CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Parkland College Athletics has proudly selected men's basketball player Grant Coleman and women's basketball player Abby Shepard as the February 2024 Parkland College Athletes of the Month. Coleman provided consistency and range as the Cobra men's basketball team went 5-2 and wrapped up a No. 1 seed in the NJCAA Region 24 Tournament, while Shepard upped her minutes and defensive contributions, helping the Cobra women's basketball team to a 7-0 record and the No. 1 seed in the NJCAA Region 24 Tournament in February.
 
Grant Coleman, a redshirt sophomore forward from Mahomet, Illinois, started all seven games for Parkland College in February, recording a season-high 1.6 assists and 0.9 steals per game as a power forward. The Mahomet-Seymour High School alum averaged 10 points and 5.3 rebounds in 27 minutes per game, producing a season-best 3.7 assist-to-turnover ratio. Coleman helped lead the Cobras over Danville Area Community College on February 14th, 66-61, with 18 points on 5-13 shooting (3-7 3PT) and 5-5 from the free throw line, tallying three rebounds and four assists in the win. The Bryant University transfer shot 39.6 percent from the field and 38.2 percent from three in February.
 
"Great seeing Grant earn this recognition; His play spoke for itself," head coach John Bowler said. "Where he really elevated our team was his leadership. He has grown so much into a consistent presence for all of his teammates. I'm really proud of his growth as a player and person."
 
Abby Shepard, a sophomore from Beecher, Illinois, started all seven games for the Cobras in February and notched a season-high 31 minutes per game. The sophomore guard averaged 14.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.9 steals per game in February, shooting 43.5 percent from the field, 36.4 percent from three, and 76.5 percent from the free throw line, her best of the season. The Beecher High School alum scored a career-high 26 points on 11-18 shooting and 4-6 from deep in a 70-46 win over Lincoln Land Community College on February 24th. Abby Shepard, an Aviation major at Parkland College, is the daughter of Rick and Patti Shepard.
 
"When I took over as head coach, I knew Abby's ability to run up and down the court, as well as the energy that she brings to practice and games, and my goal was to create a system where we could utilize her skill set," head coach Jean Demosthenes said. "I am glad that she has flourished under that system."
 
"Abby is a hard-working individual who guards the best offensive players on the other teams we've played. She never complains about it and always does a good job," Demosthenes added. "I am excited about Abby's accomplishments this season, and feel that she is going to be a leader and an asset at the next level."