Thursday sees us announce award winners for WNBL Division One as we continue our 2018/19 NBL awards. After counting up the votes cast by the other teams in the division, we have the names of this year's Wilson Player of the Year, Wilson Coach of the Year and Team of the Year winners! We also have a list of other awards including Best Commentator, Best Game Day Experience, Best Team Secretary and Best Social Media!
division one women
Wilson Player of the Year: Geena Gomez (Team Solent Kestrels)
Geena Gomez receives the Wilson Player of the Year award after a terrific season with the Team Solent Kestrels. The 5'10 American guard averaged 21.4 points per game, 4.3 assists and 2.4 steals in her debut WNBL season and has made a huge impact on the league after coming out of NCAA Division 1, San Diego State. Her outstanding performances this season helped the Kestrels to a third place league finish with a 13-5 record. Gomez has also received the WNBL Player of the Month and Player of the Week Awards multiple times this season.
Wilson Coach of the Year: Gareth Till (Bristol Academy Flyers)
Bristol Academy Flyers coach Gareth Till is awarded the Wilson Coach of the Year this season after the Flyers sealed their first WNBL Division One title. After a long and hard fought campaign, the Flyers finished with a 15-3 record overall, winning 83.33% of their match-ups. The team has flourished this season under captain Fiona Fox, and some new signings in Flo Ward and Cristina Bigica who feature amongst the leagues leading scorers. The Flyers are now out of the Playoffs after losing to Reading Rockets in the Semi-Finals last weekend.
Geena Gomez
On top of her Wilson Player of the Year award, Geena Gomez undeniably makes the Team of the Year for the 2018/19 Season. The American guard had an incredible debut season out of NCAA Division 1 San Diego State in the U.S, averaging 21.4 points per game, 4.3 assists and 2.4 steals.
Najha Treadwell
Anglia Ruskin's Najha Treadwell makes the Team of the Year after averaging a near double-double in her debut WNBL season. The 6'0 American forward out of NCAA Division III Stockton University in the U.S, averaged 13.2 points and 9.6 rebounds for her side, whilst shooting an efficient 53% from the field. Treadwell's performance helped Anglia Ruskin to a second place spot in the league standings as they finished with a 14-4 record. Her impressive performances will no doubt be needed next weekend when Anglia Ruskin face Readig Rockets in the WNBL Division One Finals.
Cristina Bijica
At the guard position, Bristol Academy Flyers' Cristina Bijica makes the 2018/19 Team of the Year after a historic season for coach Gareth Till's side. The Romanian Under-20 international was amongst the top scorers in the league this season, averaging 17 points and 6.1 rebounds per game for the Flyers and helping them to secure their first WNBL Division One League title.
Harriet Welham
Multiple WNBL Player of the Week winner and Ipswich star Harriet Welham earned her rightful spot on the Team of the Year this season, after leading the league in scoring. The British guard averaged a huge 23.1 points to go along with 7.3 boards and 2.8 steals per game. Welham had some incredible performances through the season, including breaking the club three-point record after dropping 9 triples on her way to 38 points against Anglia Ruskin University.
Monica Herranz De Antonio
Reading Rockets forward Monica Herranz De Antonio makes the Team of the Year after dropping 15.7 points, 8.8 rebounds and 3.3 steals per game. The Spanish star has had a terrific season for coach David Sanchez, winning the WNBL Player of the Month and Player of the Week awards on several occasions. Despite her side finishing with a 6th place league finish after the regular season, her impressive performances continued into the playoffs as she led the Rockets passed league champions Bristol with 25 points to take them to the Finals next weekend.
Team of the Year selections were made using statistics from the 2018/19 season, selecting the top two guards and top two forwards, plus one other, based on adjusted efficiency (efficiency and team win percentage) and a number of other statistical factors.
Best Commentator: BA London Lions
Best Game Day Experience: Bristol Academy Flyers
Best Team Secretary: Team Solent Kestrels
Best Social Media: Ipswich
Congratulations to all the 2018/19 award winners from WNBL Division One! We will be bringing you all the award winners from across the NBL this week, continuing with NBL Division One Men tomorrow.
