Feb. 25, 2011

Bianca Simmons, a sophomore guard from Middletown, Conn. (Mercy H.S.) and Akeem Williams, a freshman guard from Brockton, Mass. (Winchendon) garnered conference honors from the Northeast-10 on Friday as the conference announced the Men's and Women's Basketball All-Conference Teams.

Simmons, who was Co-Freshman of the Year and an All-Rookie Team selection last year, was tabbed to the All-Conference Third Team, while Williams was named to the All-Rookie Team.

Simmons is enjoying a special sophomore year which has seen her compile season-high averages of 16.7 points, 4.1 assists and 1.5 3-point shots per game while shooting .803 from the free throw line. She has also pulled down 5.3 rebounds and 1.2 steals.

Simmons ranks among NE-10 leaders in five categories: scoring (third), assists (fifth), free throw accuracy (sixth), 3-point field goals per game (tied for 14th) and assist-turnover ratio (14th, 0.83).

"I am happy for Bianca," said Head Coach Kathy O'Neil. "This is a terrific conference and it is an honor for her to be named to the Third Team."

Williams stepped into his role as the River Hawks' point guard early on in the year and has since led the UMass Lowell offensive charge with 17.7 PPG, sixth in the conference and first among conference freshmen.

"I am happy for Akeem, but I really do not look at him as a rookie," said Head Coach Greg Herenda. "He was put in a very difficult position to fill the void of an All-Region player and we have won more games to this point than we did last year. He is a very talented player and has tremendous stats, but winning games is his main focus."

He averages 4.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.9 steals per game, seventh in the conference. The freshman has made 20 starts on the year and averages 32.3 minutes per game, shooting .393 from the floor and .346 from behind the arc.

"Our entire freshman class has been terrific this year and Akeem Williams led the way," said Herenda.

Both squads are now shifting their focus to the 2011 NE-10 Tournament, as the men earned a #6 seed and will host #11 Merrimack on Saturday at home in Costello Gymnasium at 1 p.m.

The women finished the season 10th in the conference and will head to #7 Saint Michael's for a 1 p.m. clash in Colchester on Sunday.