MUAC’S De’mour Watson, Naisya Gause honored by MCCAA
DONALDSON — The Michigan Community College Athletic Association (MCCAA) has announced its award winners in women’s basketball for the 2023-2024 season and Marian University Ancilla College placed freshman De’mour Watson was named to the All-freshman and MCCAA Western Conference first team. Fellow Charger freshman Nasiya Gause was named to the MCCAA Western Conference Allconference third team.
Watson was named to the ALLMCCAA Women’s Basketball Team of 17 players from each of the three divisions. The 5-10 Freshman wing was also named to the MCCAA Western Conference All-first Team and the MCCAA Western Conference All-freshman Team. Watson, who hails from Elkhart played in the first 17 games of the season before unfortunately injuring her knee and having to miss the final nine games. At the time of her injury, she was 2nd in the country (NJCAA Division-ii) in scoring at 24.2 points per game, and she was 5th in the country in rebounding at 13.1 rebounds per game. She led the Chargers in both categories, as well as minutes per game (37.2), steals per game (2.1), and blocked shots per game (1.2), plus she was second on the team in assists per game (2.9).
As for Gause, the Lake Station graduate was solid throughout the season but stepped it up even more in conference play, especially once Watson was missing from the lineup. On the season, Gause was one of only two Chargers who played in all 26 games, and she averaged 12.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game. She was also the team leader in assists. Over her final eight games, Gause’s offensive averages ballooned to 18.4 points and 3.9 assists per game during that stretch.
“I am so proud and happy for both of them,” said Ancilla head coach Ryan Gould. “It’s always great to see your kids rewarded when they put in the time they do.
For De’mour, we were obviously heartbroken for her when she got hurt, but this just shows what the rest of the coaches around the league thought of her for her play earlier in the year. With “Sisi” (Nasiya Gause), we played her a lot of minutes during the second half of the year, but she continued to show up each night and produce consistently. She grew as a player throughout the season, and we are excited she was selected for an honor like this.”
There was an overall team of 17 players, with additional awards in each of the three different divisions (Eastern, Northern, and Western).