Press Releases

February 12, 2002
Amber Gooden, Former Ohio "Player of the Year," Wins College Honor

Cleveland Native Named Rookie of the Week for Second Time

Contact:
Darren Johnson (PR@southampton.liu.edu)
(631) 287 8313
Fax: (631) 283 4081

Amber Gooden, an Ohio high school legend who now is excelling as a freshman shooting guard at Southampton College of Long Island University, was named "Rookie of the Week" by the New York Collegiate Athletic Conference on February 11.

The award was presented after Gooden shot 55.2 percent (16-29) from the field for the Lady Colonials, averaging 14.7 points and 4.7 rebounds per game against Bridgeport on February 7 and Dowling on February 9. She also connected on 50 percent (6-12) of three-point field goal attempts for the week. Her top performance came in the Dowling contest when she scored 21 points, grabbed five rebounds and contributed two blocked shots. This is the second time this season Gooden has taken the NYCAC honor. She is averaging 11.2 points per game overall. The Lady Colonials are playoff bound with a 13-9 record so far this season.

The 5-foot-7 Gooden, a Cleveland native, attended St. Peter Chanel High School where she played four years of basketball. She led her team to the state's Final Four and in 2001 was named Ohio Co-Player of the Year. Gooden was recruited to play Division I hoops, but chose close-knit, seaside Division II Southampton College as her home. She benefits the Lady Colonials with her ability to shoot threes and tenacity when she drives to the basket.