
McEachin averaged 19.3 points this year, the most by any Panther in a single season in program history. The scoring average was the fourth best in the USA South. In the conference, she ranked second in 3-point percentage (42.4), second in free-throw percentage (87.0), second in assists (5.8) and sixth in steals (2.7).
The 5-foot-5 guard tied the program's single-game assists record with 14 in a 106-25 season-opening victory over Agnes Scott on Jan. 15. McEachin recorded four double-doubles, two with points and assists and two with points and rebounds.
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The Federal Way, Washington, native scored a career-high 27 points, to go along with 10 rebounds, during a 75-60 triumph over Huntingdon on Feb. 14. McEachin shot 9 of 14 from the field, 4 of 5 on 3-pointers and 5 for 5 from the charity stripe.
McEachin scored 25 or more points five times. On Jan. 25, she became the first Panther to earn USA South Women's Basketball Player of the Week honors since Marilauren Farr '19 on Nov. 19, 2018.
McEachin finished with five steals three times and corralled a career-high 12 rebounds against then-No. 12-ranked Maryville on Feb. 18. She ranks fourth in program history in career points per game (12.0) and 10th in made 3-pointers (92).
Lewis averaged 11.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.1 steals. The 5-foot-5 guard recorded five or more rebounds six times, five or more assists twice and four or more steals on three occasions.
The St. Simons Island, Georgia, native scored in double figures nine times. She dropped a career and game-high 20 points in a 79-56 win at Huntingdon on Feb. 12.
Lewis made huge strides with her long-range shooting. She connected on 20 3-pointers after only making two during her first two years. Lewis buried a career-high four treys, to go along with 18 points, six rebounds and three steals, in a 69-56 win at Covenant on Jan. 23.
Assistant Sports Information Director Trevor Wenners can be reached at twenners@lagrange.edu.
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