Blazer Basketball Votes on Individual Awards

March 9, 2006 - Last night, the Blazer basketball team and staff voted to determine this season's individual player awards. The honors given out this season included Most Valuable Player, Varsity Most Improved Player, Junior Varsity Most Improved Player, and the Coaches' Award. Senior forward Anna Heikenen (Edina, Minn. / Edina HS) received the team's Most Valuable Player award. This came as no surprise to those who watched the Blazers this season. She was the sole senior and captain of this year's CSB basketball team. Heikenen was voted to D3hoops.com pre-season All-American second team and recently earned this year's honor as MIAC Player of the Year. Heikenen led the Blazers with 18.2 points and 6.9 rebounds per game. She also broke the all-time school record for most career free throws made (380 made) and moved up to fifth on the all-time scoring list (1515 points).

This season's Most Improved Player at the varsity level was junior post Jaime Goehner (Jamestown, N.D. / Jamestown HS). Goehner made great strides throughout the season. At the beginning of the year, she primarily came off the bench to provide depth when it was needed most. As the season progressed, Goehner earned herself more and more time on the floor and made the most of her opportunities. In the last 11 games of the season, she started 10 and averaged 6.8 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.

On the junior varsity team, first-year Alyssa Mohr (Lino Lakes, Minn. / Centennial HS) received the honor of Most Improved Player. She earned this award due to her dedication and perseverance each and every day. Mohr worked day in and day out on improving her inside game and making the transition to college basketball.

This season's Coaches' Award went to junior wing Darby Noreen (Avon, Minn. / Albany HS). Noreen came into this season as an All-MIAC honorable mention selection from last year and finished up as a recipient of All-MIAC honors. Noreen led the MIAC in three-point percentage (48.7%) and the Blazers with 56 made three-pointers. She averaged 11.8 points and 4.1 rebounds per game. Every game, Noreen walked on the court with one intent in mind, to ensure her team a victory. She did whatever it took to draw the extra foul, get that tough steal, or pull down that rebound that is up for grabs. For these intangible reasons and for her performance on the floor, the basketball staff gave Noreen this year's Coaches' Award.

As much as the Blazers will miss Anna Heikenen next year and thank her for everything she has given Blazer basketball, CSB will look forward to the final season of juniors Darby Noreen, Jaime Goehner, and their classmates next year.

Peter Banick, Sports Information Student Assistant

Athletic Department
College of Saint Benedict
37 South College Avenue
St. Joseph, MN 56374
320-363-5301
Fax 320-363-6098