March 4, 2003
ATLANTA – Georgia Tech senior center Sonja Mallory was named as a first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection, while juniors Fallon Stokes and Alex Stewart were both named to the third team as selected by the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association.
“It’s great to have three of the top 15 players in the ACC from Georgia Tech,” said Tech head coach Agnus Berenao. “I think it says a lot about where our program is headed and the work that these players have put in this year. It’s a great reward for them and they have been a big part of our team’s success this season.”
Mallory was also named as a member of the ACC’s All-Defensive team following a vote of the league’s nine head coaches, becoming the second Tech player in as many years to earn the distinction, joining Milli Martinez in 2002 on the list.
Yellow Jacket rookie forward Kasha Terry was an honorable mention ACC All-Rookie pick as well, after averaging 5.0 points, 4.9 rebounds and leading all conference freshmen with 1.36 blocks per game.
Mallory, who earns All-ACC honors for the second-straight season, after being named to the conference’s second team a year ago, turned in the best season of her career in 2003. The Bronx, N.Y., native is only the third Tech player to be named to the first team, joining Ida Neal in 1989 and Kisha Ford in 1997. Mallory finished the regular season by leading the Jackets in scoring (16.9 ppg), rebounding (9.3 rpg) and blocked shots (1.79 bpg). Her rebounding and blocked shot totals are tops in the latest ACC statistics, while her scoring average rates third.
“Sonja really is a great success story,” said Berenato. “She never lost faith in herself and was motivated to improve every day. She really always had faith in her ability and trusted that she could become a great player. It was one of her goals to make first-team All-ACC, but she really wanted to be on the All-Defensive team and she’s accomplished both of those things.”
Stokes is a first-time All-ACC pick, as she also turned in an outstanding junior campaign, averaging 15.3 points and 6.4 rebounds per contest, while scoring in double figures in a team-high 24 games in 2003. Her scoring average ranks fifth in the ACC, while her rebounding total is the ninth best in the league. The Atlanta, Ga., native scored 429 points this year, more than doubling her career total (400) entering the year. Stokes also grabbed 178 rebounds on the year and scored 20 or more points in five games.
“Fallon has been phenomenal for us this year,” said Berenato. “I think she now knows that we as a coaching staff have confidence in her to be a go-to player and the light has come on for her at the end of the season.”
After taking over as the Jackets’ starting point guard early in Tech’s season opener with Charlotte, Stewart never looked back, turning in the top season in her career. The Norcross, Ga., product led the ACC in both assists per game (5.93) and free throw percentage (.847), while also ranking among the league leaders in both scoring (8.8) and rebounding (5.5). On the year, Stewart, recorded 166 assists, the fourth-most by a player in school history, and set the school record for helpers by a junior.
“Alex had a tremendous challenge this year in starting out behind both Nina (Barlin) and Mallorie Winn, but when they got hurt, I think she saw a great opportunity,” said Berenato. “She took advantage of that and has done a great job and I think that both she and Fallon have really stepped up their games this year.”
Georgia Tech (19-9, 8-8 ACC) will open play in the ACC Tournament on Saturday at 2 p.m., when it faces fourth-seeded Florida State (16-11, 8-8 ACC) in the quarterfinals in Greensboro, N.C. The game will be televised on the ACC’s regional sports network, which includes Fox Sports Net South and the Sunshine Network.
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