Feb. 8, 2008
Lowe's Senior CLASS Complete Release
Click to Vote for Carlene for Lowe's Senior CLASS Award
KANSAS CITY, MO - La Salle University senior forward Carlene Hightower (Philadelphia, PA/Archbishop Prendergast) has been named one of the 10 finalists for the 2008 Lowe's Senior CLASS Award, it was announced today. The award is presented annually to an NCAA Division I senior women's basketball player who exemplifies being a total student-athlete.
Hightower joins the other nine finalists on the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award ballot for a nationwide vote beginning today and concluding March 21. Fan balloting is available at the award's official website www.seniorclassaward.com and will be combined with votes from coaches, media, and sponsors to determine the recipient of the award. Fans can vote daily for up to three players on the ballot.
Hightower was named A-10 First Team and All-Defensive team after the 2006-07 season and was a preseason member of both teams for the 2007-08 season. She was one of only four Explorers ever to score at least 500 points and grab 200 rebounds in the same season. This season, she is currently leading the Explorers in points per game (16.5), which is fourth in the A-10; rebounds per game (6.3), 15th; and steals per game (1.91), sixth.
She has been named A-10 Player of the Week once, and has scored in double figures in all but two games this season - which includes eight 20+ point games. She became the 22nd member of the school's 1,000-point club on Nov. 19, has since moved into the 12th spot, and is just nine points shy of cracking the top 10.
The award - presented annually to the NCAA Division I Student-Athlete of the Year in eight sports - focuses on the "Four C's" of classroom, character, community and competition. Lowe's, an official corporate partner of the NCAA will award the winners with trophies during the respective men's and women's NCAA Final Four weekends.
An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, the award was launched during the 2001-02 season to honor the attributes of college basketball seniors who remain committed to their university and pursue the many rewards that a senior season and complete college education brings.
The award was conceived by sportscaster Dick Enberg, who continues to serve as Honorary Chairman. It was inspired by the remarkable story of former Duke basketball player Shane Battier, who could have been an NBA lottery pick but returned to college for his senior season and led the Blue Devils to the National Championship in 2001.
Previous winners of the women's award include Sue Bird of Connecticut (2002), LaToya Thomas of Mississippi State (2003), Alana Beard of Duke (2004), Kendra Wecker of Kansas State (2005), Seimone Augustus of LSU (2006) and Alison Bales of Duke (2007).
