Wingate's Beale Brings Home SAC Women's Basketball Scholar-Athlete of the Year Accolades

ROCK HILL, S.C. (TheSAC.com) – Wingate University's Laney Beale has been voted the 2025-26 South Atlantic Conference Women's Basketball Scholar-Athlete of the Year, the Conference office announced.

Beale, a Sport Management major, has excelled both on the court and in the classroom, posting a perfect 4.0 cumulative GPA while serving as a leader for the Bulldogs throughout her career.

A seven-time member of the Wingate President's List and a CSC Academic All-District selection, Beale has earned numerous academic accolades, including the 2025-26 SAC Elite 23 Award for women's basketball. She has also been a consistent member of the SAC Commissioner's Honor Roll.

On the court, Beale has been a key contributor to Wingate's success over the past four seasons. She helped lead the Bulldogs to the 2024 SAC Tournament Championship, earning All-Tournament Team honors while guiding Wingate to multiple NCAA Division II Tournament appearances.

A two-time All-SAC selection, Beale capped her career with another strong senior campaign, ranking second in the league in assists while averaging 8.8 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. She finished the season with a team-best 103 assists and added 48 steals, showcasing her impact on both ends of the floor.

Throughout her career, Beale has been one of the league's most versatile players, contributing across the stat sheet as a scorer, rebounder and playmaker. As a sophomore, she recorded multiple triple-doubles and led the Bulldogs in assists.

Off the court, Beale has been heavily involved in leadership and community service initiatives. She served as vice president of Wingate's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and has volunteered extensively with organizations such as Special Olympics, Union Diversified Industries, local schools and community outreach programs. She has also helped mentor youth and contributed to basketball development programs in her community.

The SAC Scholar-Athlete of the Year award is presented annually to the top student-athlete in each sport, recognizing excellence in academics, athletics, leadership and service. Beale's accomplishments exemplify the Conference's commitment to developing well-rounded student-athletes.

2025-26 SAC Women's Basketball Scholar-Athlete of the Year Finalists
Laney Beale, Wingate, Winner
Breanna Yarber, Emory & Henry
Caroline Mullins, UVA Wise
Emma Pendleton, Lenoir-Rhyne
Kallie Housley, Lincoln Memorial
Keeleigh Rogers, Carson-Newman
Kristynn Knight, Coker