Massasoit Women's Basketball Cleans Up Regional Awards

BROCKTON, Mass. ---- The Massasoit Community College women's basketball team wrapped up the 2013-14 season by claiming a number of postseason accolades, announced by Region XXI.

It was a memorable season for the Warriors (16-9) as they captured the school's first-ever Region XXI Championship in women's basketball and competed in the NJCAA Division III National Tournament for the first time in program history. Massasoit finished a program best No. 8 in the national poll.

Massasoit finished with three student-athletes being named to All-Region XXI teams -- Fredi Lawson (Boston/J.E. Burke HS), Ashley Andrade (Randolph) and Tianna Johnson (Brockton/New Mission HS). Lawson and Andrade made first team all-region with Johnson earning the nod on the second team.

In addition, head coach Mark Brathwaite earned Region XXI Coach of the Year honors for leading his team to the National Tournament.

"I am really proud of the way the girls played this year," Brathwaite said. "We had some ups and downs, but we kept finding ways to win games. It was quite the season and one I'll never forget."

In her first season with the Warriors, Lawson averaged a double-double, scoring 19.6 points and pulling down 12.2 rebounds per game. She totaled 17 double-doubles on the season, featuring 12 in a row towards the latter half of the season.

Lawson was named NJCAA National Player of the Week (Dec. 9-15) and scored in double figures in double figures in 23 of 24 games played this season.

Ashley Andrade earned all-region accolades for the second consecutive year. The forward averaged 14.8 points, 7.4 rebounds and 3.1 steals per game. She scored in double figures 18 times, including the last 14 games. She also totaled six double-doubles.

In the thrilling triple-overtime Region XXI Championship victory, Andrade was one of four remaining players on the court in the final two overtimes. She finished with 17 points, 19 rebounds and five steals.

Tianna Johnson of Brockton showcased great skill as the primary point guard for the Warriors. The freshman averaged 7.7 points, 7.8 assists and 5.8 rebounds per game for the season. Her assist average topped all NJCAA Division III players.

Johnson recorded 10-or more assists in 10 contests and tallied three triple-doubles on the season.

Lawson, Andrade, Johnson and sophomore Marina Palladino (Carver) were selected to play in the Region XXI All-Star game, slated for Wednesday at CCRI. Massasoit's Mark Brathwaite will serve as coach for one of the all-star squads.

First Team All-Region
Fredi Lawson, F
Ashley Andrade, G/F

Second Team All-Region
Tianna Johnson, G

Coach of the Year
Mark Brathwaite