AZUSA, Calif.-- After going 12-5 (16-11 overall) in its first season in the Pacific West Conference the Azusa Pacific women’s basketball team had a pair of players receive All-PacWest recognition. Hannah Kenny earned first-team honors after ranking in the top-10 in scoring, rebounding, and field goal percentage, while Kelly Hardeman was named PacWest Freshman of the Year.

“To go into the final weekend of the year playing for a championship says a lot about our girls. They were young, and fought through a lot of adversity. Hannah and Kelly were just two players that really helped us develop into what we were at the end of the season. So to get recognized for having a good year is special,” said head coach T.J. Hardeman.

HANNAH KENNY-- Jr., Forward, San Luis Obispo, Calif. (San Luis Obispo HS)

Kenny broke out in her junior campaign, leading the Cougars in scoring and rebounding. She averaged a tick under 15 points per game, and grabbed 8.6 rebounds a night. She logged nine double-doubles, and scored in double-figures in all but three games. Her most impressive performance of the year came when she led Azusa Pacific to a 74-73 win over Academy of Art with a season-high 25 points and 16 rebounds. She followed up that effort with two consecutive 20-point games, and closed the season with the PacWest’s sixth highest field goal percentage (.493).

“She had a great year. It’s kind of a college athletics success story. She played a little bit on a national championship team as a freshman, and then played more last year and ended strong. So it wasn’t a surprise that this year she was able to take over a leading role,” said Hardeman.

“Her athleticism and knack for the game made her hard to guard. And defensively she’s smart enough to be the trigger person on the back of the press. She contributed big time athletically and mentally as a leader for us.”

KELLY HARDEMAN-- Fr. Forward, Manila, Philippines (Faith Academy)

Perhaps no other player in the conference was as big of a surprise as Hardeman. The freshman, who took home second-team, and freshman of the year honors, adapted quickly, scoring 20 points in her collegiate debut, and followed it up with a 14-point performance against Western Washington. She registered 20+ points in four games, and helped Azusa Pacific to an upset of No. 24 Grand Canyon (Ariz.) with 24 points and seven rebounds. The sharpshooter led the PacWest with 2.5 made 3-pointers per game, and led all freshmen in scoring at 13.5 per game. The lanky forward was also one of the PacWest’s top shot-blockers, rejecting 47 shots to rank fourth in the conference.

“When you haven’t played in the United States you wonder how you’re going to do. So she came in wanting to work hard and get better. She’s so competitive, and she’s always wanted to win at whatever she does, so it was natural for her to get on the basketball court and do whatever it takes. It was really nice to see her develop into an all-around player for us,” said Hardeman of his niece.

PACWEST HONORS

Judy Jones – GCU - Player & Newcomer of the Year

Kelly Hardeman – APU – Freshman of the Year

Reid Takatsuka – HPU – Coach of the Year

All-PacWest 1st Team

Judy Jones – GCU

Johnna Brown – Dixie

Simone Holmes – CBU

Jasmine Beverly – CBU

Maylin Smith – GCU

Hannah Kenny – APU

Shayla Washington – BYUH

2nd Team

Skye Savini – HPU

Melody Ladrido – HPU

Susannah Walmsley – HPU

Kelly Hardeman – APU

Kamie Imai – UHH

Jordan Rogers – Art

Callie Rhoads – PLNU

3rd Team

Myriah Hicks – CBU

Ariel Dale – Art

Britney Machado-Potestio – HNU

Keairri White – FPU

Erica Hayes – Dixie

Lesley Vodicska – CBU

Sonia Aguilar – HNU

Honorable Mention

Kirsty Imai – UHH

Cindy Ekweozor – GCU

Brydgette Tatupo-Leopoldo – BYUH

Rhani Kaneaiakala – CUH

Kimi Nakamura – Dominican

Katy Wade – Art

Jessica Escorza - PLNU