For the first time in the history of North Georgia women's basketball, a player has been named the PBC Player of the Year.
Carnes, who is just a sophomore and a Gainesville High graduate, will now have her name etched in the record books at both North Georgia and the Peach Belt Conference.
The native of Gainesville, Georgia, came to North Georgia from Division I member Wake Forest University. Carnes came to Dahlonega mainly to play closer to home, to allow her parents (Steve and Sherri Carnes) to attend more games and see her shine. It turned out to be a great decision.
As the leader of the Lady Saints this season, Carnes led the nation in scoring averaging 25.0 points per game. She finished with 624 points scored, which is the 10th highest scoring total in league history. Carnes scored 30-plus points three times and had a career-high 40 points against Brenau.
If Carnes holds on to the nation's lead in scoring, she will be just the second player in PBC history to do so. Only Joanna Cuprys of Kennesaw State has accomplished such a feat.
She finished second in the league and 15th in the nation in rebounds per game with 11.2. Carnes recorded 20 double-doubles, which led all of the NCAA Division II level. She also led the league in blocks and was eighth nationally in that category.
Carnes was named PBC Player of the Week three times, and could have won the award on many other occasions.
Although the team did not reach its goals this season, Jaymee Carnes played one of the greatest seasons in the history of North Georgia and the Peach Belt Conference. She dominated nearly every game she played and was the go-to player in the clutch for the Lady Saints this season.
North Georgia was a very young team this past season, and will only graduate two players (Lindsey Moss and Kari McCann). The future looks bright for this group of girls, who should they stay together, will return all five starters and their key reserves as well. With the league's best player returning next year, and a lot of youthful experience, the Lady Saints have much to look forward to in 2012-13.
The 2011-12 all-conference team is listed below. Coaches were not permitted to vote for their own players.
2011-12 Peach Belt Women's Basketball
All-Conference Team
First Team
Jaymee Carnes, North Georgia
Hannah DeGraffinreed, USC Aiken
Dominique Gilbert, Columbus State
Kayla Harris, USC Aiken
Tanisha Woodard, Clayton State
Second Team
Terra Branch, GSW
Brittany Hall, Clayton State
Brittni Johnson, Lander
Jasmine Judge, Lander
Ciara Lyons, Lander
Third Team
Courtney Bolton, UNC Pembroke
Drameka Griggs, Clayton State
Shanteona Keys, Georgia College
Adrian Randall, GSW
Mauri Wells, Armstrong
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