A.I.I. Release - Indiana University Northwest RedHawks forward Sharon Houston (Merrillville) and head coach Ryan Shelton have been named the NAIA Association of Independent Institutions Division II Women's Basketball Player and Coach of the Year, respectively, the conference office announced on Thursday morning. The conference also released the 2010 All-Conference team.Joining Houston on the All-Conference Team are sophomore guards Nina Wills and Juliette Keller. Keller averaged 12.4 ppg and ranked 27th in the nation in 3-point baskets made. Wills ranked 13th in the nation in total steals and 18th in assists per game (4.5). Freshman center Ish Shah Terry was named Freshman of the Year averaging 7.1 ppg 6.7 rpg and 1.4 blks.

Houston, a sophomore forward from Merrillville, Indiana, had an outstanding season for the RedHawks, and was twice named the NAIA National Player of the Week. Houston leads Division II in rebounding, averaging 14.9 boards per game, while averaging 25.10 points per game, whieh is currently second in Division II. Houston is also the top shot-blocker in the NAIA, posting 115 blocks over the year, and is ninth in Division II in field goal percentage (.576). The RedHawks won the A.I.I. Championships, and are an eight seed entering the 2010 NAIA National Championship.

Shelton has coached the RedHawks to a 22-10 record in 2009-10, on the back of a decisive defensive performance. IU-Northwest currently leads Division II in field goal percentage defence (0.333), and is second in Division II in blocks (759) and total rebound margin (15.906). Indiana University Northwest will face Northwestern (Iowa) in the opening round of the NAIA National Championships.

A.I.I. Major Awards

Coach of the Year - Ryan Shelton - IU-Northwest

Player of the Year - Sharon Houston - IU-Northwest

All-Conference Team

Name - School - Position - Class - Hometown

Sharon Houston- IU-Northwest - Forward - SO - Merrillville, IN

Summer Hale - Ohio Dominican - Forward - JR - Galena, OH

Juliette Keller - IU-Northwest - Guard - SO - Kouts, IN

Tracy Snider - Ohio Dominican - guard - SO - Lancaster, OH

Kristen Ruen - Ohio Dominican - Guard - SR - Columbus Grove, OH

Heather McFadden - Walla Walla - Guard - JR - Cupertino, CA

Andrea Austin - Johnson & Wales - Forward - JR - Colorado Springs, CO

Lyvette Groce - Johnson & Wales - Forward - SO - Denver, CO

Kadie Sinohui - Johnson & Wales - Guard - SO - Fontana, CA

Nina Wills - IU-Northwest - Guard - SO - Munster, IN