By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information

Toledo, Ohio---A record setting three Owens Community College women's basketball players have been named to the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Junior/Community College Coaches' All-America team, led by freshman guard Sierra Harley (Africentric/Columbus, Ohio).

Harley became the first WBCA First Team All-American in program history. She is one of only 10 players at the junior college level to earn the honor.

In 33 games, Harley has averaged a team-high 15.5 points and 5.2 assists per game, along with 4.8 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game. 

"The 10 members of the 2015 WBCA Junior/Community College Coaches' All-America Team are well deserving of this recognition, and the WBCA congratulates them for their achievements this season," said WBCA Executive Director Danielle Donehew. "These young women have separated themselves and through their efforts, have become ambassadors for our game. Through their exceptional talents on the basketball court, they have elevated the women's game to an exciting new level." 

In addition to Harley, sophomore forward Ashley Tunstall (Huber Heights Wayne/Dayton, Ohio) and freshman guard Demy Whitaker (Notre Dame Academy/Toledo, Ohio) were named to the Honorable Mention All-American team by the WBCA.

In 34 games this year, Tunstall is averaging 14.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.4 steals and 2.3 assists. Her rebounding and steal averages are both team-highs. She reached 800 career points in last night's national quarterfinal win and is approaching 600 career rebounds, as well. Whitaker is third on the team in scoring with 10.8 points per game, while also averaging two steals per game. She is approaching the program's single season 3-point field goals made and attempted records.

The Owens women's basketball team is 33-1 overall. They will take on Johnson County Community College at 6 p.m. (CT) on Friday in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II National Tournament Final Four. The winner advances to Saturday's national championship game.

Notes

Only two players have previously earned WBCA All-American honors for Owens. Emma Jean Ricketts (Anthony Wayne/Waterville, Ohio) and Kamilah Carter (Pioneer/Ann Arbor, Mich.) earned Honorable Mention All-American honors in 2012-13 and 2013-14, respectively. Harley is the program's first First Team All-American, and this year marks the most All-Americans in one season.

Founded in 1981, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association promotes women's basketball by unifying coaches at all levels to develop a reputable identity for the sport and to foster and promote the development of the game as a sport for women and girls. For more information on the WBCA, please visit WBCA.org.