SEC top women’s basketball performers
It was a big week for a couple of Lady Vols as the SEC makes its way towards March
GAINESVILLE, FL - JANUARY 26, 2017 - Diamond DeShields #11 of the Tennessee Lady Volunteers during the game between the Tennessee Lady Volunteers and the Florida Gators in Gainesville, FL. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Athletics
Jamie Nared, Forward, Tennessee
It has certainly been an up and down season for the Lady Vols this season, but this week was certainly one of their stretches. One of the major reasons for the big week was the play of junior forward Jamie Nared. On Thursday, Nared played all 40 minutes and had 16 points and seven rebounds in Tennessee’s road win against Florida. She was vital in securing a nice victory against a team that the Lady Vols have struggled against in the past few seasons.
Nared followed up that performance with a career day in Tennessee’s upset win over No. 4 South Carolina on Monday. She finished with a carer-high 27 points and sank some key free throws down the stretch in helping the Lady Vols secure the huge road win.
Ronni Williams, Guard, Florida
It was a huge week for the senior from Daytona Beach, Florida. Williams averaged 37 points and over eight rebounds in just two games. For her efforts, she was tabbed as SEC Player of the Week.
In the home loss to the Lady Vols, she had 31 points and five rebounds, but it was her performance against Vanderbilt that really grabbed everyone’s attention. She scored 43 points on 60 percent shooting from the field in the 20-point road win for the Gators. Her week-long total was the most in school history for a two-game stretch.
Diamond DeShields, Guard, Tennessee
It’s a pretty simple recipe for success for the Lady Vols: When DeShields is at her best, so is Tennessee. DeShields had another solid week as the Lady Vols were able to have a pair of big wins. She had 27 points on Thursday against Florida in a solid road victory for the Lady Vols. DeShields is normally a high-volume shooter, but she scored her 27 against the Gators on efficient 9-of-13 shooting.
DeShields was huge again for Tennessee in their biggest win of the season against South Carolina on Monday. The redshirt junior played all 40 minutes and racked up 21 points along with eight rebounds and five assists. She played a key part in ending South Carolina’s 29-game home winning streak and announcing the Lady Vols as a major threat.
Edited by Quinn Pilkey
Featured image by Donald Page, courtesy of Tennessee Athletics
