ATLANTA - Future Terrapins Shakira Austin (Fredericksburg, Va.), Taylor Mikesell (Massillon, Ohio) and Olivia Owens (Niskayuna, N.Y.) were all honored by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Thursday. Austin is one of 10 WBCA High School Coaches’ All-Americans and Mikesell and Owens earned Honorable Mention nods.
Austin is one of 10 of the nation’s top high school players to be voted a WBCA High School All-American.
Austin is a 6-5 forward that is ranked No. 3 overall and No. 2 forward by ESPN. She played junior and sophomore years at Colonial Forge High School, where she averaged 18.0 points and 12.3 rebounds per game and blocked 88 shots as a junior. She led Colonial Forge team to Class 6A state title and was named The Fredericksburg Free-Lance Star Player of the Year. She transferred to Riverdale Baptist this season, where she's averaging 15.1 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game. Riverdale Baptist is ranked No. 15 nationally.
Mikesell recently broke the Stark County scoring record with over 2,000 career points. Last month she broke the single game scoring record with 60 points in a game, off of shooting 14-for-17 from outside the arc.
Owens is averaging 16.2 points and 15.1 rebounds per game and hit 1,000 career points this season.
Austin, Mikesell and Owens make up the No. 4 class in the country next season. All three were McDonald's All-American nominees. Mikesell, a 5-9 guard, is ranked No. 32 overall and Owens, a 6-5 post, is ranked No. 33 overall by ESPN.
Earlier this season, Austin was named a McDonalds All-American. She is the 22nd McDonald's All-American signed by Brenda Frese to come to College Park. Current Terrapins Kaila Charles, Blair Watson, Brianna Fraser and Ieshia Small were all McDonald's All-Americans.
-Terps-
