Prince George continues to produce homegrown talent for its own post-secondary school and two basketball players stood out above the rest for the 2019-20 season.
UNBC Athletics recognized Madison Landry and Tyrell Laing with Most Valuable Player (MVP) honours for their respective Timberwolves’ squads as part of the program’s year-end awards.
Due to B.C.’s ban on gatherings of more than 50 people due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the school was forced to announce this year’s winners via social media instead of its annual ceremony at the Hart Banquet Hall.
Landry, a product of Duchess Park Secondary, was one of the most consistent ballers in Canada West action this year, scoring in double-figures in 19 of 20 UNBC women's basketball regular-season games.
The fourth-year finished third in the conference with a 19.1 points-per-game average and was named a Canada West Third Team All-Star.
“Madison was great for us all season long,” said UNBC women’s basketball head coach Sergei Shchepotkin.
“She is so talented and creates problems for opposing defenses with her length and ability to shoot from the outside or get to the rim. Every year she gets better and better, and I am proud of her for winning this award.”
Landry shared the MVP award with graduating-teammate Maria Mongomo, who won the women’s season-scoring race at 20.1 points per game.
UNBC's Mongomo, Landry named to Canada West All-Star teams after stellar regular seasons https://t.co/MUOPAqWPWs pic.twitter.com/IethiR04vg
— PrinceGeorgeMatters (@PGMatters) February 20, 2020
On the men’s side, Prince George Secondary’s Tyrell Laing howled all the way to the top of Canada West’s scoring mountain with the T-Wolves.
He averaged 21.9 points per game, 437 in total, to claim the season title and a new UNBC record.
“Tyrell was outstanding this year, leading Canada West in scoring and bringing a focus and compete level to the court on a consistent basis every single game,” said Head Coach Todd Jordan about his fourth-year guard.
“He was leaned on to do a lot for us every night, and he did it with efficiency. He is extremely deserving of this honour.”
Mara McCleary and Kensho Ando were named the MVPs for the UNBC women’s and men’s soccer teams respectively.
The complete list of award-winners is as follows:
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
- MVP = Madison Landry, Maria Mongomo
- Most Improved Player = Issy Bourque
- Rookie of the Year = Rebecca Landry
- Best Defensive Player = Emma vanBruinessen
- Leadership Award = Emily Holmes
WOMEN’S SOCCER
- MVP = Mara McCleary
- Best Offensive Player = Sofia Jones
- Best Defensive Player = Mara McCleary
- Green and Gold Award = Jenna Wild
- Given to player who shows commitment, teamwork and willingness
MEN’S BASKETBALL
- MVP = Tyrell Laing
- Rookie of the Year = Fareed Shittu
- Most Inspirational Player = Saje Gosal
- Practice Wins Leader = Vova Pluzhnikov
- Zane Robison Award = Chris Ross
- Given to player who shows utmost dedication to men’s basketball program
MEN’S SOCCER
- MVP = Kensho Ando
- Golden Boot Award = Stu Rowlands
- Best Defensive Player = Rob Goodey
- Green and Gold Award = Mitch Linley
- Given to player who shows commitment, teamwork and willingness
