GREENWOOD, Ind. –Three LC State Women’s Basketball players earned the distinction of College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honorees for their work during the 2023-24 season. Camden Barger, Sitara Byrd and Callie Stevens can all add the accolade to their lists of accomplishments.
The award takes into account both academic and athletic success. To be eligible for the honor, a student-athlete must have a minimum 3.5 cumulative grade point average and be a key contributor on the court.
“Extremely proud of these three for demonstrating excellence on and off the court,” Head Coach Caelyn Orlandi said. “This is a very special award to achieve and we are so lucky to have student-athletes dedicated to success on and off the court.”
Barger, a redshirt-freshman from Grangeville, maintains a 3.89 grade point average while studying Biology with a minor in Business. She appeared in 30 games this season and dealt 38 assists with 13 steals. Barger totaled 42 points during the season and had five assists in a game three times.
“We were so very excited to have Camden on the floor for us this season,” Orlandi said. “She is an extremely intelligent basketball player and picks up on what we do with ease. She will be a coach on the floor in no time. Her intelligence off the floor is just as remarkable as she is taking extremely tough Biology classes and is excelling in those.”
Byrd, a sophomore from Spokane, holds the highest grade point average on the team at 3.98 while majoring in Elementary Education with a minor in Special Education. One of three Warriors to start all 32 games, Byrd led the team in 3-point percentage (.451), rebounds (225) and steals (76). She averaged 9.0 points and 7.0 rebounds per game and shot .520 from the field.
“Sitara has really stepped up as a player on the court this year and to see her excel in the classroom too is really special,” Orlandi said. “Sitara plans to be a teacher and she has most definitely found her calling. Sitara gives everything she does 110%, cares about her people and faces challenges admirably.”
Stevens earned the award for the second time in her career after holding a 3.69 grade point average in Business Informatics. The three-time Cascade Conference Player of the Year wrapped up her playing career leading the Warriors in minutes per game (29.3), field goals made (193), 3-pointer made (90), free throws made (77), points scored (553) and points per game (17.3). The Puyallup, Wash., native started all 32 games and dealt 102 assists with 55 steals. Her 2023-24 season ranks 10th in points scored and fifth in 3-pointers made. She was voted the Cascade Conference Player of the Week four times during the year.
“Callie had a tremendous career wearing a Warrior uniform,” Orlandi said. “She performed both on and off the court and I am looking forward to watching her as her career begins to unfold. Callie will excel in any career path she decides to take because she knows how to work hard, dedicate yourself to your craft and be passionate with what you do.”
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