GLASSBORO, NJ -- Head Coach Demetrius Poles was selected the 2022-23 New Jersey Athletic Conference Women's Basketball Coach of the Year as the year-end awards were announced on Tuesday. Additionally, Nicole Mallard, Grace Marshall, and Danielle McCurdy were named to the NJAC All-Conference Teams.

Poles earns his second NJAC Coach of the Year honor after winning the honor in 2019-20. So far this season, he has guided the Profs to an 18-8 record and the #3 seed in the NJAC Playoffs. The Profs will play in a semifinal game of the NJAC Tournament on Wednesday at second-seeded Kean with a berth to the NJAC Championship on the line.

Mallard was chosen to the second team, earning her third career all-conference honor. This season, she leads the team in scoring (10.8 ppg), steals (54), and free throws made/attempts (89-of-116). The senior adds 32 assists and averages 3.8 rebounds per game.

Mashall and McCurdy scored honorable mention honors. For Marshall, this also her third career conference accolade as the fifth year averages 9.6 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 26 games. McCurdy, who is ranked second in the NJAC in blocks (57) and blocks per game (2.2 bpg), scores her first all-league award.

Wednesday's other NJAC Semifinal has #4 TCNJ at #1 NJCU.
 

2022-23 NJAC WOMEN'S BASKETBALL ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM 
Player of the Year: Damaris Rodriguez, NJCU
Defensive Player of the Year: Jackie Ventricelli, Ramapo
Rookie of the Year: Renee Wells, William Paterson
Coach of the Year: Demetrius Poles, Rowan

FIRST TEAM
Name	School	Yr.	Pos.
Justina Cabezas	William Paterson	SR	F
Nickie Carter	Montclair State	SR	G
Shannon McCoy	Kean	SR	G
Damaris Rodriguez	NJCU	JR	G
Jackie Ventricelli	Ramapo	SO	G

 

SECOND TEAM
Name	School	Yr.	Pos.
Adriyana Jennings	Stockton	SO	F
Nicole Mallard	Rowan	JR	G
Jalissa Pitts	Rutgers-Camden	SR	F
Julia Setaro	TCNJ	SR	G
Brianna Smith	William Paterson	JR	G

 

HONORABLE MENTION
Name	School	Yr.	Pos.
Nina Branchizio	TCNJ	SO	G
Jada Camacho	NJCU	SR	G
Grace Marshall	Rowan	SR	G
Danielle McCurdy	Rowan	GR	C
Macy Seaman	Kean	SO	C
Jada Thompson	Ramapo	SO	G