By: Jade Richardson
Portland, OR – Simon Fraser University women's basketball player Erin Chambers (Mission, BC) has been named to the 2013-14 Great Northwest Athletic Conference first team of all-stars.
The team's co-captain and leading scorer was unanimously selected, one of only three players in the conference to earn that honour.
"It's an awesome accomplishment and I feel very honoured to be named to the all-star team of such a competitive league," said Chambers. "Playoffs are always an exciting time of year. I think as a team it is a great chance for us to continue to compete hard and show our American counterparts how Canadian girls play the game."
Chambers was the GNAC scoring leader in 2013-14 and ranks eighth in the NCAA in scoring as the versatile junior averages 22.7 points per game.
"I think one of the most impressive parts of Erin's game is her consistency," said Head Coach Bruce Langford. "She is the leading scorer in almost all our games and is able to score in multiple ways, either with the three, the jumper or posting up in the lane."
Chambers shoots 48.7 percent from the field and 83.2 percent from the free throw line as well as grabbing an average of 4.2 rebounds per game while leading her team to a fourth place finish in the GNAC this regular season.
"I would like to continue to see Erin grow next season," finished Langford. "She has done a great job getting to the line this year which we worked hard on, but there is room for growth defensively and offensively in her last season. I am sure she will be an even better player next year."
Coming off her selection to the all-conference team, Chambers will lead the Clan into the GNAC playoffs beginning Wednesday.
Katie Lowen (Lethbridge, AB), a junior guard on the squad, also received honourable mention on the conference all-star team.
Lowen is entering the post-season second on her team in points, first in three-point field goal percentage and second in steals.
The Clan open their GNAC championship campaign this Wednesday, March 5 at 7:30 p.m. in Lacey, WA against Seattle Pacific.
The game will be available for streaming on Clan TV at athletics.sfu.ca.
2013-14 GNAC ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM
First Team: +**Bobbi Knudsen, Montana State Billings (G, 5-8, Sr., Malta, MT - Malta); +Erin Chambers, Simon Fraser (G/F, 6-1, Jr., Mission, BC – Heritage Park); +*Katie Benson, Seattle Pacific (F, 6-2, Sr., Snohomish, WA - Snohomish); *Megan Hingston, Northwest Nazarene (G, 5-9, Sr., Keizer, OR - McNary); Katie Colard, Western Washington (G, 5-9, Jr., McCleary, WA - Elma); Janiel Olson, Montana State Billings (F, 5-10, Jr., Billings, MT – Billings West). +Unanimous *Repeater **Two-time repeater
Second Team: Dana Goularte, Western Oregon (F, 6-0, Jr., Port Orchard, WA – South Kitsap); Sarah Hill, Western Washington (F, 6-3, Sr., Richmond, VA – Maryland-Baltimore County); Suzanna Ohlsen, Seattle Pacific (G, 5-7, Jr., Monroe, WA - Monroe); Chelsea Haskey, Saint Martin's (F, 6-1, Sr., Olympia, WA – Black Hills); Kylie Burns, Alaska Anchorage (F, 5-9, Sr., Kansas City, KS – Bishop Ward); Kiki Robertson, Alaska Anchorage (G, 5-7, Fr., Honolulu, HI – Mid-Pacific Institute).
Honorable Mention: Chelsea Banis, Montana State Billings (C, 6-4, Sr., Fairfield, MT – Montana State); Jordan Wilson, Alaska Fairbanks (F, 5-11, Fr., Henderson, CO – Prairie View); Chelsie Luke, Northwest Nazarene (G, 5-9, Sr., Meridian, ID - Meridian); Jessica VanDyke, Central Washington (G, 5-9, Sr., Chester, MT - Carroll); Katie Lowen, Simon Fraser (G, 5-6, Jr., Lethbridge, AB – Catholic Central); Jenni White, Western Washington (G, 5-5, Jr., Spokane, WA – East Valley); Kayleen Goggins, Montana State Billings (F, 6-1, Jr., Shepherd, MT - Shepherd).
GNAC Player of the Year – Bobbi Knudsen, Montana State Billings (G, 5-8, Sr., Malta, MT - Malta). GNAC Defensive Player of the Year – Janiel Olson, Montana State Billings (F, 5-10, Jr., Billings, MT – Billings West). GNAC Newcomer of the Year – Chelsea Banis, Montana State Billings (C, 6-4, Sr., Fairfield, MT – Montana State). GNAC Freshman of the Year – Jordan Wilson, Alaska Fairbanks (F, 5-11, Fr., Henderson, CO – Prairie View). GNAC Coach of the Year – Kevin Woodin, Montana State Billings.
