DENVER (March 5) – Kamira Sanders won Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Freshman of the Year, leading a strong contingent of Redhawks represented on the 2016-17 All-WAC squads. Alexis Montgomery was named First Team and Kaylee Best earned Second Team. Montgomery was also selected to the league’s all-defensive team.
“I’m absolutely thrilled for these kids,” said first-year Coach Suzy Barcomb, who guided SU to a second-place finish in the regular season. “They should be proud of everything they’ve accomplished.”
Sanders, a native of Redding, California, is the first Redhawk to be chosen WAC Freshman of the Year in program history. She led WAC freshmen in scoring (7.9), assists (2.1), steals (1.5), field goal percentage (49.4), and minutes played (32.8) in conference games. Sanders strengthened her case with two terrific home performances in February. She scored a career-high 24 points on 11-14 shooting in SU’s 86-60 win over Grand Canyon on Jan. 21. Sanders then posted 20 points, including a career-high three three-pointers, in a close setback against New Mexico State on Feb. 25. The rookie immediately earned a spot in Seattle U’s lineup, starting all 29 games and playing at least 22 minutes in each outing.
“She has capitalized on her speed and athleticism,” said Barcomb. “Kamira has grown leaps and bounds from the start of the season. She’s come on for us lately and had some big moments offensively and defensively.”
Returning from injury before the season, Montgomery put together a tremendous all-around season. In league games, she ranked second in scoring (16.7) and rebounding (9.1), fifth in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.1), tied for fifth in assists (3.1), sixth in steals (1.8), seventh in free throw percentage (74.5) and blocked shots (0.7), 10th in minutes (34.4), 11th in three-point field goal percentage (33.3), and 12th in field goal percentage (42.3).
“She has the ability to do so many things,” said Barcomb. “She’s been healthy this year and that’s allowed her to play to her ability. Lex can shoot, go off the bounce, and take a hit inside. She’s such a tough matchup."
Montgomery is the lone WAC player to lead her team in scoring, rebounding, and assists on the year. She tallied six double-doubles in WAC contests, tied for most in the league. She was twice named WAC Player of the Week. She scored at least nine points in all 14 conference games, including a fantastic effort in SU’s home win over Grand Canyon on Jan. 21. Montgomery logged 25 points on 9-15 shooting, including 3-5 three-point accuracy. She also notched 11 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals in the home victory.
She is the first Redhawk to earn All-WAC First Team since Kacie Sowell in the 2013-14 season. Sylvia Shephard was the last SU player to be named to the WAC’s All-Defensive Team.
Best recorded the best season of her career as a senior. She was chosen All-WAC Preseason and followed through on those expectations, leading the league in made treys with 35 in conference. Best ranked 10th in scoring (12.7), eighth in assists (2.8), seventh in steals (1.7), 10th in three-point field goal percentage (34 percent), and 14th in minutes played (32.6). The Seattle native scored her 1,000th career point on Feb. 16 at Grand Canyon. She scored 24 points in the contest at GCU, setting an SU Division I single-game mark with seven made triples.
Kaylee bought into our system,” said Barcomb. “That set the tone for everybody else. She’s really focused on her skills this year and is in tune with what the team needs. Her positive vocal leadership is huge for us.”
New Mexico State’s Moriah Mack won WAC Player of the Year and the Aggies’ Mark Trakh was the Coach of the Year for the third straight season.
Seattle U notched 10 league wins this season, making SU one of just 10 Division I programs to increase its conference win total by at least seven games from last season.
Seattle U opens play at the WAC Tournament on Wednesday, March 8. It faces Chicago State at 4:30 p.m. at the Orleans Arena.