POPLARVILLE, Miss. — For the first time since 2005, Pearl River women’s basketball can add an All-America selection to its total. The National Junior College Athletic Association announced its All-America teams Tuesday, and standout Taylor Johnson-Matthews (Cleveland, Ohio; Charles F. Brush) has been tabbed second team.
Matthews’ selection is the 11th in program history. She joins Antrice McGill (First Team | 1989), Charzes Silas (First Team | 1990), Elaine Powell (First Team | 1994; First Team | 1995), Datishella Byrd (Honorable Mention | 1997; Second Team | 1998), Jessica Shanklin (Honorable Mention | 1999), Norma Noel (First Team | 1999), Audosha Kelley (Third Team | 2003) and Carmen Labat (Honorable Mention | 2005).
“Taylor will forever be remembered as one of the best to wear the maroon and gold,” head coach Scotty Fletcher said. “I couldn’t be happier for a selfless individual who sacrificed so much to accomplish what she did as a player and what we accomplished as a team. When we signed her, she told us that she was going to get us a ring, and she came through on that promise. She showed up every day to work and was relentless with her daily approach to be one of the best players in the country. I had the privilege of a front-row seat each and every day to witness her greatness. When you reflect back on her career, her time here will forever be etched in the history books.
“She meant everything and more to this program and always carried herself in a first-class manner. She represented her family name on and off the court in a way that made everyone proud.”
It was truly a year to remember for Johnson-Matthews, who helped lead Pearl River to its first National Tournament appearance since 2003. She led the Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference in points per game with a mark of 18.2. Additionally, she led Pearl River in rebounds per game (6.6), steals per game (2.5) and blocks per game (0.8). She was third on the team in assists per game at 1.7. She shot a blistering 44 percent from the field and shot 30.8 percent from beyond the arc. At the free-throw line, she shot 79.6 percent.
She scored double-digit points in 28 of 32 games the Wildcats played in. She scored 30 or more points on three occasions and eclipsed the 20-point mark in 13 games. She wrapped up the year with six double-doubles, including one in PRCC’s National Tournament game against Eastern Arizona.
The 5-foot-10 Johnson-Matthews was named the MACCC’s Player of the Year at season’s end. She also took home First Team All-MACCC, All-Region 23 and Region 23 Tournament team selections. She was a two-time MACCC Player of the Week award winner.
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