Bobcat Women Place Four on All- Big Sky Teams
3/8/2011 11:55:54 AM | Women's Basketball
The Montana State women’s basketball team showed its balance as four players garnered all-Big Sky Conference accolades, as announced by the league office.
The Montana State women's basketball team showed its balance as four players garnered all-Big Sky Conference accolades, as announced by the league office.
Rachel Semansky, Sarah Balian, Katie Bussey and Lyndi Seidensticker were all honored for their play this season.
Semansky, a sophomore from Highwood, garnered first-team recognition for her efforts. This season, she has been in double-digit scoring in all 16 Big Sky games, and had posted eight double-doubles, as well. Semansky ranks second in the conference in scoring, rebounding, field-goal percentage, steals and offensive boards. In addition, her 54 percent shooting prowess ranks 26th in the nation.
“Rachel was recognized for her consistency in all facets of the game,” said MSU head coach Tricia Binford. “When some kids go down, Rachel really stepped-up her game and has become one of the best post players in the Big Sky Conference.”
Balian, a senior from Shoreline, Wash., was named to the all second-team, as well as being named Co-Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season. She currently ranks first in blocked shots and defensive boards, third in rebounding and tenth in scoring.
“Sarah has sacrificed a lot for our team and that has made her our best overall player,” Binford said. “She is a great leader and the best defensive player in the Big Sky over the past two seasons.”
Bussey, a junior from Alamosa, Colo., garnered second-team all-league honors as well, after being named to the honorable-mention squad last winter. Bussey currently leads the Bobcats averaging 14.3 points per game. Two weeks ago, she became MSU's all-time leader in three point makes. On the season, Bussey ranks fifth in three-point field-goals, sixth in free throw percentage, seventh in scoring and assist/turnover ratio and eighth in assists.
“Katie is a game-changer,” Binford said. “She is a kid every team has to keep an eye as she can be explosive on the offensive end. Katie has also become more of an all-around player and really stepped up in rebounding and dishing the ball around to her teammates.”
Seidensticker, a senior from Spokane, was named to her first all-league squad. A two-time Big Sky Conference Player of the Week, she leads the Bobcats with 74 three-pointers, which is the third most ever recorded in a single-season. Seidensticker has been in double-figure scoring in ten Big Sky games and is currently ranked second in 3-point field goal percentage and 3-point makes.
“Lyndi has been a clutch performer for us this season,” Binford said. “She has really stepped up her ability to take the ball to the basket as well as rebound.”
The four selections mark the most a Bobcat women's basketball team has produced since the 1992-93 season when Cass Bauer (MVP), Mindy Casagranda, Jennifer Guilland and Anna Wherry earned Big Sky accolades.
“We had four kids earn six player of the week honors and they are the glue that has held us together,” Binford said. “I'm proud of their efforts and this really shows the balance we have in our program.”
MSU will face Eastern Washington on Thursday night at 5:30 p.m. (MST) in the opening round of the Big Sky Conference tournament hosted by Portland State University.
2010-11 All-Big Sky Conference Teams
First Team
Player, School Year Position Hometown
Eryn Jones, Portland State#MVP Junior Guard Lynnwood, Wash.
Brianne Ryan, Eastern Washington Junior Guard Lynden, Wash.
Chelsea Pickering, Idaho State Junior Guard Lumberton, Texas
Katie Baker, Montana Sophomore Forward Coeur D'Alene, Idaho
Rachel Semansky, Montana State Sophomore Forward Highwood, Mont.
Lauren Oosdyke, Northern Colorado Sophomore Forward Coto de Caza, Calif.
Second Team
Player, School Year Position Hometown
Sarah Balian, Montana State Senior Forward Seattle, Wash.
Katie Bussey, Montana State Junior Guard Alamosa, Colo.
Amy Patton, Northern Arizona Sophomore Guard Tempe, Ariz.
Courtney Stoermer, Northern Colorado Senior Guard Coralville, Iowa
Courtney Vanbrocklin, Portland State Sophomore Guard Deming, Wash.
Honorable Mention: Chene Cooper, Eastern Washington; Julie Piper, Eastern Washington; Kaela Oakes, Idaho State; Ashleigh Vella, Idaho State; Lyndi Seidensticker, Montana State; D'Shara Strange, Northern Colorado; Kelli Vallentine, Portland State; Kylie Kuhns, Sacramento State and Caitlin Anderson, Weber State.
Most Valuable Player: Eryn Jones, Jr., Portland State
Co-Defensive Player of the Year: Sarah Balian, Sr., Montana State and Courtney Stoermer, Sr., Northern Colorado
Top Newcomer: Courtney VanBrocklin, So., Portland State
Outstanding Freshman: D'Shara Strange, Northern Colorado
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