NORFOLK, Va. – Coppin State's
Jewel Watkins and
Mossi Staples were both named All-MEAC Women's Basketball Second Team, it was announced on Tuesday night at the BBT Awards Ceremony held at Attucks Theatre. Watkins was also placed on the All-Defensive Team.
A sophomore from Whitehall, Ohio, Watkins ranked third in the MEAC in scoring (14.7), seventh in rebounding (6.4) and fourth in blocks (24) while leading the league in total points (427), 3-point field goals (77) and minutes (34.9). Watkins reached double figures in scoring in 23 of 29 games this season and hit for at least 20 points seven times, including a career-high 35 points at William & Mary. She also notched three double-doubles, coming against Maryland Eastern Shore (19 points, 12 rebounds), Delaware State (22 points, ten rebounds) and at Howard (20 points, 11 rebounds).
Standing 5-foot-11, Watkins was one of the top defensive players in the league, recording multiple blocks in seven games, including four against Morgan State and three more in back-to-back games against South Carolina State and the Hornets. Watkins was credited with three steals in four games while collecting two more steals in three others.
In just two seasons at Coppin, Watkins, who was an All-Rookie Team selection last year, is rapidly climbing multiple CSU all-time lists and ranks sixth in school-history with 98 3-pointers.
After earning Third Team All-MEAC honors last season, Staples finished her collegiate career by setting career-highs in nearly every statistical category. A redshirt junior from Fort Washington, Md., Staples ranked fifth in the MEAC in scoring (13.1), assists (78) and steals (48) while ranking second to Watkins in minutes (34.7). Staples also ranked second in the league in free throws made (105) and fourth in free throw attempts (137) to rank fourth with a 76.6 free throw percentage.
Staples went four double figures in 21 of 29 games this season and scored at least 20 points five times, including a career-high 27 points at Kent State along with 26-point efforts at Saint Francis (Pa.) and North Carolina Central. She dished out at least four assists in nine games, with a career-high eight in a win at Winthrop and had multiple steals in 15 games.
In her two seasons with the Eagles, Staples has recorded 676 points with 185 rebounds, 161 assists and 120 steals. Her 83 3-pointers while donning the Navy & Gold rank eighth in school-history.
Coppin enters the MEAC Tournament as the fifth seed and will take on No. 4 North Carolina central at 12 pm on Thursday, March 9. The quarterfinal matchup will air on ESPN+ and can be heard on WNST 1570 AM or
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