WBB: WPG/SSK duos headline major awards

CALGARY – Two teams that split their season series (the teams' only losses) have also drawn even in the conference's major awards. Winnipeg and Saskatchewan each boast two honourees on Canada West's list of accolades, released Wednesday.

Winnipeg's Keylyn Filewich has been named the Player of the Year after averaging high point and rebound totals despite the extra attention opponents were forced to pay to her.

Her teammate, Kyanna Giles has earned the Courage Overcoming Adversity Award after returning to elite play despite two injuries that could have kept her out of the sport.

The Defensive Player of the Year nod goes to Saskatchewan's Summer Masikewich for her dominant and intelligent presence in the paint.

Saskatchewan's second honouree is Libby Epoch, an Academic All-Canadian who has a knack for showing up when her team and community needs her.

Regina's Jade Belmore takes home the Rookie of the Year title after an impressive first-year campaign saw her rank within the top 15 in four major categories.

And the conference's Coach of the Year is Al Tuchscherer, who helped his UFV Cascades return to the U SPORTS top ten for the first time since 2014.

Saskatchewan is now getting ready to host the Final Four (Winnipeg, Regina and Lethbridge) this weekend.

You can catch all the action on Canada West TV presented by Co-op.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Keylyn Filewich

This year’s prestigious Player of the Year Award goes to Keylyn Filewich. Filewich earns the title for the second straight season. The fifth-year forward out of Winnipeg is the definition of the “everything” player—an instant game changer.

Her powerful and smart presence in the paint forced opponents to double, or triple, team her. Despite the special attention she drew, Filewich still posted 17.3 points per game on the season before leading her Wesmen to the Final Four.

Filewich also shined on the other end of the court as a plus defender who racked up steals and blocks. The Winnipeg, MB product posted 10.5 rebounds a game as she averaged an impressive double-double on the season. ​ ​

Filewich was also was effective at making her teammates around her better.

From the coach:

“She has been a pleasure to coach. She’s low-maintenance, hard-working and 100 per cent committed, and I saw that in her when I coached her in 2014 (with the Manitoba provincial team). We’re very fortunate and happy that she came here for her fifth year. Everyone that we’ve played has defended us from the inside out. They’ve swarmed her, doubled her, they’ve paid a lot of attention to her and she still put up numbers and she’s player of the year.”
​-Winnipeg Wesmen head coach Tanya McKay

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Summer Masikewich

Summer Masikewich earns the Defensive Player of the Year Award after locking down Saskatchewan’s paint all season.

A dominant force, Masikewich has a unique combination of length, quickness and anticipation skills. The Calgary, AB product finished second in the conference with 1.6 blocks per-game, while averaging more than a steal per game.

The Huskies' own board woman recorded 9.6 rebounds per game, 6.0 on the defensive side.

Her high basketball IQ allows her to read offences, switch on screens and help her teammates all over the floor.

The fifth-year forward’s work ethic on the defensive side has led Saskatchewan to the conference’s top spot this season.

From the coach:

“Summer has been the foundation of our defence for her entire career. ​ Her ability to switch screens, contain drives and help teammates all over the floor, has been a key reason why we were the top rated defensive team in Canada West. Her combination of length, foot speed and personal pride in playing defence, has been an invaluable asset to our teams’ success."
​-Saskatchewan Huskies head coach Lisa Thomaidis

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Jade Belmore

Regina’s Jade Belmore is the Canada West Rookie of the Year. Belmore takes home the honour after an impactful first season with the Cougars where she put her versatility on full display.

The Regina, SK product finished the regular season in the top 15 in points per game, rebounds, assists and field goal percentage.

Belmore averaged 14.8 points, 8.7 rebounds and 3.8 assists on the year, becoming a cornerstone in the Cougars’ success in her very first season.

The guard's energy and relentless attitude make her fun to watch. She isn’t afraid to back down defences or go one-on-one from the outside.

