AUSTINTOWN – Two Wilmington College women's basketball players were honored by the Ohio Athletic Conference coaches, the league announced today (March 5, 2014).

Seniors Haley Howard (Uhrichsville, OH/New Philadelphia) and Makenzie Wippel (Orient, OH/Westfall) earned second team and honorable mention honors, respectively. They combined to lead WC in scoring in 23 of the team's 27 games.

"These two together both played like you hope seniors will play," said Wilmington head coach Jerry Scheve. "They put everything they had into it, and I really enjoyed coaching them."

Howard is one of two players in the OAC to be ranked in the top 20 in points, rebounds and assists and led the team with 13.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists. In Wilmington's NCAA era, Howard is the first person in school history to lead the Fightin' Quakers in all three categories – points, rebounds and assists.

"Haley had an outstanding year for us, leading us in points, assists and rebounds," said Scheve.  Haley missed two years of basketball because of knee injuries, and we weren't sure if she would ever be able to play for us. But she stayed with it, and it really paid off this year. She is more than worthy of this honor."

Wippel was the most consistent post option for WC this season, finishing with 12.4 points and 5.2 rebounds – both second on the team.

"I was really proud of the season Makenzie had this year," said Scheve. "Every year we tried to move her to the perimeter where she was more comfortable, but every year we needed her inside.  And this year it all came together for her.    She developed a great variety of post moves, and was really tough to guard inside."

Wilmington finished 13-14 on the season, falling to OAC champion Capital in the second round of the OAC tournament.