Press Contact:
                                                                                                           Erin Harper
                                                                                                           eharper@rcc.mass.edu
                                                                                                           (617) 541-2477

 

February 24, 2010

 

RCC’s Shakira Murphy Named NJCAA Division III Player of the Week
Freshman has standout performances against Bunker Hill and Massasoit

 

BOSTON, MA – Roxbury Community College (RCC) Women’s Basketball player, Shakira Murphy, was named the National Junior College Athletic Association’s (NJCAA) Division III Player of the Week for the week ending February 21, 2010.

 

The 5’4” guard from Warren Harding High School, in Bridgeport, CT, averaged 12.5 points, six steals and three assists over two games during the week for the RCC Lady Tigers, whose record now stands at 25-3.  In a 78-32 win over Bunker Hill Community College in a Massachusetts Community College Athletic Association (MCCAC) Tournament semi-final match-up on February 20, Murphy posted 14 points, five steals and three assists in just 15 minutes of action.  The following day, in the MCCAC Tournament Championship Game against Massasoit Community College, she continued her stellar weekend, posting 11 points, seven steals and three assists in 21 minutes of playing time, leading the Lady Tigers to an 81-45 victory. 

 

Roxbury Head Coach, Mark Leszczyk, lauded Murphy’s play:  “While our starters were every bit as effective as we hoped they would be, it was the defensive intensity and instant offense that Shakira provided us off the bench in the Championship Game that broke open a seven point halftime lead into what turned out to be a convincing victory for Roxbury. Shakira's energy level was contagious and provided a boost to the entire team.”

 

Roxbury finished the regular season ranked seventh in the NJCAA National Poll.  They will play UCONN-Avery Point in a semi-final match-up at the NJCAA Region XXI Tournament this Saturday at 2 p.m. at Massasoit Community College (Brockton, MA).

 

Visit http://njcaa.org/newsArticle.cfm?articleID=10530 for more information on Murphy being named NJCAA Player of the Week.

 

About Roxbury Community College:

Roxbury Community College, founded in 1973, is a two-year, state-supported, co-educational institution of higher learning offering Associate Degrees and certificates to members of the Greater Boston Community.  RCC currently offers 27 degree programs of study and 11 certificate programs.  Educational experiences in the classroom are complimented by those in athletics which promote discipline, teamwork, leadership and good sportsmanship.  RCC is also recognized as the first Junior College inducted into the N.E. Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003.  In 2000, the RCC Men’s Basketball Team won the NJCAA Division III National Championship.