Howard named to Naismith early-season watch list

Howard has helped Florida State to a 4-1 start to the 2013-14 season, averaging 13.2 points and 7.6 rebounds. She started the year tying her career high with 24 points against UNC Greensboro in the season-opener and had a good performance in FSU’s last game at No. 4/3 Louisville, generating 13 points and 14 rebounds.

The All-America contender boasts 27 career double-doubles, sitting just four shy of tying former Seminole Sue Galkantas’ (1981-84) mark of 31. In her senior year, Howard is shooting over 58 percent from the field, has a team-high 13 blocks and six steals.

Against Louisville on Nov. 24, Howard moved past the 1,200 career points plateau and now has 1,202. She moves into 20th on the school’s all-time scoring list, and recently played in her 100th career game at FSU in a 76-68 win at rival Florida on Nov. 21.

Howard has etched her name across the Seminole women’s hoops record books. She is eighth with 778 rebounds, third with 123 career blocks and is just two steals away from placing on the school’s Top 20 list.

A total of 14 players from the Atlantic Coast Conference are represented on the Top 50 watch list, the most of any league. The other ACC players included are Natalie Achonwa (Notre Dame), Kaela Davis (Georgia Tech), Diamond DeShields (UNC), Chelsea Gray (Duke), Tricia Liston (Duke), Jewell Loyd (Notre Dame), Tyaunna Marshall (Georgia Tech), Kayla McBride (Notre Dame), Xylina McDaniel (UNC), Laurin Mincy (Maryland), Haley Peters (Duke), Alyssa Thomas (Maryland) and Elizabeth Williams (Duke).

The mid-season watch list for the Naismith Trophy Women’s College Player of the Year is scheduled to be announced on Feb. 26, 2014. The four finalists will be unveiled on March 21, and the winner will be announced on April 7 during the NCAA Women’s Final Four in Nashville, Tenn.

For more information on Florida State women's basketball, follow the Seminoles on Twitter at @FSU_WBasketball and like their official Facebook page (Facebook.com/FSUWomensBasketball).

Clay doubles all-district
Clay tennis doubles team Jennifer Belkofer and Emilie Roman ended the season 21-3 and earned first team All-OTCA Northwest District Division I tennis honors, while their coach, Walt Ralph, is the NW District Coach of the Year.

Both Belkofer and Roman are also all-academic and first team All-Three Rivers Athletic Conference. They took first place at the Fostoria Invitational, second place at the TRAC league tournament, first place at Sectionals, and third place at Districts. Clay coach Walt Ralph is the Northwest District Coach

Sports announcements
The Oak Harbor softball program is selling raffle tickets for an iPad Air. The tickets are $25 each and 100 are being sold. They will be available through any of the softball players, the athletic office, or Coach Chris Rawski at crawski7@aim.com until Dec. 17.

*********
The American Softball Association ENQ Fremont Frenzy is being held June 6 - 8, 2014 in Fremont for ages 10U, 12U, 14U and 16U with a four-game minimum. Rodger Young Park will play host to the event.  Entry fee is $375 per team (discounts available for multiple teams). Contact Joshua Delp at 419-334-9455 or download forms at www.fremontbattingrange.com. 

*********
The U.S. Baseball Academy will host youth clinics at Genoa High School and Owens Community College Jan. 12-Feb. 23 for grades 1-12. The six-week cost can be as low as $99, including up to $60 discount by registering now. Space is limited. Call 1-866-622-4487 or visit www.USBaseballAcademy.com.