ATLANTA - Smith College basketball junior Virginia Johnson (Minneapolis, MN/Southwest) was named a Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Division III Coaches' All-America honorable mention, announced today by the organization. Additionally, head coach Lynn Hersey was recognized as a finalist for the WBCA Coach of the Year.

Johnson had a breakout year for the Bears, averaging career-highs in points (12.5), rebounds (7.1), three-pointers made (76), three-point percentage (.437), field goal percentage (.478), assists (45), steals (48), and minutes per game (27.3). The junior guard scored in double-figures in 20 games this season and earned NEWMAC All-Conference First Team honors.

Hersey led the Bears to another historic season. Smith won its sixth-straight NEWMAC Championship, something no other men's or women's NEWMAC teams had ever accomplished. The Bears earned the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament where they earned a first round win over Union before falling to Bates.

Smith concluded the season 28-2 overall with an 11-0 NEWMAC record. Hersey has now led Smith to an unprecedented eight straight 20-win seasons, five straight regular season titles, and picked up career win number 350 on January 31 against Springfield.

Joining Hersey in the esteemed group of finalists were Michelle Bilek (Chicago), Kelly Dunne (Nazareth), Brittney Kemp (Washington & Lee), Brad Fischer (Wisconsin-Oshkosh), Maureen Hirt (Denison), Alison Montgomery (Bates), Benjamin O'Brien (Scranton), Kendra Whitehead (Hardin-Simmons). Meg Barger of NYU earns her second consecutive WBCA Coach of the Year honor.

The WBCA NCAA Division III Coach of the Year, Player of the Year and Coaches' All-America team are selected by the WBCA NCAA Division III Awards Committee from coaches and student-athletes who are nominated by WBCA member coaches.

About the WBCA
The Women's Basketball Coaches Association is the professional association for coaches of women's and girls' basketball at all levels of competition. Founded in 1981, the WBCA offers educational resources that coaches need to help make themselves better leaders, teachers and mentors to their players; provides opportunities for coaches to connect with peers in the profession; serves as the unifying voice of a diverse community of coaches to the organizations that control the game; and celebrates those coaches, players and other individuals who excel each year and contribute to the advancement of the sport. Visit WBCA.org for more details about the association.

About Smith Athletics: Smith College is a NCAA Division III member of the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference that sponsors 11 intercollegiate sports. For more information log on to GoSmithBears.com and follow us on Facebook, and  Instagram.