KCAC

[Women's Basketball] Jackson, Shippy receive All-KCAC recognition

WICHITA, Kan. – Friends University women's basketball forwards Taylor Jackson and McKenzie Shippy have each earned a spot on the 2022-23 All-KCAC team, the league office announced today (Feb. 22). Jackson is a unanimous third-team selection and an All-Defensive team choice, while Shippy received honorable-mention status. An elite defensive player in the conference, Jackson snagged a league-leading six KCAC Defensive Player of the Week honors this season.  A native of Houston, Texas, Jackson led the nation with 3.4 blocks per game and ranked second in the KCAC in rebounding (9.8 rpg). A two-way contributor, she also averaged double-figure points with 11.2 ppg. Jackson is now the Falcons' modern-era career leader in blocks with 190 swats for her career.In her fourth year with the program, Shippy enjoyed a breakout season offensively, averaging a team-high and career-best 11.3 points per game. In an early season victory over Evangel (Mo.), the Woodbine, Kan. native poured in a career-high 26 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the field, 4-of-7 from three-point distance and a career-high tying 8-of-8 from the charity stripe. "Taylor and McKenzie's All-KCAC recognition is well-deserved," said Friends women's basketball head coach Dean Jaderston. "Taylor has become a dominant defensive presence and our whole defensive scheme is built around having her at the basket. As one of 11 unanimous all-conference selections, it is clear she has earned the respect of the league. McKenzie has taken a huge step this year by leading us in scoring and becoming our best perimeter defender. I'm proud of them and glad I get to coach them!"The Falcons are 15-13 overall this season and are set for a KCAC postseason tournament quarterfinal matchup tomorrow night (Feb. 23) at Bethany College. Tip-off is set for 7 pm in Lindsborg, Kan.