Northwest Notes: March 1, 2023

Murekatete among three Cougs honored by Pac-12

Junior Charlisse Leger-Walker was named an All-Pac-12 Conference selection for the third time in her career on Tuesday as the conference announced its postseason awards, voted on by coaches.

Senior Bella Murekatete was an honorable mention and freshman Astera Tuhina was an all-freshman team honorable mention.

Murekatete, the former Genesis Prep star, who was named Pac-12 Conference co-Most Improved Player last season, was named honorable mention for the first time in her career. The 6-3 post from Butare Huye, Rwanda, averaged a career-high 13.6 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. She was fifth in the conference in field goal percentage (47.6%), while her 161 field goals were the fifth most. She scored 17 or more points in conference eight times this season and collected a career-high seven double-doubles this season.

Leger-Walker is the second player in program history to earn All-Pac-12 honors for the third time, joining Borislava Hristova.

The 5-foot-10 guard from Waikato, New Zealand led the Cougars in scoring and assists, averaging 18.0 points and 4.4 per game in 25 games.

Tuhina averaged 7.0 points, 2.1 assists and 1.4 steals per game in 27 games, starting four.

Washington State begins the Pac-12 Tournament tonight at 6 (PAC12/PACWA) against California in Las Vegas.

Bea named

Big Sky Player of the Week

Idaho guard Beyonce Bea was named Big Sky Player of the Week after scoring 96 points through three games, recording her 11th double-double of the season.

In last Thursday’s win, Bea had 27 points and nine rebounds against Idaho State and tied a career-high with three 3-pointers. On Saturday, Bea had 29 points and nine rebounds against visiting Weber State. On Monday, Bea tied a career high with 40 points at Montana, also grabbing 12 rebounds. In the three games, Bea went 17 of 17 from the free-throw line.

Idaho (13-16, 9-9 Big Sky) will be the sixth seed and face third seeded Sacramento State on Monday at 1:30 p.m. in the Big Sky Conference tournament in Boise.

Ejim earns

WCC honor

for third time

After a pair of double-doubles last week, Gonzaga junior forward Yvonne Ejim was named West Coast Conference women’s Player of the Week for the third time this season.

Ejim averaged a double-double with 15.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game, with three assists in each game.

Gonzaga clinced its 18th conference title, finishing 17-1 in conference play.

Ejim was also honored on Nov. 14 and Nov. 21.