Basketball awards presented

The 2006-2007 Dustdevil Basketball season was one of transition for both the players of the teams and the university as a whole.

Being contenders of the NCAA Division II Heartland Conference didn't stop either team from excelling, and it sure didn't stop players such as Vanessa Villarreal, Jermina Tomlinson, Leon Jacobs and Angel Encina from earning individual awards.

Vanessa Villarreal, a senior and a four-year starter for the lady dustdevils, was named newcomer of the year and first team all conference.

Villarreal said, "Receiving any reward is awesome, but getting an award at the division II level is even better; it feels great because it makes a statement to everyone saying that NAIA (TAMIU's previous division) athletes can compete at a higher level too."

Villarreal's talent wasn't developed overnight.

According to Villarreal, her basketball career began long ago in the sixth grade, where she began to play with a team in an AAU league (national basketball league).

Villarreal adds, "Staying after practice, shooting extra shots and playing with guys helped me become a better and tougher player."

Villarreal's hard work and dedication paid off not only with her awards in the conference or with her stats (20.7 points per game, 6.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.3 steals), but also with the career high records she set for the school.

Villarreal finished her four year basketball career with number one standings in points, scoring average, field goals made, three-point field goals made, free-throw percentage, rebounds, and rebounding average.

Jermina Tomlinson, a senior for the lady dustdevils, received second team all conference.

Tomlinson said, "It feels great to receive such award; I know that the athletes I played against were very god players, and being ranked amongst them is a great achievement."

Tomlinson is the first player in the school's history to begin the program, play all four years, and graduate. She is graduating with a Criminal Justice major and a minor in Psychology.

"This is exciting; being here to start the foundation of this basketball program and seeing the girls develop their game overtime has made it a wonderful and unique experience," said Tomlinson.

Tomlinson's outstanding performances earned her career records for the school. She holds the record for free-throws made, assists, steals, steals average, and comes in second in points, scoring average, field goals made, three-point field goals made and percentage, free-throw percentage, rebounds, and assist average.

Tomlinson would like to be remembered as "always having dedication making everyone laugh, being supportive, and always being eager to win a basketball game."

Both Villarreal and Tomlinson formed a dynamic duo that became obvious with the chemistry and stats they showed on the court. This, however, was possible because they have been playing together since the sixth grade.

"Playing with Vanessa my entire career was very comforting, and it helped me become a better person because we pushed and competed with each other; playing with her for so long definitely contributed to our chemistry on the court because we knew each other's strengths and weaknesses," said Tomlinson.

On the men's team, Leon Jacobs, a senior and first time player for the dustdevils received honorable mention for the Heartland Conference.

Jacobs was a transfer student athlete from Compton Junior College.

He has been playing basketball since the fourth grade and says, "My mentor, Henry Leon, has helped me become the player I'm now by always sticking with me, taking me to the courts, and helping me improve my game every single day."

Jacobs says, "Playing for TAMIU has been a wonderful experience and a beautiful chapter of my life; the competition has definitely made me a better player."

Jacobs spends his spare time shooting, observing players like Kobe Bryant, and watching film on him, thus being able to learn from his mistakes and figure out what aspects of his game have room for improvement.

Jacobs ended his first season with an average of 12.2 points per game, 37.7 field goal percentage, 36.8 three-point field goal percentage, 74.6 free-throw percentage, 3.6 rebounds per game, 2.2 assists per game, and 1.3 steals.

He looks forward to next year's season and says, "I want to become a better player that can involve my teammates and create more opportunities for them to score; therefore, our team can become a more competitive, well-rounded team that can place itself in the top of the conference."

Angle Encina, a senior point-guard for the dustdevils, earned honorable mention for the 2006-2007 basketball season.

Encina's feelings towards his award are, "It feels really good receiving an award, especially because I came from the previous division (NAIA) where I didn't get anything; getting honorable mention in NCAA Division II is a big leap and a more fulfilling accomplishment."

Encina said, "Extra time ahs to be given to become an exceptional player; therefore, I made sure to complete summer workouts, make 200 free-throws every day for two weeks prior to the season's beginning, and work very hard at all my practices."

Encina finished the season with 11.9 points per game, 74.7 percent as a free-throw shooter, 4.6 rebounds per game, 5.1 assists per game, and 1.5 steals per game.

According to Encina, most of his success is "attributed to my family's support, several coaches, and the competition."

Encina ended his basketball career by placing himself in the career record book for TAMIU. He is first in assists, assists average, steals and steals average. He also comes in third in points scored.