Basketball
2 August, 2024
Warracknabeal's Bibby named Miners women's NBL1 most valuable player
Saturdays preliminary finals are just around the corner.
Warracknabeal's Chloe Bibby has been crowned the Ballarat Miners womens MVP's for this NBL1 season.
The Opals squad player was awarded the Robyn Maher MVP medal for her outstanding season.
In Bibby's first season for the Miners, she brought a wealth of NBL1, WNBL and American college experience to the team which has helped them rise from the bottom of the ladder last season to a preliminary final berth this weekend..
She was a member of the Australian Opals' 26-player squad for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Bibby had a significant impact on the game each time she was able to take to the court - her average of almost 24 points per game made her the team's leading scorer.
She credited her performance this season to the support of her teammates.
"It's a big honour," she said. "It's been such an incredible season but more so it comes from my team, they've been incredible all year with me in and out with Opal stuff."
"I wouldn't be able to do it without them and their positivity, they're really uplifting.
"It's probably been the best thing that I've ever been a part of."
For the men's team, it was import Tyler Rudolph who was crowned two-time MVP.
Rudolph also led the men to a top-three finish this season, averaging just over 20 points, which made him the team's leading scorer.
"It's super cool, to be honest," he said. "Just being able to be recognised by your teammates and coaches for that award.
"But I think it just shows all the hard work you put in, not just as an individual player, but the amount of work our teams put in this year."
A new community award was presented to a player from each of the men's and women's teams, to recognise their service outside the game.
Nick Stoddart and Micah Simpson were awarded for their contributions to junior domestic teams.
"I think it's cool to be recognised for putting back into the community," Simpson said. "I think it's cool to see it come full circle as well.
"We both coach kids and then we see them at our game so that's probably the best part about it."
From the Youth league, it was Maisy Hammond who won the Bev Harmond MVP medal for the women's team.
22 year-old Hammond was described as the "mother hen" to her teammates, who she said are mostly about 17 years old.
"They're very young but I've been trying to be a real support for them," she said. "Someone they can come and talk to if they need someone who can be there for guidance."
Jackson Talbot was awarded the Les Hotchin MVP for the men's Youth League team.
Miners' award winners
Youth League
Bev Harwood MVP - Maisy Hammond
Les Hotchin MVP - Jackson Talbot
Women's team defensive player of the year - Emmie Morin
Men's team defensive player of the year - Dyami Hayes
NBL1 South League
Robyn Maher MVP - Chloe Bibby
Ray Borner MVP - Tyler Rudolph
Women's team defensive player of the year - Abbey Wehrung
Men's team defensive player of the year - Luke Rosendale
Dawn Jose coaches award - Alex Bunton and Mehryn Kraker
Brian Goorjian coaches award - Pete Puondak
Kelly Richardson players' player - Abbey Wehrung
Bernie Stone rising star - Milly Sharp
Rising star - Zac Dunmore
Community award - Micah Simpson and Nick Stoddart
Dennis Foley best club service award - Matt Zakynthinos