Francis Marion University sophomore guard Kiara Croskey has been named the Conference Carolinas women's basketball Player of the Year as the post-season awards were announced on Thursday (March 5), while Patriot head coach Jeri Porter has been named the Coach of the Year for the second consecutive year.

Croskey, who was named the Freshman of the Year last season, was also selected to the 2026 All-Defensive Team.

Porter guided the Patriots to a 19-9 regular-season mark, the East Division title, and the top seed in this week's Conference Carolinas Tournament in Spartanburg, S.C.

She accomplished this while losing two starters and a top reserve to season-ending injuries within the first 11 games of the season.  In her 11th season on the FMU bench, Porter's 186 wins ranks second among all Patriot coaches in program history.  Altogether, Porter has 26 years experience as a collegiate head coach and has recorded 394 career victories.

Croskey, a native of Sumter, S.C., started all 28 regular-season games this season and is averaging 18.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and a conference-leading 3.6 steals per game.  She has connected on 46.9 percent of her field goal attempts and is shooting 83.0 percent at the free throw line.  She has scored in double figures 26 times, including 15 games of 20 or more points.  She was named the conference's Player of the Week twice this season and Defensive Player of the Week twice as well. She ranks among the Top 18 in the conference in eight different categories, including second in scoring and third in free throw percentage.

It is the third time in four seasons that a Patriot has captured Player of the Year accolades, after Lauryn Taylor earned the award in 2024 and 2023.

Francis Marion will play in the first semifinal contest on Saturday at 5:15 p.m. in Wofford College's Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium against the winner of Friday's quarterfinal game between fourth-seeded Shorter University (17-12) and fifth-seeded Lees-McRae College (20-7).

Daily admission tickets are $12 for adults with children 12-and-under free.  Conference Carolinas member institution's faculty and student are admitted free with valid identification.  Tickets are available HERE

Saturday's second semifinal will tip-off at 7:30 p.m. with the championship game set for Sunday at 4 p.m.

Croskey graduated from Sumter High School and is majoring in healthcare administration.

   
 Head Coach Jeri Porter               Kiara Croskey