Arnold Tabbed Coach of the Year, Seven Cougars Earn AMC Recognition

Columbia, Mo. – The American Midwest Conference (AMC) has announced the 2023 2023 AMC Women’s Basketball All-Conference teams, season award winners, academic all-conference team, and the AMC Women’s Basketball Champions of Character Team. The Cougars had a strong showing with post-season recognition as they had multiple award winners, while also placing 14 on the All-Academic team. 

First-year Head Coach James Arnold was voted as the AMC Coach of the Year after leading the Cougars to a 23-4 season, going 18-2 in conference play. The Cougars saved one of their best performances of the season for the end in their 58-43 win over UHSP, including holding the AMC Player of the Year Grace Beyer to a season-low 15 points; then rolling through Hannibal-LaGrange 100-45 to win the AMC Regular Season Champions title. With the top-seed in the post-season conference tournament, the Cougars have earned the right to host the entire eight-team tournament. 

Baylie Combs was named to the Champions of Character Team. Each AMC school selects a member of their team to receive the NAIA Champions of Character Award. It is the student-athlete who they feel best exemplifies the NAIA ‘s five core values of integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership.

First Team All-Conference:

• Mallory Shetley – scored 336 points this season to average 12.4 ppg, blocked 31 shots, 76 assists, pulled down 162 rebounds, career-high 36 points against Missouri Baptist

Second Team All-Conference:

• DeLaney Horstman – 237 points, averaged 9.1 ppg coming off of the bench, 30 blocks, 163 rebounds, season-high 18 points against Stephens College

Third Team All-Conference:

• Abby Backes – registered 228 points this season, season-high 18 points against Central Baptist (five three-pointers made), 78 assists, 46 made three-pointers on the season
• Mackenzie Hess – 212 points, 29 assists, 135 rebounds, made 53 three-points this season, season-high 17 points against Harris-Stowe

All-Defensive Team:

• Mallory Shetley

All-Freshman Team:

• Lexi Miller – 227 points this season, 27 assists, 68 rebounds, made 37 three-pointers, career-high 19 points against Lyon College

AMC Academic All-Conference:

• Hannah Ferguson
• Madison Weydert
• Allison Stiers
• DeLaney Horstman
• Abby Backes
• Christina Maltsberger
• Baylie Combs
• Lexi Miller
• Mackenzie Hess
• Mallory Shetley
• Grace Goodwin
• Jasmine Taylor
• Peyton Crowe
• Mya Miller

* To be eligible for Academic All-Conference honors, student-athletes must be in their second semester at their AMC institution, have at least a 3.0 GPA, and finish the year on the team.