Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns sophomore Mercedes Johnson was named to the Louisiana Sports Writers Association Women’s Basketball Third Team over the weekend. Senior Alexis Green earned honorable mention honors.

Johnson led the Cajuns this past season averaging 14.6 points per games. She also averaged a team-high 6.0 rebounds per game. Just her second season in, the sophomore forward posted four double-doubles, including a career-high performance of 39 points and 16 rebounds against Florida Atlantic. She was the first Cajun since the 1989-90 season to score at least 39 points and just the third player in school history to accomplish the feat. She record 29 starts in 30 games, reaching double figures 24 times.

Green was second on the squad averaging 14.4 points per contest. In Sun Belt games, the senior forward ranked among the top of the league averaging 16.1 points. She posted double-digit scoring efforts 22 times, including 13 consecutive games to close out the season. She was second on the team with 4.8 rebounds per game.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR:  Allison Hightower, LSU
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR:  Ricshanda Bickham, Nicholls
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR:  Alisha Allen, Nicholls
COACH OF THE YEAR:  Lisa Stockton, Tulane

FIRST TEAM
Allison Hightower, LSU
Shanavia Dowdell, Louisiana Tech
Chassidy Brown, Tulane
Ricshanda Bickham, Nicholls
Adrienne Johnson, Louisiana Tech

SECOND TEAM
Brittany Powell, Xavier
Tillisha Givens, Louisiana College
Trenese Smith, Loyola
LaSondra Barrett, LSU
Hannah Kador, Southern

THIRD TEAM
Danielle Nunn, Tulane
Brittiany Houston, Northwestern State
Mercedes Johnson, Louisiana
Brittany Helm, UNO
Sharday Cotton, LSU-Shreveport

HONORABLE MENTION:  Kendra Wells, McNeese State; Alexis Green, Louisiana; Tiffany Aidoo, Tulane; Freda Allen, Southern; Trudy Armstead, Northwestern State; Katherine Graham, LSU; Alisha Allen, Nicholls.