By Xavier Vargas
Staff Writer
Former Denison basketball players Dimonde Hale, Emma Woodward, Kristen Sheffield, and Shaina Kaiser were nominated to the North Coast Athletic Conference 30th Basketball All-Decade team.
Dimonde Hale’s time at Denison was well spent where he started in the post for all four years. He earned All Great Lakes Region honors in 2012 and 2013, and was a second-team NABC Great Lakes All-District choice in 2013. Dimonde was also nominated for the NCAC Newcomer of the Year and was a four-time all-conference selection, including a two-time first-team honoree as a junior and senior. Hale was named to the 2012 NCAC All-Tournament when he helped get DU to their first berth in an NCAC Tournament Championship game. Dimonde left his mark at Denison by graduating having completed 105 games, ranking fourth in scoring with 1,726 points, 702 rebounds, and shooting 51 percent from the field.
Emma Woodward was a two-time first-team All-NCAC selection in 2004 and 2005. As a senior Woodward was the conference’s Player of the Year after averaging 14.6 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. She was also voted the NCAC All-Tournament team in 2005. Woodward left her mark at Denison by scoring 1,075 points, and her free throw percentage was .785 which ranks as the best in Denison history.
Shaina Kaiser helped Denison become 28-1 and earn a spot to the 2011 NCAA tournament, which earned the fourth All-American award in the program’s history. A D3Hoops.com All Great Lakes Region selection, Kaiser earned fourth-team D3Hoops.com All-American honors and honorable mention WBCA All-American recognition. She was also the NCAC MVP in 2010 and 2011, NCAC Player of the Year in 2009 and 2011, and earned first-team all- conference accolades for three straight seasons (2009-11). In her career she scored 1,482 points which ranks 3rd in DU History and 17th in the NCAC.
Kristen Sheffield lead the Big Red to the 2nd round of the NCAA tournament in 2007 and earned the WBCA All-American honors. She was a four-time all-conference selection and received first-team honors as a junior and senior. She was also named NCAC Newcomer of the Year in 04’ and she finished her career with being Player of the Year in 07’. She leads the NCAC with 336 blocks and holds the single-season record with 106 rejections. Her rebound record still stands today at 921 and is fifth in scoring with 1,349 points.