Mesa's post players coming up in big ways all season

The 19th-ranked Mesa Lady Thunderbirds are enjoying another successful season under 6th-year Head Coach Kori Stephenson.  One of the key factors to the team's successes this season have been the stellar post play of all T'Bird forwards. 

Now, two of Mesa's premier post players are being recognized for their tremendous efforts.

Alli Gloyd earned player of the week honors for the week ending February 12 as did Jade Wilson for the week ending February 5.

Both players have been impactful this season as the Lady T'Birds hold a one-game lead for the 1-seed in the DII playoff standings heading into the final four regular season contests. 

Mesa sits at 18-7 overall and 11-5 in the ACCAC, holding a one-game lead over the 2-seed Pima Lady Aztecs (16-9/ 10-6). 

For the season, Alli Gloyd is averaging 15.1 PPG (team leader/ 7th in ACCAC), nine rebounds (team leader/ 8th in ACCAC), shoots 46% from the floor, and notches one steal per contest. 

Jade Wilson is averaging 9.4 PPG in 2012, along with seven rebounds per (2nd on team), shoots 47% from the floor, gets 1.4 steals per game, and tallies two blocks per game. 

As Gloyd earned her recent player of the week nod, Mesa nearly knocked off the #3 team in DI in the nation in the CAC Vaqueras, but fell 68-57 this past Saturday.  The earlier game in the week was a victory over Pima, a perennial thorn in the T'Birds' side, 65-42. 

Gloyd tallied 26 total points in the two games, along with 26 rebounds , hit six of nine free throws, and logged 69 minutes of a possible 80.  Gloyd's monster night of 22 boards showcased her dominating presence as Pima found out. 

Wilson, winning the award the week prior, notched 31 total points in blowout wins over Scottsdale and Chandler-Gilbert.  What's most impressive was the shooting percentage of 88% over the two games (14 of 16).  Wilson also snagged 18 rebounds, and swatted four blocks. 

With these two dominating players down low, it will make for an enjoyable run into the DII Playoffs next month.