By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University women's basketball players Carolyn Ho (Jr., G, Parker, CO/Ponderosa HS) and Sami Riggs (Sr., G, La Verne, CA/Bonita HS) have been chosen Second Team All-Northwest Conference by the NWC head coaches for their outstanding efforts during the 2022-23 season. In addition, Megan River (Jr., G, Tumwater, WA/A.G. West Black Hills HS) of Willamette was recognized for her successes on the court, as she was selected Honorable Mention All-NWC.

A total of 20 players were chosen to the 2022-23 All-NWC Women's Basketball Team. The First Team had six players, with five players named to the Second Team, and nine players receiving Honorable Mention.

Korin Baker, a junior forward at Whitman College, was named NWC Women's Basketball Player of the Year. Sydney Reisner, a first-year guard from Pacific Lutheran University, was named NWC Women's Basketball Rookie of the Year. Whitman Head Coach Michelle Ferenz was voted NWC Women's Basketball Coach of the Year.

"I'm very happy to see three of our players honored among the best in the conference," Willamette Head Coach Peg Swadener commented.

Willamette earned a 14-12 overall record in 2022-23, while achieving a 9-7 record in the NWC. The Bearcats qualified for the NWC Tournament and were defeated by eventual champion Whitman in the semifinals, 51-37. Willamette was 13-1 when holding opponents to fewer than 60 points, losing only in the NWC Tournament game against Whitman.

The Bearcats registered their third winning season since 2017-18. Willamette also qualified for the NWC Tournament in 2017-18, when Willamette defeated Whitman in the semifinals and lost to George Fox University in the championship game. This year, WU allowed opponents just 59.7 points per game. The Bearcats hit 257 three-point baskets and converted 71.6% of their free throws (257 of 359). Willamette averaged 34.8 rebounds, 12.6 assists, 7.9 steals, and 3.2 blocked shots per game.

Second Team All-Northwest Conference

Carolyn Ho (Jr., G) led Willamette in scoring with 11.2 points per game. She shot 46.4% from the field and 39.2% on 3-pointers (29 of 74). She was 41 of 54 at the free throw line (75.9%). Ho also contributed 4.3 rebounds. 2.5 assists, and 2.2 steals per game. She scored a career-high 23 points at Montana State University-Northern on Nov. 20 and also scored 23 points against Whitworth University on Jan. 20. She produced 10 or more points 17 times.

Ho has played in 49 games with 38 career starts. She has scored 490 points to go along with 168 rebounds, 132 assists, and 102 steals. She has averaged 10.0 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 2.1 steals per game in her career.

"Carolyn was such a dynamic player, both defensively and offensively," Swadener said. "In addition to being a walking highlight reel, she just consistently stepped up in pivotal moments of games. Whether is was a steal, a rebound, or some aggressive drives, she just made things happen when we needed it." 

Sami Riggs (Sr., G) provided the Bearcats with 9.2 points per game, while averaging 4.0 rebounds per game. She shot 76.8% at the free throw line (43 of 56). She registered a career-high 19 points versus Linfield University on Jan. 31 and hauled down a career-high seven rebounds for the sixth time in her career on Jan. 27 at George Fox. She scored 10 or more points in 10 games and hauled down at least four rebounds 16 times.

Career totals for Riggs include 680 points, 253 rebounds, and 116 assists. She averaged 9.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game, while playing in 75 games with 56 starts.

"Sami was an instrumental player for us on both ends of the court," Swadener noted. "From being a lockdown defender, to leading the break on offense, to the rebounding, she consistently brought whatever we needed to win the game. I don't know that there was another player in our conference with such a wide range of skills."

Honorable Mention All-Northwest Conference

Megan River (Jr., G) ranked second on Willamette's team with 10.8 points per game and was third with 4.2 rebounds per contest. She sank 80.6% (58 of 72) of her free throws to finish second for the Bearcats among players with at least 50 attempts. She earned a career-high 23 points against Whitman on Jan. 21. She tallied 11 or more points 13 times. River registered career highs with seven rebounds and seven assists versus Lewis & Clark College on Dec. 2 and later grabbed seven boards against the University of Puget Sound on Feb. 3.

At Willamette, River has accumulated 431 points, 188 rebounds, and 143 assists. She played in 51 games and has registered 34 starts.

"Megan was a great floor leader throughout the season," Swadener said. "Her stats didn't always show what she brought to the court, but her ability to make those around her better with her vision and ability to distribute the ball (especially in transition), was impressive."