Trio Of Women's Basketball Alumns Earn Nod To New England Basketball Hall of Fame
Worcester, MA --- Three former Worcester State women’s basketball alumni were recently inducted into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame on Saturday, June 22 at the DCU Center in downtown Worcester. The list includes Sandra Nelson ’72, Renee Marcotte ’99 and Sacha Ashton.
Pictured Above: Left - Sacha Ashton | Right - Lancer Hall of Famer Renee Marcotte
Worcester, MA --- Three former Worcester State women's basketball alumni were recently inducted into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame on Saturday, June 22 at the DCU Center in downtown Worcester.
The list includes Sandra Nelson '72, Renee Marcotte '99 and Sacha Ashton. Overall, 10 Worcester State standouts represented the institution in this year's hall of fame class.
More than 1,800 people attended the event, which included long-time Globe columnist Bob Ryan, author Harlan Coben and Kentucky head coach John Calipari as guest speakers during the banquet. Approximately 300 inductees and six teams were honored for their contributions in each of the 30 categories.
Ashton and Marcotte were distinguished in the Collegiate Women's Category.
Marcotte earned a pair of All-MASCAC First-team distinctions and All-Northeast Region honors in her senior year for her efforts from 1995-99 on the women's basketball team. Marcotte wrapped up her career ninth on the all-time scoring list (1,167 points) and second on the all-time rebounding index (908 rebounds – 9.0 RPG).
Ashton also ended her career with 1,032 points and is ranked second in career steals (242) while she is first with a remarkable average of 2.8 steals in 87 contests. Ashton was the 1999-00 MASCAC Player of the Year and an Honorable Mention NCAA Division III All-American for her efforts in leading the Lancers to the MASCAC Tournament Championship game that season.
Nelson was honored in the High School Coaches Category.
Nelson earned over 450 victories between stops as the head girl's basketball coach at Leicester High (1974-90) and David Prouty (1991-2009). Nelson was among the first women's basketball participants when the program was first started in 1967-68 and she was the team captain for the 1970-71 Mass State College Champions in her senior year.
Nelson and Marcotte are also members of the Lancer Hall of Fame for their respective contributions to the Worcester State women's basketball programs.
Prior to this year's New England Basketball Hall of Fame, Worcester State had six previous inductees that received honors in each of the five classes. The 1979-80 AIAW National Championship team was distinguished in the inaugural class in 2003.
New England Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2013