SPRINGFIELD, Mass./BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – Simmons University's Cassandra Stapelfeld (Brookline, N.H.) was named the New England Women's Basketball Association Player of the Week and to the D3hoops.com Team of the Week presented by Scoutware for the week of November 19-25, it was announced today.
Stapelfeld joins Emory University junior guard Allison Chernow and University of Wisconsin-Stout senior guard Kyncaide Diedrich in the D3hoops.com backcourt, while Union College senior Nicole Conley and Austin College senior Bryce Frank were tabbed to the team's front court.
Stapelfeld becomes the first player in school history to earn both honors after averaging 28.0 points in three games, while shooting 47.3% (26-55) from the floor, including 65% (13-20) from three-point range in addition to sinking 86.4% (19-22) of her free throws to go with 5.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 3.0 steals and 1.0 blocks per game in a 1-2 week for the Sharks. The sophomore began the week by scoring a game-high 23 points on 9-17 from the floor, including three trifectas, and also grabbed three rebounds, came up with a game-high four steals and added a blocked shot in a 50-48 loss to visiting Wellesley College on November 20. The shooting guard was outstanding from the free throw line, going 13-14, as part of a game-best 26 points vs. State University of New York College at Old Westbury in an 81-78 loss in the opening round of the 20th Annual Dr. Shabazz Memorial Tournament on November 24 and added three rebounds, two assist and a pair of steals. Stapelfeld capped the weekend by earning a spot on the All-Tournament team after setting a school record for points by a sophomore with 35 in addition to breaking the school mark for made three-pointers with seven on 10 attempts, in a 102-44 victory, to go with a three steals and career highs in rebounds (nine), assists (six) and blocked shots (two), while not committing a turnover to tournament host Medgar Evers College on November 25.
For the season, the Hollis Brookline High School product ranks 18th in the nation and fourth among Great Northeast Athletic Conference leaders with 22.7 points per game, while leading the league and placing 14th in NCAA Division III with 17 made three-pointers. She has scored double-digits in all six games, including five contests with 18 or more points. Stapelfeld is among the GNAC's top outside shooters with a 48.6% (17-35) success rate from beyond the arc to stand fourth in the conference and is seventh with an 86% (37-43) free throw percentage. She is one of the best in the nation at getting to the line and making her shots, ranking fifth with 37 made free throws. The Nursing major has also been active on the defensive side of the court with 2.2 steals per game to rank 11th among GNAC leaders.
The second-year player transferred to Simmons prior to the season after being named the Commonwealth Coast Conference Rookie of the Year in 2017-18, while playing for Endicott College. Stapelfeld is currently averaging 12.4 points in 31 career games, while shooting 44.8% (124-277) from the floor and 42.5 (62-146) from three-point range. The backcourt player is making her free throws at an 86.2% (75-87) clip for her career and is averaging 1.7 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game.
The Sharks are currently 1-5 on the season and return to action on Wednesday, November 28 when they host Clark University at Moore Gymnasium for a 7:00 p.m. tip-off.