VINCENNES, Ind. – Vincennes University Lady Blazer guards sophomore Laila Grant (Derwood, Md.) and freshman Cherrelle Newsom (Indianapolis, Ind.) earned All-Region 24 honors Friday afternoon.
Grant earned First-Team All-Region 24 honors and Newsom earned a Third-Team All-Region 24 spot.
Grant earned a First-Team selection after leading the Lady Trailblazers by averaging 14.4 points per game.
Grant also averaged 4.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.2 steals per game this season for Vincennes.
Grant transferred to Vincennes this season after spending the previous two seasons at Gulf Coast State College in Panama City, Fla.
Grant scored in double-figures in 20 of her 24 games this season, with her highest total of the season coming against John A. Logan in December when she scored 25 points.
Grant also had season-highs of nine rebounds, eight assists, five steals and five three-pointer game against Lindsey Wilson earlier this year.
“This honor means a lot to me, especially coming back from an injury my freshman year and not being able to play,†Grant said. “This shows the hard work that I have been putting in these past couple of years.â€
“I have really liked how everyone is on the same page on this team about wanting to win,†Grant added. “Coach Meeks has been very positive about everything this season. Overall, it has made my time at Vincennes a more positive experience.â€
Cherrelle Newsom came away with Third-Team All-Region honors after averaging 12.5 points and 3.4 assists per game for the Blue and Gold.
Newsom joined the Lady Blazers this season after playing the 2020-21 season at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas.
Newsom leads the Lady Blazers with 81 three-point makes this season and an outstanding 40-percent shooting percentage from long range.
Newsom has scored in double figures 20 times this season, which her highest scoring games this season coming when she scored 23 points against Three Rivers and John A. Logan.
Newsom also handled most of the point guard duties for VU this season as she just missed a double-double against Olney Central earlier this year by dishing out nine assists.
“This honor means a lot to me,†Newsom said. “Coming back from an injury and being able to bounce back and play with people that I enjoy playing with is special. I really couldn’t have done this without my teammates.â€
“I feel like my favorite part of playing at VU is just being able to have fun,†Newsom added. “Being able to play with people who enjoy playing. The coaching here is great. They are really encouraging and that’s one thing that I really love.â€
This backcourt duo will look to guide the Lady Blazers through the upcoming Midwest District Tournament at Lake Land College in Mattoon, Ill.
Vincennes will begin their postseason run Sunday, Feb. 27 at 8 p.m. eastern when VU takes on Kaskaskia College.
“I just hope that we all come out strong and hopefully be able to go as far as we can in the tournament and possibly make it to Nationals in Lubbock,†Grant said.
“I hope to help bring a high level of communication for our team this postseason,†Newsom added. “Being able to do what I need to do on both ends of the floor and encourage everyone and makes sure everyone’s heads are up so we can hopefully continue to win.â€
FULL REGION 24 HONORS
Player of the Year – Dais’Ja Trotter – Rend Lake
Freshman of the Year – Kiara Cruz – Shawnee
FIRST TEAM
Dais’Ja Trotter – Rend Lake
Jeniah Thompson – John A. Logan
Daijah Smith – Wabash Valley
LAILA GRANT – VINCENNCES
Shaulana Wagner – Wabash Valley
SECOND TEAM
Megan Barton – Rend Lake
Alayasia Douglas – Lincoln Trail
Kiara Cruz – Shawnee
Jasmine Elder – Wabash Valley
Niya Danfort – Rend Lake
THIRD TEAM
CHERRELLE NEWSOM – VINCENNES
Jaya Hedgepeth – Kaskaskia
Jordan Scroggins – Lincoln Trail
Bonnie Lew Ludlow – Southwestern Illinois
Darlisha Reed – Wabash Valley
