Basketball New Zealand announces post-season honors

Jess Bygate was named MVP of the league after leading her team, the Nelson Sparks, to the 2012 New Zealand Women’s Basketball Championship recently. The Sparks, 2011 runners-up, made easy work of the Waitakere West Auckland in the championship game, 61-40, with Bygate contributing 10 points and 12 rebounds during the contest. Joining Bygate on the All-Tournament team were teammates Jodi Kikuroa and Nikki Rampton, along with Saraya Umaga-Jensen of Otago Oceana Goldrush, and Rotorua Vols’ Aroha Jennings, who was also the tournament’s leading scorer.

2012 Women’s Basketball Championship
WBC Championship Winners – Nelson Sparks
WBC Plate Winners – Waikato Wizards
MVP of the Year – Jess Bygate (Nelson Sparks)
WBC All-Star Five – Jess Bygate (Nelson Sparks), Jodi Hikuroa (Nelson Sparks), Aroha Jennings (Rotorua Vols), Nikki Rampton (Nelson Sparks), Soraya Umaga-Jensen (Otago Goldrush)
YMCA Junior Player of the Year – Stella Beck
Studio 23 Coach of the Year – Tatjana Zizic
Manager of the Year – Julie Harris
Service to Women’s Basketball – Aik Ho