Women's Basketball Holds Annual Postseason Awards Banquet

April 9, 2009

EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State women's basketball held its annual postseason awards banquet on Wednesday night to celebrate the 2008-09 season. During the ceremonies, the team awards were handed out.

Redshirt senior Mia Johnson highlighted the evening by being honored as the team's lone senior and was the recipient of the Most Valuable Player award. Johnson ended the season averaging 4.5 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game, but her play was invaluable down the stretch as she averaged 9.4 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.8 assists in 37.0 minutes over the Spartans' last five games. Johnson poured in a season-high 17 points in MSU's upset over No. 1-seed Duke in the NCAA Tournament Second Round, just hours after hitting the would-be game-winner against Middle Tennessee State in the NCAA First Round.

Redshirt freshman Lykendra Johnson made an immediate impact on the Spartans this season on both ends of the court, earning her the Defensive Player of the Year award. Johnson was second on the team in both steals (35) and blocks (27), while also being asked to guard the opponent's best player on many occasions throughout the season. She was also a force on the glass, finishing second on the team with 6.0 rebounds per contest and led the team with three double-doubles and six double-figure rebounding efforts. At season's end, Johnson was an unanimous selection to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team and was an honorable mention All-Big Ten choice.

Redshirt junior Lauren Aitch took home the team's Sixth Player award for the second-straight season. Aitch ended the season fourth on the team in scoring with 7.2 points per game, while also adding 3.6 rebounds, fourth-best, and a team-best 46.7 field goal percentage. She accomplished all this in only 16.5 minutes per game, having come off the bench in all but one game. Aitch's season was highlighted by her game-winning shot with 1.9 seconds remaining to beat Purdue in the Spartans' regular season finale. She had eight double-figure scoring efforts, including a career-high 25 points in the season-opener against Niagara.

Sophomore Cetera Washington was the recipient of two awards on the night, accepting the Most Improved Player and Spartan Hutsle awards. Washington's statistical numbers don't justify the impact that she had on the MSU team this season. She averaged 3.0 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 16.2 minutes per game, but was instrumental in the Spartans advancing to the Sweet 16, upping her averages to 7.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists in the last three games. Washington scored a season-high 12 points, to go along with six rebounds and six assists, in the NCAA First Round win over MTSU.

Redshirt junior Aisha Jefferson was honored with the Pat Canning Coaches Award. Having missed all of last season due to surgery on a torn ACL, Jefferson continued to battle injuries during the 2008-09 season, but fought through to lead the team in scoring (11.1 points per game) and place third with 5.2 rebounds per outing. A tri-captain and honorable mention All-Big Ten selection, Jefferson tied for the team-high with 18 double-figure scoring outings, including two double-doubles. Jefferson scored a career-best 34 points at nationally-ranked Notre Dame earlier this season; the total was the third most points scored in MSU history.

Freshman Taylor Alton was this year's winner of the Spartan Character Award. Alton appeared in only nine games in her first season in green and white, but also excelled off the court - in the classroom and the coummunity. Always one of the last players on the practice court and first players off the bench to congratulate a teammate, she showed the dedication that it takes to be a Spartan.

Rounding out the awards from the evening, Dr. John Faust, and Mark and Marilyn Jasonowicz were the recipients of the Most Valuable Supporter Award, and Julia Christiensen was the MVP Ball Club Most Spectacular Member.

Most Valauble Player: Mia Johnson
Defensive Player of the Year: Lykendra Johnson
Most Improved Player: Cetera Washington
6th Player Award: Lauren Aitch
Spartan Hustle Award: Cetera Washington
Pat Canning Coaches Award: Aisha Jefferson
Spartan Character Award: Taylor Alton
Most Valuable Supporter Award: Dr. John Faust, Mark & Marilyn Jasonowicz
MVP Ball Club Most Spectacular Member: Julia Christiensen