CLARION’S ALBANESE, MELTON NAMED ALL-CONFERENCE
Clarion University senior Melba Melton (North Muskegon, Mich./North Muskegon) and sophomore Jessica Albanese (Crescent Springs, KY/Notre Dame Academy) are second-team PSAC-West women’s basketball selections for the 2006 season.
It is the second straight year Melton is a second-team selection, while Albanese earns the award for the first time.
Melton led Clarion is scoring and was sixth in the PSAC at 15.0 ppg. She also added 3.96 apg and 1.85 spg (both marks were the ninth best in the PSAC). Melba also ranked third in the PSAC in free-throw percentage (82.2 percent), the third best mark in school history
In her 2-year career, Melton scored 758 points, dished out 249 assists, the eighth best career mark at Clarion, and had 115 steals while shooting 78.5 percent from the free-throw line, the third highest percentage in a career in school history. Her 142 assists in 2005 were the third most in a season in school history.
Albanese was eighth in the PSAC in scoring (14.4 ppg), ninth in rebounding (7.9 rpg), second in shooting percentage (56.9 percent) and 11th in free-throw percentage (74.4 percent).
In two seasons, Jessica has scored 582 points while hauling down 338 rebounds. She is a 52.8 percent career shooter and a 71.5 percent career free-throw shooter.
GOLDEN EAGLE NOTES – A young Eagle team – Melton was the Eagles lone upperclassman starter, the rest were either sophomores or freshmen – went 12-15 overall and 3-9 in the PSAC-West this year… A senior-laden team a year ago, Clarion was 23-7 overall and 10-2 in the PSAC-West while qualifying for the NCAA Tournament… The Golden Eagles are coached by Margaret “Gie” Parsons, the winningest coach in school history with a 17-year record of 261-212 at Clarion with five PSAC-West titles (1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995), three PSAC Titles (1991, 1993, 1994) and six NCAA appearances (1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 2005). In 25 years as a head coach, Parsons is 371-285.
Sr. Melba Melton
So. Jessica Albanese