GNAC Women's Basketball Athlete of the Week Report #1

Player Of The Week

Laura Johnson, Lasell (Sr.)

Senior Laura Johnson started her senior year in dominant fashion for Lasell as the guard collected a double-double with 20 points on 10-15 shooting from the field and grabbing down 16 rebounds in a 64-46 road victory over Wellesley to kick off the season. Johnson was also active in passing lanes and on the ball defensively, collecting three steals in the process.

Rookie Of The Week

Gracie Laster, Norwich (Fr.)

Freshman Gracie Laster made an immediate splash in her collegiate debut, leading Norwich with 20 points on an efficient 9-14 shooting performance off the bench in a 65-48 season-opening win over VTSU Castleton. Laster also added seven rebounds for the Cadets.

WEEKLY HONOR ROLL

Emily Leonard, Colby-Sawyer - Had an impressive debut weekend for the Chargers, helping lead the team to a 1-1 start. In Friday night's opener, Leonard stuffed the stat sheet with 17 points on 6-of-7 shooting from the field, including 3-of-4 from beyond the arc, while adding six rebounds and two assists. She followed that performance with an outstanding Sunday showing, scoring 18 points on 7-of-8 shooting and 4-of-5 from three, along with two rebounds and five assists in an 81-44 victory. For the week, Leonard shot a remarkable 13-of-15 (86.7%) from the field and 7-of-9 (77.8%) from three-point range, making an impactful start to her collegiate career.

Xitali Montesino, New England College - Recorded a double-double in the Pilgrims' season opener, scoring 14 points and bringing down 12 rebounds in a dominant win over Lesley. She made a game-high four three pointers on just five attempts and chimed in seven assists as she flirted with a triple-double in her NEC debut.

Kiley O'Brien, Norwich - Delivered a steady veteran performance to help lift Norwich to a 65-48 season-opening victory over VTSU Castleton as she scored 17 points on 7-17 shooting and added two rebounds and a steal, anchoring the Cadet offense in key stretches and helping spark a strong start in the first and third quarters.

Madison Lebel, Saint Joseph's (Maine) - Averaged 15.5 rebounds in a 1-1 weekend for the Monks. The senior forward pulled down 17 rebounds with a pair of blocked shots in a late loss to Plymouth State on Saturday and grabbed 14 more in a 50-38 triumph over Thomas College on Sunday.

ABOUT THE GREAT NORTHEAST ATHLETIC CONFERENCE

The Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) is an NCAA Division III association made up of 14 member institutions and over 4000 student-athletes across the New England region. Founded in 1995, the GNAC annually sponsors and administers 20 championships, while balancing academic integrity, athletic opportunity and community involvement in an effort to enhance the student-athlete experience.

Stay up to date with all the latest news from the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC)!
'Follow' us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram, and 'Like' us on Facebook!

- #theGNAC -