BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Ashton Washington, from the University of West Alabama women’s basketball team, was named to the 2008 All-Gulf South Conference East Division First Team, as announced by the conference office on Wednesday.

Washington, who was named All-GSC First Team last season, becomes the first two-time all conference first team selection since Staci Elder received the laurels in 1998-1999 and 1999-2000. The Lexington, Miss.-product becomes one of seven Tigers to receive all conference selections twice during their career.

The senior forward currently is tied for the team lead in points scored, averaging 12.8 points per game, while leading the team in rebounds with 8.4 per game. She is second on the team in assists with 85, blocks with 11 and steals with 45. She ranks in the top 15 in the conference in points, rebounds and assists.

Washington will leave her mark on the UWA record books, as she currently ranks second in rebounds with 762, third in free throws made with 256 and free throw attempts 365 and fourth in field goal attempts 919. Earlier this season, she became the fifth Tiger to score 1,000 career points with 1,028, which currently ranks her in fourth.

West Alabama returns to action on Thursday, March 6, as the Tigers make their 14^th appearance in the GSC Women’s Basketball Tournament. UWA, which enters as the #3 seed from the East Division, faces Arkansas Tech, the #2 seed from the West Division. Tip-off is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. For more information on the game and the tournament, visit the GSC Tournament Central at athletics.uwa.edu.