Bobcats Reap Rewards of Successful Regular Season
3/7/2025 1:20:00 PM | Women's Basketball
“Esme (Morales) was the missing piece that we needed and she absolutely stepped-up and shined in any big moment needed,” said MSU head coach Tricia Binford.
The Montana State women's basketball team reaped the rewards of a successful regular season as the Big Sky Conference announced its postseason awards and all-conference teams on Friday afternoon.
Montana State senior Esmeralda Morales was named Big Sky Conference Most Valuable Player, while freshman Taylee Chirrick earned Defensive Player of the Year honors. In addition, Tricia Binford was named Big Sky Coach of the Year for the fifth time in her twenty seasons at MSU.
"Esme (Morales) was the missing piece that we needed and she absolutely stepped-up and shined in any big moment needed," said MSU head coach Tricia Binford. "She's been extremely consistent all year, and we're just so proud of her, and grateful that she chose Montana State.
"And for what Taylee's doing in the minutes she's doing it as a freshman and the impact she brings when she comes in, there is nothing like it," Binford added. "It's unmatched. Her ability to create multiple possessions for us with her motor and relentlessness is absolutely amazing."
Morales and junior Marah Dykstra were named First-Team All-Big Sky, while Katelynn Martin received second-team kudos. Martin, for the second consecutive season, was also named to the Big Sky All-Defensive team along with Chirrick.
"KJ (Martin) has consistently been a great defender," Binford said. "Her length, her ability to disrupt possessions, get hands and deflections, and rebounds well for us, she just does everything so well.
"Marah's had just an unbelievable season," Binford commented. "From the very beginning we've been running through her. She's been such a vital part of our offense and has evolved into an incredible, versatile player."
The Bobcats, who are 27-3 overall, and recorded a 17-1 league mark, enter the Big Sky Tournament as the No. 1 seed and will face either Northern Colorado or Portland State in its first game, Sunday at 12 p.m. in Boise's Idaho Central Arena.
Montana State senior Esmeralda Morales was named Big Sky Conference Most Valuable Player, while freshman Taylee Chirrick earned Defensive Player of the Year honors. In addition, Tricia Binford was named Big Sky Coach of the Year for the fifth time in her twenty seasons at MSU.
"Esme (Morales) was the missing piece that we needed and she absolutely stepped-up and shined in any big moment needed," said MSU head coach Tricia Binford. "She's been extremely consistent all year, and we're just so proud of her, and grateful that she chose Montana State.
"And for what Taylee's doing in the minutes she's doing it as a freshman and the impact she brings when she comes in, there is nothing like it," Binford added. "It's unmatched. Her ability to create multiple possessions for us with her motor and relentlessness is absolutely amazing."
Morales and junior Marah Dykstra were named First-Team All-Big Sky, while Katelynn Martin received second-team kudos. Martin, for the second consecutive season, was also named to the Big Sky All-Defensive team along with Chirrick.
"KJ (Martin) has consistently been a great defender," Binford said. "Her length, her ability to disrupt possessions, get hands and deflections, and rebounds well for us, she just does everything so well.
"Marah's had just an unbelievable season," Binford commented. "From the very beginning we've been running through her. She's been such a vital part of our offense and has evolved into an incredible, versatile player."
The Bobcats, who are 27-3 overall, and recorded a 17-1 league mark, enter the Big Sky Tournament as the No. 1 seed and will face either Northern Colorado or Portland State in its first game, Sunday at 12 p.m. in Boise's Idaho Central Arena.
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