Four WNCC basketball players make all-region

Four Western Nebraska Community College men’s and women’s basketball players earned all-region honors during the past year.

WNCC’s Francisco Cruz, who committed to the University of Wyoming last month, earned all-Region IX honors from the East Sub-region.

Cruz finished this season with a 20.4 scoring average while pulling down six rebounds a game. Cruz connected on 88 3-pointers during the season and converted 116 of 146 free throws.

Other men’s all-region members included Antonio Dye of McCook, Joe Ragland of North Platte, Antonio DiMaria and Arthur Steward of Casper, DeJuan Wright of Gillette, JR Cadot of Sheridan, Alfonzo Hubbard of Northwest Wyoming, Briahn Smith of Miles City, Davin Anderson of Laramie County, Matt Peeler of Otero, and Marqus Richards of Trinidad State.

The Cougar women had three players earn all-Region IX honors. Sophomores Amber Kistler and Stormye Everett and Freshman Yuki Morimoto were all tabbed for leading the Cougars to a 24-8 season. Everett and Morimoto were also the only Cougars to make the Region IX all-tournament that concluded last week.

Kistler, a Bayard High School graduate, averaged 10.7 points and 3.5 rebounds a game this season. She also connected on 36 3-pointers and shot a blistering 81 percent from the free throw line in 32 games.

Everett led the team in scoring and rebounding this season at 14.3 points and 7 rebounds a game. Everett also had 73 assists and 48 steals for the Cougars. Morimoto finished her first year at WNCC averaging 13.6 points and 5.5 rebounds a game. Morimoto also dished out 127 assists and had 59 steals. Morimoto led the team from the 3-point area, connecting on 53 long-range shots.

Other members of the all-region team include Sabelle Diata and Mrashi Karumba of Northeastern Colorado, Pavlina Chudarkova of Sheridan, Juliana Paunovic and Samira Van Grinsven of Casper, Sara Plavljanin of Miles City, Kari Ameling of Otero, LaTeesha Nez of Gillette, Jessica Brown of Eastern Wyoming, Amanda Jensen of Western Wyoming, Sofie Lundberg of Northeast Nebraska, and Brooke Tolman of Central Wyoming.

Other members of the women’s all-tournament team include Sabelle Diata, Maty Diallo, Amy Marin of Northeastern Colorado, Micki Scally of Sheridan, Juliana Paunovic, Samira Van Grinsven, and Shanice Billington of Casper, Kari Ameling, Chelsea Rotondo and Angie Andenucio of Otero, Brooke Tolman and Nicole Merrill of Central Wyoming, and Sofie Lundberg of Northeast Nebraska.