The Southwest Lady Bears’ backcourt tandem of Katrina Littlepage and April Levy has helped lead the team through one of its most successful seasons in program history.
Earlier this week, Littlepage and Levy were recognized for their efforts at a MACJC coaches meeting.
Littlepage was named to the All-Region 23 team and was recognized by the coaches as a first-team All-State selection as well.
The Slidell, La., native led the Lady Bears with more than 16 points per game this season, including a season-high 40 points in an opening round win over East Mississippi in the MACJC tournament.
She started all 29 games for Southwest this season and is the team leader in scoring, 3-point field goal percentage, free throw percentage, assists, steals and minutes per game.
Levy, a Jackson native, joined Littlepage as an All-Region selection and also was named a second-team All-State honoree. She is second on the team in scoring at more than 12 points per game, and her 47 made 3-pointers lead the Lady Bears this season.
“They’ve both been great players and great leaders for this team,” Lady Bears’ head coach Brent Harris said of his star guards. “They can handle the ball, drive, shoot from the outside and defend. They’re matchup nightmares all year.”
Southwest is preparing for a trip to the NJCAA national tournament in Salina, Kan., next week. The Lady Bears will take on No. 10 seed Butler (Kan.) Community College, the sixth-ranked team in the nation.
Southwest — the No. 23 seed in the 24-team field — will need big performances from both Littlepage and Levy to advance through the tournament. Harris is encouraged by the strong performances both ladies displayed throughout the Lady Bears’ postseason run.
Littlepage’s 40 points on the first day of the MACJC tournament set a tone for Southwest, which had dropped four of its final six regular season games and narrowly qualified for the tournament in the weeks prior.
Following Littlepage’s big night, Levy dropped 26 points on Meridian in the semifinals to not only help Southwest advance to the finals, but also to qualify it for the Region 23 tournament. Littlepage added 15 points in the win over Meridian.
In the region tournament, Littlepage provided an opening-round spark with a team-high 23 points on 13-of-16 shooting from the charity stripe. Once again, Levy was in on the action as well with 13 points in a comeback victory.
“They play big in big moments,” Harris said of his backcourt.
The Lady Bears depart for Salina early Saturday morning for their game Monday.
