CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Parkland College Athletics and the Parkland College women’s basketball program are proud to announce freshman forward Alyssa Cole has been named a member of the NJCAA DII All-American Third Team following the 2022-23 season. Out of 30 All-Americans, Cole is one of just five freshmen represented. Cole led the Cobras in points, field goals, free throws, and free throw percentage this past season, leading the team to a 23-5 overall record, including 9-3 in M-WAC conference play. 2022-23 marks the third consecutive season a Parkland College women’s basketball player has been selected to an NJCAA DII All-American team and the 16th All-American in program history.
“We are very excited for Alyssa being named an All-American,” first-year head coach Laura Litchfield said on Tuesday. “She earned it, and seeing her recognized is something for our program to celebrate. Alyssa’s impact this past season was outstanding and a direct correlation to who she is – a hard worker who competes every day.”
Alyssa Cole, a freshman from Nashville, Illinois, started 25 games this season, ranking nationally in several significant categories. She finished the season ranked eighth in free throw percentage (86%) and ninth in field goal percentage (59.4%), and Cole averaged 17.2 points per game (34th nationally) and 8.9 rebounds per game (57th) during the 2022-23 season.
The freshman forward scored a season-high 25 points in a December 17th win against Vincennes University – and Cole led the Cobras over conference rival Danville Area Community College on January 18th with 24 points on 10-16 shooting (both career-highs) in an 80-64 win.
In addition to her selection to the All-American Third Team, Cole was selected to the NJCAA All-Region 24 Team and the All-Conference First Team, earning M-WAC freshman of the year honors. Cole, a dental hygiene student at Parkland College, is the daughter of Shane Cole and Jennifer Heggemeier.
