Anita Bulcher recognized as State Farm Coaches' All-America Team Honorable Mention

ATLANTA - The Women’s Basketball Coaches Association and State Farm have announced the 2010 NCAA Division II State Farm Coaches’ All-America Team. Newberry’s Anita Bulcher was named an Honorable Mention after her remarkable senior season for the scarlet and gray.

“This is a great credit to Anita’s ability and a testament to her hard work,” said head coach Sean Page. “She dedicated herself over the summer and fall to preparing herself physically and improving upon her skill set.”

Bulcher (Russia, Ohio) played a pivotal role in the success of the Newberry College women’s basketball team over the 2009-10 season. She ended the season as Newberry’s leader in points, rebounds, blocks and field-goal percentage.

She was the nation’s sixth best rebounder with 11.7 rebounds per game after spending several weeks as number one. Her 16.3 points per game ranked her as the sixth best scorer in the South Atlantic Conference and she had the second best field-goal percentage in the SAC at .556 (174-313). Bulcher also saw success at the free-throw line with a .741 percentage.

Bulcher also excelled defensively with 31 blocks and 20 steals on the year while limiting herself to just 2.4 fouls per game.

Bulcher recorded 22 double-doubles on the year and 11 in as many games during one stretch. Her season total ranks her in fifth place in Division II history while her eleven consecutive games with a double-double ranks sixth in Division II history.

Bulcher adds the Division II State Farm Coaches’ All-America Team Honorable Mention status to her already impressive list of regional and national accolades. Bulcher was also named a DAKTRONICS All-Southeast Region first teamer. Her performances were well recognized across the conference as she was honored as the SAC Player of the Week three times and ultimately named first team all-SAC.

Anita also excelled off the court and in the classroom and was named the SAC Scholar Athlete as well as a CoSIDA / ESPN the Magazine Academic All-American first teamer.

The 10-member team and honorable mentions were selected by a vote of the selection committee.  The committee is comprised of one representative from each of the eight geographical regions and a chairperson.

Founded in 1981, the WBCA promotes women’s basketball by unifying coaches at all levels to develop a reputable identity for the sport and to foster and promote the development of the game as a sport for women and girls. For additional information about the WBCA, please visit wbca.org.

“I commend the committee for a job well done selecting this group of players from hundreds as the best in Division II,” said WBCA CEO Beth Bass.  “We would like to honor these student-athletes for their hard work.”

“Anita never stopped working to make herself a better basketball player,” said Page. “Her reward has been one of the best seasons in the program’s history as well inclusion on the Coaches’ All-America Team.”