From the coach:

"Jade had a phenomenal year. Being among the league leaders in points, rebounds, and assists shows how well-rounded her game was. Aside from the production in games, Jade also brought energy and joy every day to practice. As the year went along, I gave Jade new challenges each weekend. She always rose to these and elevated our team. Jade is a foundational piece for our team."
​- Regina Cougars head coach Dave Taylor

COURAGE OVERCOMING ADVERSITY AWARD: Kyanna Giles

Winnipeg’s Kyanna Giles takes home the Courage Overcoming Adversity Award after completing an inspiring comeback to elite basketball, followed by yet another one.

You won’t tell by watching her in action, but Giles is coming off two major injuries, one of which could have kept her out much longer this season. But Giles opted to push through the pain.

The latest injury came on the heels of two major knee surgeries, which she had to find a way to rehab from during lockdowns and COVID that kept her away from the support she needed.

It was after this long and mentally draining process, in which she didn’t know if she would ever play again, that Giles made her triumphant return to the court. She was then hit by the next injury.

Despite playing through this latest setback, Giles proves her place among the league’s elite every time she steps on the floor.

From the coach:

“It just shows her strength, and grit and resilience. She had to work incredibly hard to get herself back to this point, and she is our engine. She makes our team tick on the court. Her ability to fully recover and step on the court and give what she gives is remarkable. She gives 110 every possession, she sacrifices her body, she is always in the now, and for her to have her knee injury and then fight off the shoulder injury this year shows she’s just a pillar of strength.”
​-Winnipeg Wesmen head coach Tanya McKay

STUDENT-ATHLETE COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD: Libby Epoch

A fifth-year point guard out of Saskatchewan has proven she can organize much more than an offensive. Libby Epoch is this year’s recipient of the Student-Athlete Community Service Award after proving herself on the court, in the classroom, and within her community.

On the court, Epoch has accomplished all there is to: she's a three-time CW champion and a national champ. A naturally gifted playmaker, Epoch has a knack for showing up in the big moments when her team needs her most.

The engineering student averaged 11.6 points a game and 4.4 assists, while earning the Academic All-Canadian nod three times in her career.

Epoch used that work ethic as the president of the Huskie Athletics Council, where she was instrumental in running a number of charity drives and outreach programs to help families in need, children and those struggling with mental illness.

Outside of that work, Epoch also volunteered at Hoops for Hope, the North American Indigenous Games, Blue Cross Recess Guardians, CIBC Run for the Cure and Fast and Female.

From the coach:

"Libby is unequivocally the most impressive student-athlete i have coached. Libby is the penultimate point guard. She makes all of her teammates better due to her pinpoint passing and playmaking abilities. Off the court, Libby is equally as impressive. ​ She has done the near-impossible, by pursuing and excelling in her academic goals in the very challenging College of Engineering – while leading our basketball team on the court.

Libby is an exceptional human being. As much as she has accomplished in her career, she has earned every bit of it through her phenomenal work ethic and drive for excellence.

She will leave quite a legacy of success and excellence at the University of Saskatchewan and the province of Saskatchewan….one that won’t be forgotten anytime soon!"
​-Saskatchewan Huskies head coach Lisa Thomaidis

COACH OF THE YEAR: Al Tuchscherer

The Coach of the Year is Al Tuchscherer from the University of the Fraser Valley. Tuchscherer led his Cascades to the top spot in the West Division with a 15-3 record on the year. For the first time since 2014, UFV returned to the U SPORTS Top 10 ranking, and with it came a reputation of a tough defensive squad.

Tuchscherer’s Cascades led Canada West in limiting opponents’ field goal percentages while ranking second in points allowed per game.

The Pitt Meadows, B.C. product has a long history of success with the Cascades. He coached them to the CW Playoffs in 13 of 15 seasons, with four trips to the U SPORTS national championships.

Tuchscherer has also earned a reputation for developing well-rounded student-athletes with a community-oriented mindset.

From the athletic director:

“This award is well-earned, and it’s a testament to Al’s ability to keep his team motivated and engaged through an extremely challenging two-year period while navigating a pandemic. This is a difficult award to win, as it’s measured against 16 other programs, and we’re pleased that Al’s excellent work has been recognized by his peers.”
​-Fraser Valley Cascades director of athletics and campus recreation Steve Tuckwood

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