LA MIRADA, Calif. --- Biola Women's Basketball received some well-deserved honors on Tuesday. Head Coach Alan Nakamura earned Golden State Athletic Conference Coach of the Year for leading his Eagles team to a No. 14 national ranking and a second place finish in conference, while seniors Annie Park and Joclyn Kirton and junior DeMoria White were all selected to the All-GSAC team presented by Under Armour.
 
Biola and Westmont were the only two schools to have three players earn All-GSAC honors.
 
"In just his second year as a head coach at Biola, Coach Nakamura has not only developed a winning program, but he has also shown us how deeply invested he is in the lives of his student-athletes," said Associate Athletic Director Eddie Shepard. "The way that his team has played this year shows that they are playing for more than just a win. Coach Nakamura has inspired them to play for each other and to represent our institution to the best of their abilities."
 
Nakamura led the Eagles to the best single-season home record in program history (14-1) and to a 13-3 record in Golden State Athletic Conference play after finishing fifth in conference just a year ago. With the GSAC and NAIA tournaments still on the horizon for the Eagles, Nakamura's 23-6 squad already has nine more wins than it collected during his inaugural season as the Eagles' head coach.
 
One of the major differences that has resulted in this season's success has been the competitive and mature presence of the Eagles All-GSAC seniors Joclyn Kirton and Annie Park.
 
This is Kirton's fourth All-GSAC team selection, with the previous three coming during her volleyball career for the Eagles. She began her collegiate basketball career midway through the 2015-16 season and reached her season high of five points three times. With a full offseason of training and practice between now and then, Kirton posted seven 20-point games this season and 11 double-doubles.
 
"Joclyn is very humble and coachable, and continues to get better every day," said Coach Nakamura. "After taking a break from basketball to star for Biola Volleyball for four seasons, she said she just started to really get the feel for basketball again in January. But she's done a great job this season of coming through for the team when her teammates get her touches."
 
At the end of the regular season, Kirton averages 14.4 points-per-game and 8.7 rebounds-per-game while recording the second highest field goal percentage in the nation at .607.
 
Park ranks first in the NAIA for made three-point baskets this season, sinking 98 in 29 contests. Park ended her season with a flourish by knocking down 11 threes in a 94-87 win over Bethesda to set a new program record for made three-pointers in one game. Her 36 points in that game was the most any Eagle scored in a single game this year.
 
Park sat out the 2015-16 season as a redshirt, but returned to Chase Gym without missing a beat this year by posting career highs in points-per-game (14.5), assists (110), steals (67) and shooting percentage (.416). This is Park's second time on the All-GSAC team. She earned NAIA All-American honorable mention honors two years ago also.
 
"Through an unmatched work ethic and dedication to her craft, Annie Park has made herself into a well-rounded player," said Nakamura. "She has put up big numbers in a variety of statistical categories, but her contribution to the team goes well beyond the box score. She is a Christian-Student-Athlete in every way."
 
Junior DeMoria White is also a two-time All-GSAC guard after leading the team with 17.6 points-per-game. White scored 15 points or more in 21 of the Eagles 29 games this season and finished fifth in the NAIA with 88 made three-pointers.
 
White anchored the Eagles' offensive attack with 33.2 minutes-per-game as Biola's primary point guard and also posted career highs in points-per-game, shooting percentage (.437), free-throw percentage (.792) and made three-pointers.
 
"Mori has a winning mindset and she's a smart player who loves and understands the game," said Coach Nakamura. "With her ability to read the game she does a great job getting us organized and calling plays. Our team really looks to her and she comes through for us time and again."
 
White's toughness and determination is also indicated by the fact she has been fouled more and taken more free-throw attempts (96) than any of her teammates.
 
The Eagles' season continues this Saturday up at The Master's University where they will face the winner of a first round contest between Westmont and San Diego Christian in the GSAC Tournament Semifinals on Saturday night.