WBB: Louka makes Canada West All-Star team

Women's Basketball
February 22, 2018

Following a record-setting 2017-2018 season, UNBC post Vasiliki Louka has been named a Canada West second-team all-star. The conference released its annual award winners Thursday morning, and Louka was honoured as an all-star for the first time in her four seasons with the Timberwolves.

The numbers were staggering for the native of Athens, Greece, as she managed 18.2 points per game, which was fourth in the conference, and 12.2 rebounds per game, which was second in Canada West and fifth in the entire country.


“I am really happy about this. This award means all my hard work in the summer paid off. I’m not satisfied, though. I always want more for my team and for myself.”

Her 12.2 rebounds per contest, and her 243 total rebounds both are top-20 all-time in the conference record books.


Louka also paced Canada West in offensive rebounds with 73, and in minutes played with 713. Her 97 free-throws made were third in the conference, and her 82.2 free-throw percentage was good for eighth. 

The six-foot-three forward also added 22 blocks, the third-most in Canada West, while her 14 double-doubles led the conference and is 5th all-time in a single season.


“I tried to do what Coach (Sergey Shchepotkin) asked me to do, to be a leader. Not just scoring and rebounding, but my presence on the court for my teammates.”

The Timberwolves went 9-11 on the season, setting team records for wins and points. Louka points to her teammates as big reasons for the team’s success.


“My team has a big part of this award. They’ve helped me achieve it. I’m so thankful for them, and I wouldn’t be able to achieve it without them.”

Timberwolves starters Maria Mongomo and Madison Landry were left off the all-star honours, despite excellent statistical seasons. Louka believes her two teammates were deserving of all-star recognition.


“Maria and Madison had really good years. They’re both really good players, and teams were unable to focus on me because of it. They helped me a lot, and I am thankful for them.”

Mongomo, a third-year from Las Palmas, Spain, averaged 18.1 points per game (5th in Canada West), and 8.3 rebounds per game (10th in Canada West), while sitting top five in steals per game (3.1), minutes per game (33.7), and three-pointers made (46).


Landry, a second-year guard from Prince George, averaged 14.7 points per game (18th in Canada West), while pacing UNBC in assists per game with 3.1 (6th in Canada West). She also finished top-ten in minutes per game, field goal percentage, and free-throws made.

While the Timberwolves set team marks, Louka had her own personal assault on the UNBC record books.


Her 364 points were second-most in a single-season, while her 243 rebounds broke her own program record by nearly 60. She also became the Timberwolves’ all-time leading scorer with 1152 points, and leading rebounder with 728 career boards. Both marks were previously held by UNBC star Mercedes vanKoughnett.

Louka will return for her fifth and final season with UNBC next year.


“The goal for next year is to go to the final four with this team. I will do whatever is possible to achieve that. My plan is to come back a better player and a better teammate.”

Here is a full list of Canada West all-stars and award winners for the 2017-2018 season:
ALL-STARS


FIRST TEAM
1. Antoinette Miller  Winnipeg
2.  Sabine Dukate   Saskatchewan
3. Kyanna Giles   Regina
4. Tessa Ratzlaff   Trinity Western
5. Maddison Penn  UBC

  SECOND TEAM
6. Kristy Gallagher  Victoria
7. Vasiliki Louka   UNBC
8. Brianna Ghali   Calgary
9. Elle Hendershot  Alberta
10. Summer Masikewich  Saskatchewan


THIRD TEAM
11. Faith Hezekiah   Winnipeg
12. Kayla Gordon   Trinity Western
13. Taylor Randall   Manitoba
14. Charlotte Kot   Regina
15. Shayna Litman   Fraser Valley

ALL ROOKIE TEAM
1. Carolina Goncalves  Regina
2. Ashlyn Day   Victoria
3. Robyn Boulanger  Winnipeg
4. Amy Mazutinec  Lethbridge
5. Jordan Haggerty  Thompson Rivers