Women's Basketball News

UC's Lisa Lee Wins Baisi Award
April 28, 2005

Staff reports
Charleston Daily Mail

University of Charleston basketball star Lisa Lee, along with West Virginia Wesleyan offensive tackle Jared Surbaugh and Alderson-Broaddus guard Stephen Dye are the 2004-05 winners of the Neal Baisi Award presented by Beckley Newspapers. The award recognizes the most outstanding state natives within West Virginia Conference football, women's basketball, and men's basketball.

The award is named for long-time West Virginia Tech athletic director and men's basketball coach Neal Baisi. He recorded a sterling 263-82 record in a dozen seasons as the head coach of the Golden Bear basketball program. Baisi's teams revolutionized college basketball with their high scoring ways.
Baisi, who passed away earlier this spring, was part of WVC football championship squads at Potomac State and West Virginia Tech. The Elkins native was a first team all-conference pick at guard in leading Tech to an 8-0-1 mark in 1949.

Lee was the key component as Charleston reached the NCAA Elite Eight and compiled a program-best 29-5 record. The ex-Capital High standout was a first team All-WVC pick after leading the Golden Eagles with averages of 19.4 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. The 6-foot junior ranked among the WVC's top five in scoring (3rd), rebounding (5th), field goal percentage (2nd), and steals (3rd).

A five-time WVIAC Player of the Week, Lee also nabbed honorable mention All-American honors. In addition, she was named as the NCAA East Region Tournament’s MVP after UC claimed the school’s first regional crown. The Charleston native averaged 24 points and 9 rebounds per contest during the Golden Eagles sweep through the regional.

The winners will be recognized at the West Virginia Sports Writers Association's annual Victory Awards Dinner. This year's event takes place in Fairmont on Sunday.