COLLEGE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: Kempton named All-West Coast Conference

From news services

Gonzaga senior Melody Kempton and junior Kayleigh Truong were named to the All-West Coast Conference first team, announced on Wednesday.

Sophomore Yvonne Ejim was named Sixth Woman of the Year along with being selected to the All-WCC second team.

This marks the second straight year a Zag was chosen for the Sixth Woman of the Year, with Kempton winning the award last year.

The team was voted on by the league's 10 head coaches.

"I really enjoy coaching our players," Gonzaga coach Lisa Fortier said. "We have a group of women who focus more on team success than individual awards. That being said, Melody, Kayleigh and Yvonne have made great contributions to our team this year and the recognition from the conference is well deserved."

This marks Kempton's second-straight All-WCC nod after being selected to the All-WCC Honorable Mention last year. Kempton was also tabbed to preseason All-WCC earlier this year. Kempton currently leads the Zags with 10.9 points and 6.5 rebounds a game. The Post Falls native has posted two double-double performances this year and reached 500 career rebounds earlier this year. She currently is shooting at 53.9 percent, which ranks her first in women's basketball program history.

Ejim is averaging 9.9 points per game, fourth on the team, but her defense is where she really made her mark off the bench for the Zags. She paces the team in steals with 44 and she is third among the Bulldogs in rebounds with her 5.4 average.

Truong earned her third-straight All-WCC honor as she was selected All-WCC honorable Mention last year and WCC All-Freshman two years ago. Truong has led the Zags for the majority of the year and is currently averaging 10.9 points and a team-high 3.7 assists per game. She has also grabbed 30 steals and has scored 37 three-pointers so far this season.

Gonzaga competes next in the semifinals of the conference tournament on Monday at 2 p.m.

2021-22 ALL-WEST COAST CONFERENCE

Player of the Year — Shaylee Gonzales, BYU

Coach of the Year — Jeff Judkins, BYU

Newcomer of the Year — Ali Bamberger, Saint Mary's

Sixth Woman of the Year — Yvonne Ejim, Gonzaga

Defensive Player of the Year — Jordyn Edwards, San Diego

FIRST TEAM

Ali Bamberger, so., forward, Saint Mary's; Alex Fowler, so., forward, Portland; Shaylee Gonzales, so., guard, BYU; Lauren Gustin, so., forward, BYU; Paisley Harding, sr., guard, BYU; Sydney Hunter, senior, guard, San Diego; Melody Kempton, sr., forward, Gonzaga; Ioanna Krimili, so., guard, San Francisco; Kayleigh Truong, jr., guard, Gonzaga; Lindsey VanAllen, sr., guard, Santa Clara.

SECOND TEAM

Haylee Andrews, jr., guard, Portland; Kennedy Dickie, jr., forward, San Francisco; Yvonne Ejim, so., forward, Gonzaga; Ariel Johnson, sr., guard, Loyola Marymount; Taycee Wedin, sr., guard, Saint Mary's; Merle Wiehl, sr., forward, Santa Clara.

FRESHMAN TEAM

Elizabeth Elliott, center, Pacific; Anaya James, guard, Pacific; Claudia Langarita, forward, San Francisco; Makena Mastora, guard, Saint Mary's; Ally Stedman, guard, Pepperdine.

HONORABLE MENTION

Lucy Cochrane, Portland; Jordyn Edwards, San Diego; Tegan Graham, BYU; Madeline Holland, Saint Mary's; Anaya James, Pacific.