TOWSON, Md. --- Moravian College senior forward Camille McPherson has been named to the 2017 Landmark Conference Women's Basketball All-Conference First Team while freshman guard Maddie Capuano was selected as the Rookie of the Year and Head Coach Mary Beth Spirk and her assistants were selected as the Coaching Staff of the Year.
Spirk, who is in her 30th year at Moravian, has led Moravian to a 19-7 record this winter and has the Greyhounds in the postseason for the 16th consecutive year. This marks the 10th time in her 30 seasons that Spirk has been honored as the conference Coach of the Year and first time since 2012-13. The Hounds participated in the Landmark Conference Semifinals for the ninth time in the 10-year history of the conference after an 11-3 record in the regular season tied the squad for second in the standings. Moravian is also in the ECAC Division III Championship Tournament for the eighth time.
"We are extremely thrilled of Head Coach Mary Beth Spirk and congratulate her for once again being named the Landmark Women's Basketball Coach of the Year," stated Director of Athletics George L. Bright. "Coach Spirk is indeed a well-respected, high-level, motivational role model whose terrific body of work has raised the standard of excellence in our Department and beyond. Her record of success, combined with her extensive history of building and inspiring teams allows Coach Spirk to immediately and positively impact the lives of our student-athletes. Great job!"
McPherson, who was on the Landmark All-Conference Second Team last winter, leads the Greyhounds in scoring at 22.7 points per game, and her 589 points this season are the third most in a single season in school history. McPherson also leads the Hounds on the boards at 8.8 rebounds per game to go with a team high 53 three-pointers and eight double-doubles. She has added 74 assists, 18 steals and 14 blocked shots, and McPherson is shooting 82.2 percent at the foul line (134-of-163), 47.3 percent from the floor (201-of-425) and 38.4 percent beyond the arc (53-of-138). This winter, McPherson has also been named the Lehigh Valley Small College Women's Basketball Pete Nevins Player of the Year while earning a spot on the LVSCB Team of the Year, and she was a four-time Landmark Conference Women's Basketball Athlete of the Week honoree in 2016-17.
"Camille continues to add to her impressive resume this season," Spirk stated. "This recognition from the coaches in the conference is a great honor for Camille. Camille has led the team all season with her play, leadership and determination. Camille is the team's engine and her desire to be the best on the court is the main reason our young team achieved success this year. Her ability to take over games was amazing to watch, and that ability happened because of her tremendous work ethic that she puts in at practice and out of practice."
Capuano, who has started all 26 games and is one of three freshmen to start at least 22 games for Moravian this winter, is scoring 12.4 points and 4.3 rebounds per contest. Capuano, who earned ECAC Division III Metro Rookie of the Week honors once, has also contributed 63 assists, 51 steals and 43 three-pointers, and she is shooting 82.5 percent (80-of-97) at the foul line.
"The Rookie of the Year honor is a great accomplishment for Maddie," noted Spirk. "She had a tremendous first season with us. Maddie took over the point guard duties this year, having never played that position. She is a scorer naturally, but really worked on her ball handling and leadership skills this season. Maddie was in a difficult position, as she not only was playing a new position, but also was asked to control the team on both ends of the court while being asked to score in double figures every game. Maddie did not back down from this challenge and was a key reason we had a successful season. She will hopefully continue to grow and mature as a player, which means more success for the team in the next few years."
Moravian is slated to begin the 2017 ECAC Division III Championship Tournament on Wednesday, March 1 when the Greyhounds host Centenary (N.J.) College in a First Round game in Johnston Hall with tip-off set for 7:00 p.m.
