Carrollton, GA – Though her playing career ended in 2006,
Tai (Wilson) Ellis is still remembered for her accomplishments at the University of West Georgia. Ellis was Thursday named Gulf South Conference East Division Women’s Basketball Player of the Decade.
The honor was bestowed as the GSC announced its Team of the Decade in both men’s and women’s basketball. The teams were selected in a vote of sports information directors from throughout the league.
Ellis, who played at UWG from 2002-06, leads a strong West Georgia contingent on the women’s GSC All-Decade Team. She and Dominic Cranford (2007-09) were chosen as first team members, while Ashley Huff (2007-09) was a second team choice.
Honors were the norm for Ellis during his West Georgia career. She was a three-time All-GSC East First Team selection in 2003, 05 and 06. Also, as a senior, Ellis was named both GSC East and Division II South Region Player of the Year, and was selected second team All-America by both Daktronics and Division II Bulletin.
From Brunswick, Ellis completed her career with a scoring average of 18.5 points per game, including a mark of 21.6 as a senior. Her 1,513 career points rank seventh all-time in the school record book, and Ellis’ 625 points as a senior is the second highest single season total ever at West Georgia.
Cranford, from Jackson, Miss., was twice named GSC East Player of the Year, the only West Georgia performer to ever be so honored. Also, she was twice an All-GSC First Team pick, was named Division II South Region Player of the Year in 2009, and was named to a variety of All-America honors.
Huff, a native of New Market, Tn., also reaped notice. She was a two-time All-GSC East selection and was named All-South Region.
Beyond the women’s squad, West Georgia was also represented on the GSC Men’s Basketball Team of the Decade. Guards Andy Young (2000-02) and Darnell Miller (2003-05) were named to the all-decade second team.
Young hails from New Philadelphia, Ohio. He was a two-time All-GSC performer, two-time member of the GSC All-Academic team, and was on the GSC All-Tournament team as UWG captured the title on its way to the NCAA Elite Eight in 2002.
Miller, a native of Bronx, N.Y., was also twice an All-GSC First Team pick. As a senior he was chosen Co-GSC East Player of the Year, and was named to the Daktronics All-South Region Team.
Following Thursday’s announcement, a total of nine West Georgia student-athletes have received GSC All-Decade distinction. Football players Nate Coggins, Nick Price, and Marquis Floyd, and soccer player Sara Sohlberg were named to berths on the Fall GSC All-Decade Teams.