MSU Bobcat Women's B-ball Awards

[Old Skool Cat]

Congrats ladies!! You had a fine season this year. Coach Binford really has this program moving in the right direction and it's gonna be a blast watching them next year!

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Montana State Women’s Basketball Program Doles out Awards
MSU Bobcats Women's Basketball News : 2009-04-27 : Bozeman, Mont.
By Tom Schulz

The Montana State women’s basketball program announced their annual award winners at its year-end banquet, Sunday night hosted by the Fast Break Club.

Junior Erica Perry was honored with three awards, including team Most Valuable Player. Perry was also named Strength Athlete of the Year, and for the second straight season, was tabbed the recipient of the Community Service award.

Perry, a junior from Lynwood, Calif., led Montana State in scoring averaging 13.7 points per game. In addition, she led the Bobcats in assists and steals. For her efforts, Perry was an All-Big Sky Conference First-Team selection.

Off the court, she works with Big Brothers/Big Sisters, the Heart of the Valley Animal Shelter and is also involved with area elementary school kids.

“Erica is one of those unique individuals,” said MSU head coach Tricia Binford. “Coming from an academy, she entered our program with a lot of maturity and discipline. She is a very balanced person and understands the importance of giving back to others. Erica is the type of student-athlete we want emulated.”

Bobcat senior Nubia Garcia was named the team’s Defensive Player of the Year. The 6-2 forward was one of the top rebounders in the Big Sky Conference, averaging 8.6 boards per game. In addition, she led the team in blocked shots, and was second in steals.

Senior Mara Hoefer was named Most Improved Player. After seeing action in just 15 games during the 2007-08 season, she played in 27 contests this winter, missing two outings due to pneumonia. As a junior, she averaged less than a point and rebound per game. This year, Hoefer chipped in 5.5 points and 2.7 rebounds, while shooting 48 percent from the field.

Anne Phippard garnered the Bobcat Pride award for her commitment to the program. The senior from Kirkland, Wash., played in all thirty games, including 26 starts. Phippard averaged 6.7 points and 2.7 rebounds per game.

An outstanding student, Phippard was a four-time Big Sky Conference All-Academic selection, and was named to the President’s List (all As) five of seven semesters.

“Anne served as our captain this season and was an inspiration to the other student-athletes both on and off the floor,” Binford said. “She is an outstanding example of what the Bobcat Pride award is all about.”

Junior Jamie Thornton was the recipient of the Sixth Man award. Thornton, a 6-4 center from Pullman, Wash., played a major role in MSU’s drive to postseason play. Thornton logged double-digit minutes in the Bobcats’ last five regular-season games, and averaged 5.0 points and 3.0 rebounds. She ended the regular-season with 10 points and six rebounds against Eastern Washington.