BOSTON, MA - Wheelock College women's basketball sophomore Keneisha Milton (Boston, MA/Wayland) earned her first career New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) all-league accolade on Monday, drawing an honorable mention as one of only four underclassmen across nine NECC squads to be recognized. Her team also was lauded with the conference's sportsmanship award for the first time in the league's three-year history.
Milton, who provided Wheelock with an NECC All-Conference honorable mention selection for the third straight winter, was among 15 players honored with an all-league nod. The Wildcats earned a sportsmanship award for the first time since 2005-06, when they shared the achievement while members of the North Atlantic Conference (NAC). Wheelock drew the award outright for the first time since the 2004-05 season.
Milton ranks second in the league in rebounding (11.8) despite standing 5-foot-6 while also placing second in steals (69) and offensive boards per game (5.3), and third in double-doubles (12). Milton broke school records for both rebounds (271) and steals this winter, as she led the team in scoring (9.8), rebounding, steals, free throws and field goals. Milton was also second in assists (41) and blocks (19). She recorded at least 10 rebounds 16 times, including hauling down 15-plus seven times, and notched at least three steals 14 times. Entering her junior year, Milton already holds the school's career record with 498 rebounds.
Milton stands 22nd in Division III in rebounding and tied for 33rd in double-doubles, as she is sixth among New England players in rebounding. Entering last week, she was the shortest player in Divisions I, II or III to average at least 10.0 rebounds. Milton topped 20 rebounds twice this season, including while pulling in a school-record 23 versus Bay Path College on Feb. 3, and snagged double digits in offensive boards alone during three contests.
Head Coach Brooke Freeburg completed her third season with the Wildcats this winter, leading them to a 5-18 overall mark and a 4-11 NECC record. Wheelock's league victory total was its highest since 1999-2000, and the team compiled its most overall wins in three seasons.