EWU’s Hodgins, Idaho’s Ferenz on All-Big Sky women’s basketball first team

Eastern Washington junior forward Delaney Hodgins, who led the Big Sky Conference scoring race for much of the season, is a first-team all-conference selection, the league announced Sunday.

Hodgins, was joined on the first team by Idaho sophomore guard Mikayla Ferenz. Both averaged 17.6 points a game, just behind the 17.9 by Most Valuable Player Peyton Ferris of Montana State, who also averaged 7.4 rebounds and shot 50.4 percent from the field.

Northern Colorado’s Savannah Smith and North Dakota’s Makailah Dyer also were first-team selections.

EWU guard Tisha Phillips was a second-team choice, and forward Ashli Payne earned honorable mention.

Idaho’s Karlee Wilson shared the Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year award with Idaho State’s Freya Newton.

The Coach of the Year award will be announced Tuesday.

Southern Utah’s Darri Frandsen earned the league’s Top Reserve award, after averaging 12.8 points a game for the Thunderbirds. The sophomore also averaged 8.1 rebounds a game.

Portland State’s Ashley Bolston earned second-team honors and . the Top Newcomer award, after averaging 15.9 points and 4.6 rebounds a game.

The Big Sky debuted an all-conference third team this season. Sacramento State’s Maranne Johnson made the list, after leading the country in 3-point shots for much of the season. Also, Northern Arizona’s Olivia Lucero, Idaho State’s Saylair Grandon and Weber State’s Deeshyra Thomas rounded out the list.

Players receiving honorable mention included: Ashli Payne, Eastern Washington; Fallyn Freije, North Dakota; and Jessica Richardson, Southern Utah.