WBB: Mongomo Named to Canada West All-Star Team
PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. -- Maria Mongomo continues to raise the bar for the University of Northern British Columbia’s Women’s basketball program. Just one season after being named to the Canada West and U Sport All-Rookie team, the native of Las Palmas, Spain, was honoured as a Canada West Second Team All-Star.
Despite having some of the best all-round numbers in the conference, Mongomo was caught off guard by the announcement.
“This is crazy,” she said. “It’s a big surprise. I can’t believe it.”
Mongomo is the first UNBC Women’s basketball player to earn Canada West all-star status. She was quick to credit her Timberwolves teammates, who helped propel the program to its first conference postseason appearance.
“I just want to thank my teammates,” she said. “This is a team sport and that connection of working everyday together, travelling together, practicing together. You create something together.
“They should know that without them, this award wouldn’t go to me.”
Mongomo averaged 16.1 points per game, to go along with 7.8 rebounds per game, 2.8 assists per game, and 2.5 steals per game. Each of those marks was top-10 in Canada West, a feat only equaled by conference MVP, Antoinette Miller of the University of Winnipeg.
“I am just doing what I have always done,” she said. “I have been playing basketball for many years, so I just try to enjoy every game and do my best.”
The five-foot-nine guard already sits fourth in UNBC history in scoring, but says she values team success more than any individual accolades. The Timberwolves’ first appearance in the playoffs was brief, but Mongomo hopes it will lead to greater things.
“We want to improve as a team, and win games,” she said. “I think it’s more enjoyable when you win, of course. But I believe the most important thing is to enjoy the game.”
“It matters to me. It’s an honour. There are a lot of athletes who want this. When you get news like this is, you are thankful. This is a great honour and I feel very blessed.”
2016-17 CW Women’s Basketball First Team All-Stars
Name / Position / University / Year / Hometown
Antoinette Miller / G / Winnipeg / 4 / Phoenix, Arizona
Sabine Dukate / G / Saskatchewan / 2 / Ventspiils, Latvia
Maddison Penn / G / UBC / 2 / Avoca Beach, Australia
Maddie Rogers / G / Alberta / 5 / Calgary, Alta.
Katie Polischuk / G / Regina / 5 / Brantford, Ont.
2016-17 CW Women’s Basketball Second Team All-Stars
Name / Position / University / Year / Hometown
Jenna Bugiardini / F / Victoria / 5 / Hamilton, Ont.
Kayli Sartori / G, F / Fraser Valley / 5 / Chlliwack, B.C.
Keisha Cox / G / Brandon / 4 / Oceanside, California
Tessa Ratzlaff / F / Trinity Western / 3 / Abbotsford, B.C.
Maria Mongomo / G / UNBC / 2 / Las Palmas, Spain
2016-17 CW Women’s Basketball Third Team All-Stars
Name / Position / University / Year / Hometown
Kyanna Giles / G / Regina / 1 / Winnipeg, Man.
Brianna Ghali / G / Calgary / 4 / Calgary, Alta.
Megan Noonan / G / Winnipeg / 5 / Winnipeg, Man.
Kendall Lydon / PG / MacEwan / 5 / Chehalis, Washington
Kara Spotton / F / UBC / 5 / Fort Collins, Colorado
2016-17 CW Women’s Basketball All-Rookies
Name / Position / University / Hometown
Kyanna Giles / G / Regina / Winnipeg, Man.
Libby Epoch / G / Saskatchewan / Moose Jaw, Sask.
Bobbi-Jo Colburn / F, G / Calgary / Cranbrook, B.C.
Keylyn Filewich / F / UBC / Winnipeg, Man.
Emma Kary / G / Alberta / Calgary, Alta.