NEW YORK (Dec. 9, 2025) ---
Grace Lesko of Mercy University and
Carolae Barton of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy have been named Divs. II/III Co-Women’s Players of the Week by the Met Basketball Writers Association.
The designation, for games played Dec. 1-7, is unique in that it encompasses players from 49 Met area schools across Divisions II and III.
While this is Lesko's first career MBWA player of the week selection, it's the second for Barton who earned this award for the week of Dec. 9-15 during the 2024-25 season.
A 6-1 sophomore forward from Waldorf, MD, Barton --- who was anointed the Skyline Conference player of the week for a second straight week --- averaged 21.5 points, 15.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.5 blocks per game while recording double-doubles in both contests, helping the Mariners (6-3) to a 1–1 week.
Barton opened the week Wednesday on the road when USMMA was edged 62-61 at Manhattanville. She posted game highs of 28 points and 16 rebounds to go along with four assists, two blocks and two steals.
She followed that effort at home on Saturday by controlling the paint once again in a 78-55 victory over Coast Guard. She registered 15 points and 15 rebounds while dishing out three assists and turning away three shots.
Barton currently leads the Skyline Conference in scoring (20.8 ppg, No. 20 nationally), field-goal percentage (61.9%) and total blocks (23), while ranking second in rebounds (11.0 rpg).
A 6-0 junior forward from Northampton, PA, Lesko averaged a team-high 22.5 points and 10.0 rebounds in leading the Mavericks (4-3) to a 2-0 week. She shot 47.1% from the field while adding 3.0 assists and 1.5 steals as Mercy defeated host Staten Island 71-52 on Wednesday and outdistanced the University of the District of Columbia 73-54 at home on Saturday.
Lesko opened the week with a double-double by way of 21 points and 12 rebounds on 9-of-16 shooting with two steals and two assists in Mercy's win at CSI.
She ended the week with a game-high 24 points to go with eight rebounds, four assists and one steal in the win over UDC.
Players receiving MBWA Divisions II/III Honorable Mention for the week: Alexa Charles, Hunter; Emma Centrella, St. Joseph’s Brooklyn; Ane Valle, Felician.
--- www.metbasketballwriters.org ---