By Victor Munoz, Sports Editor
Marking the eighth time in the 38-year history of the program, the men’s and women’s basketball teams had a combined six players honored by the California Collegiate Athletic Association’s all-conference selections. The women had a first-team choice (senior Nautica Morrow), a second-team selection (junior Ahlisha Henderson), and an honorable mention pick for freshman Lea Anderson.
The male honorees were sophomore Colten Kresl, chosen for the first team, junior Wonder Smith, an honorable mention, and freshman Alex Garcia who made CSUDH history by being the first Toro men’s player to be chosen as CCAA freshman of the year.
For Morrow, it was the second consecutive year of making the first team. She was the seventh highest scorer in the CCAA and scoring leader for the Toros, racking up a total of 374 points in conference play. Morrow also led the team in assist with 68, 12th in the CCA.
“I’m blessed to have received All-Conference First Team Honor for the second season,” said Morrow. “It has been an honor to finish my basketball career here at Cal State Dominguez Hills. Earning All-Conference is just a small token memory I will take from playing basketball for CSUDH.”
In term of game highlights this season , on Dec. 31 Morrow had a season-high 29 points against Cal State San Marcos and on Jan. 3 a school record of 10 steals against San Francisco State.
CSUDH center Henderson made the second team on the strength of being the seventh top rebounder in the conference, recording a total of 12 double-doubles, four straight at the closing of the season.
Freshman Anderson was the third top scorer on the team, trailing only Morrow and Henderson.
Freshman Alex Garcia made CSUDH basketball history after being the first Toro named CCAA Freshman of the Year. He played in all 28 games, starting 20 of them. Garcia was
“It feels very great [to be freshman of the year],” said Garcia. “ I know I worked for this but I really owe this to my teammates, coaches and to all the people who have helped me along the way..
Sophomore guard Kresl led the team in points with 35l points, 12th best in the conference. He also scored a team-high 3-pointers, second-most in a single season.
Smith was an honorable mention selection, leading the Toros with 69 assists and 21 steals.
The most all-conference nods for the Toros are seven, in the 1991-92 season. But just as nice as the multiple honorees is the fact that five of the six will return next season.
