Women's D-III News Names Erica King to All-Freshman Team

BEAVERTON, Ore. – DC's Erica King was recognized as one of the top young NCAA Div. III women's basketball players in the country with her recent selection to the D-III News All-Freshman Team. The Pettisville, Ohio native was one of 11 players in the nation to receive the distinction. [Women's D-III News Release]

"I am very happy for Erica to receive this honor," said head coach, Dic Doumanian. "It is well deserved, she had a heck of a freshman year."

After impressing the coaching staff during fall practices, King was placed in DC's starting lineup for its season-opener against Olivet College. She delivered immediately, torching the Comets for 11 points in the first half before finishing with a game-high 18 points in 24 minutes of action.

King's breakout performance turned some heads, and with defenses keying on the freshman guard, she was held to single-digit scoring in five of the next six games while backcourt mates, Tasha Stucke and Molly Bateman, used the extra breathing room to begin posting the best scoring averages of their careers.

After being held to a season-low two points against Manchester on December 8, King responded with 15 points against Hanover, followed by a pair of 16-point outings in DC's Pro Rehab – Hubbard Co. Tournament. King went on to average a team-high 12.1 points per game from that point forward, and the Jackets' offense began hitting its stride. Defiance ended the season with the 23rd ranked scoring offense in the nation, dropping 73.1 points per game. 

King displayed a multi-dimensional offensive game during her freshman campaign, scoring with regularity from the paint, from long range, and from the free throw line. She finished third in the conference in three-point field goals and three-point field goal percentage (40.7), while ranking among the top-20 in free throws and fourth in free throw percentage (80.0). Her impact extended past the scoring column as well, with 3.9 rebounds and 1.6 assist per contest.   

Over the last five games, King paced DC's offense with 15.8 points per game, including a career-high 22 points in the Jackets' upset victory over Franklin in the regular-season finale and 17 points in DC's HCAC Tournament Quarterfinals match with Manchester.

King will lead a young Lady Jackets squad next season, and likely take on an expanded role as the team looks to replace the production of two senior all-conference guards.

She won't take anyone by surprise next season after being tagged as the 2010-11 HCAC Freshman of the Year, but Coach Doumanian is eager to see her take the next step. "I am excited to see just how good of a player she can be for us," he said. "I think the sky is the limit for her."