Delta State University women's basketball player Quantesha Patterson has been announced as one of three finalists for the C Spire Gillom Trophy, as released by C-Spire and the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame.
The 2020 C Spire Howell and C Spire Gillom trophies will be presented during a luncheon at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame & Museum in Jackson, Miss., on Monday, March 9th at 11:30 a.m. Patterson, a former East Webster standout, joins Mississippi State forwards Rickea Jackson and Jessika Carter.
Patterson, who ranks in the top 10 in the nation in four different categories, leads the 21-6 Lady Statesmen into the 2019-20 Gulf South Conference Women's Basketball Tournament Quarterfinals against West Georgia on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. The Maben, Miss., native has posted 18 double-doubles (2nd GSC/8th NCAA) and grabbed 356 rebounds (2nd GSC/5th NCAA). She is also averaging 5.7 offensive rebounds per game (1st GSC/2nd NCAA) and shooting 65.3 percent from the floor (1st GSC/2nd NCAA). Patterson also ranks fourth in the GSC averaging 17.2 points per game and 7.6 rebounds per game.
Jackson leads the 24-5 Bulldogs in scoring at 14.7 points per game, but is followed closely by Carter who averages an even 14 points per game. Carter is the leading rebounder for the Lady Dogs and has posted 54 blocked shots.
The C Spire Howell and C Spire Gillom awards are presented to the most outstanding college basketball players, male and female respectively. Named after Hall of Fame greats Bailey Howell and Peggie Gillom, these awards are a part of the C Spire Outstanding Player Award Series, which also includes the C Spire Conerly (football) and the C Spire Ferriss (baseball) trophies. The C Spire Gillom trophy, named in honor of Ole Miss alum, Peggy Gillom, has been dominated by Mississippi State in recent years. Victoria Vivians won four straight during her career at Mississippi State and the 2019 winner was Teaira McCowan.
The C Spire Howell trophy honors former MSU and NBA star, Bailey Howell. On the men's side Reggie Perry of Mississippi State, Breein Tyree of Ole Miss and Ledarius Woods of Tugaloo are the players chosen to represent their schools. Tyree was a finalist in 2019 when Quinndary Weatherspoon was selected the winner. Perry leads the Bulldogs in scoring with a 17.4 points per game, and has 25 steals and 32 blocks for the 18-10 MSU squad. Breein Tyree, a 6'2" guard out of Somerset, NJ, tops the Rebels averaging just over 20 points per game. Ledarius Woods, the first finalist from Tougaloo College, is the top player for Coach Thomas Billings. Tougaloo is 22-6 overall including a 11-2 mark in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference.
Patterson is Delta State's first Gillom Trophy finalist since assistant coach Chelsea Rhodes was a finalst for the award in 2016. Former Lady Statesmen great Veronica Walker was the last DSU player to win the awardnand won back-to-back Gillom Trophies (2010-2011 and 2011-2012) for Delta State. Jennifer Rushing was Delta State's other winner of the award. Rushing received the first Gillom Trophy awarded in 2007-2008.
Voting is conducted by a statewide panel of media representatives. A Fan Vote is also conducted by C Spire the week before the luncheon and counts for 10% of the overall vote.
Fan voting will begin today (Monday, March 2) at noon CT and ends Saturday, March 7 at noon CT. Fans can vote up to three times daily, at http://howellgillomvoting.hscampaigns.com, for their favorite college basketball player during the six-day voting period.
For tickets, please contact the museum or visit www.msfame.com. For more information, please (601) 982-8264) or email lmmaness@msfame.com.
