Long Beach State University Athletics
Figueroa, Barbee Earn All-Conference Honors
3/10/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
March 10, 2008
Long Beach, Calif. - The 2007-08 Big West All-Conference teams were announced today by the conference office, and Long Beach State had two honorees. Junior guard Karina Figueroa was again named second-team All-Big West, and freshman guard LaTorya Barbee also earned All-Freshman accolades.
Figueroa picked up her second All-Big West nod after again leading the 49ers in scoring as a junior. Despite missing eight games during the middle of the season due to a foot injury that also limited her in some games she did play, Figueroa averaged 12.9 points per game and led the team in scoring a team-high 11 times in her 20 games. She also was second on the team in assists and steals.
"I'm proud of Karina and her ability to be honored with this selection," said head coach Mary Hegarty. "There's no doubt that she's one of the best players in the conference. This is a great tribute to her competiveness, and the drive that she showed in coming back from what would have been a season-ending injury for many people."
Freshman LaTorya Barbee was also honored by the Big West, earning a spot on the five-strong All-Freshman Team. Barbee improved rapidly throughout the season and has started in 17 of the last 18 games for Long Beach State while working her way up to fourth in scoring and third in assists. Barbee becomes the first freshman honoree since Figueroa in her first year with the program.
"I'm also very pleased that the coaches recognized LaTorya among such a talented group of freshman in the conference," said Hegarty. "She has improved and become a more consistent player with each game this season. She has a tremendous future with this program."
Long Beach State enters the postseason this week, taking on Cal State Fullerton in the first round of the Big West Tournament on Wednesday, March 12.
