North Idaho College sophomores Kama Griffitts, Tugce Canitez and Michael Hale have added to an already full trophy case after being named to the NJCAA All-American team for the 2010-11 season.

Griffitts, a 5-foot-11 guard from Coeur d'Alene High, was named to the second team after being named the NJCAA tournament MVP and averaged 16.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and had 77 assists for the Cardinals as the team won their first national championship March 19 in Salina, Kan.

"I wasn't really expecting anything," said Griffitts of the honor. "I was really happy with the way I played at nationals and the team played. I haven't really thought about the All-American thing."

Griffitts will move on to the University of Arizona in the fall to join the Wildcats basketball program.

"It really meant a lot playing here," Griffitts said. "Getting a chance to play in my hometown and with the local girls, it was a great opportunity to play here and I had a blast. I can't wait to get to Arizona. I'm ready for the next step, getting to school and getting involved with the program. I'm ready to begin my next journey."

Carlson also commended Griffitts for her leadership during her sophomore season.

"Even beyond her scoring ability, we needed her to be able to rebound and she went out and got 10 rebounds the next night," Carlson said. "I told her at the national tournament, our No. 3 needs to be a great rebounder and she was on the boards. Just her leadership was one on the things that made her an All-American.”

Canitez, a 6-2 forward from Izmir, Turkey, who was named to the second team last year, was a first team selection in 2010-11.

“Both Kama and Tugce have done such an outstanding job,” Carlson said. “Whether it was Kama with a great shot or Tugce with a put-back and rebound, they’re both deserving of their All-American honors. We won the whole stinkin’ thing and both were key ingredients to us winning a national championship.”

Canitez averaged 15.2 points and 9.8 rebounds per game for NIC as a sophomore.

Hale, a 5-10 point guard from Federal Way, Wash., was named to the second-team for the second straight year, the first time since Jared Phay took over the program in 2003.

“He’s obviously been very valuable to us over the past two years,” Phay said. “I can definitely say he was our MVP this year. He’s had two great years here.”

Hale finished the season with 17.9 points, four assists and two steals per game and is the first two-time All-American in men’s school history.

“It’s going to be tough to replace him,” Phay said of Hale’s departure. “The point guard is the most important place on the floor to me and that’s where we’re at recruiting. We’re trying to find someone similar to him on the court, but it’s going to be tough.”

Hale is still weighing his playing options for next season, including Creighton, Montana, Hawaii and the University of Texas-San Antonio.

“I know he’s got a couple of visits lined up for the next couple of weeks,” Phay said. “I’m proud of him. He’s a great kid and deserves it.”

Pierre Jackson of Southern Idaho was named to the men’s first team. Alfonzo Hubbard was an honorable mention for Salt Lake.

Southern Idaho won the men’s national title in Hutchinson, Kan. in March.

Haley Holmstead of Salt Lake (first team) and Laurel Kearsley of Southern Idaho (honorable mention) were also named to the Division I women’s list.