Carrollton, Ga. – December 14, 2005 – A pair of West Georgia guards swept the Gulf South Conference East Division Player of the Week awards in the weekly GSC release for this week. Michael Ford and Tai Ellis both earned the honor for their play this past week.
Fords honor follows his performance in last weeks victories over a pair of previously unbeaten teams: Fort Valley State and Catawba. He averaged 2.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game in helping the Braves push their record to 7-2.
Against Fort Valley State, Ford provided the Braves with last second heroics. He capped a 23-point effort with two free throws in the games final 10 seconds in a 71-69, overtime win. Three days later, the Macon native exploited 11th ranked Catawba with 21 points, seven rebounds and seven assists in UWGs 97-78 win.
Ford is the second West Georgia mens player to capture league honors this season. Senior forward Antonio Shaw was the divisions player of the week for the week ending November 30.
Ellis wins her second award of the year and the Braves’ second for her performance last week. She averaged 25 points and five rebounds per game against Columbus State and Miles.
Against Miles, the Braves depended on Ellis even more than usual with second-leading scorer Natasha Liggins on the bench with a twisted ankle. Ellis responded with 24 points and six rebounds in leading West Georgia to a 69-53 win.
Both squads finish up their respective pre-holiday schedules at home Saturday evening. The women’s team faces Delta State at 5:30 p.m. while the men tipoff at 7:30 p.m. against Henderson State.