At the South West Men’s grand final in Colac at the weekend, Hornet Tim Pickert was awarded the league’s Most Valuable Player after a remarkable season in which he averaged 21.8 points per game. Pickert shared the honours with Mount Gambier’s William Feben.

It is Pickert’s second consecutive Country Basketball League MVP after winning the award in the North West Men’s division last season.

Pickert said he was proud of the achievement and was surprised to be winning consecutive league MVP awards in his early thirties.

“I’m pretty proud of it to be honest,” he said. “To win it in two different conferences is pretty special as well.

“At 33 years old I wasn’t really expecting to start winning the league MVP, but it helps when you’ve got really good guys playing around you and you get given the ball in the right spots. It certainly helps.”

RELATED: Tim Pickert plays his best in 300^th

Lady Hornets’ Ema Iredell and Faith McKenzie were also acknowledged for their terrific seasons, finishing equal runners-up for the South West Women MVP.

Iredell increased from 15.6 to 23.3 points per game this season, including a monstrous 46 point outing in round 12. Iredell said she was surprised but excited to receive the recognition. 

“I wasn’t expecting it at all, I just sort of play for the game for fun, so it is something a little bit special,” Iredell said.

“It’s awesome to have two people from Horsham finish runners-up in the MVP with Faith as well.

“We’ve always had really strong basketball in Horsham, we have a really strong association and it’s definitely all the coaching from the juniors that creates so many strong players.”

Iredell and Georgia Hiscock were also named in the All Star Five, an award acknowledging the best five basketballers in the league.

It is Hiscock’s second consecutive year in the All Star Five after being named in the team in the North West Women division last season.

Hiscock said she was suprised to be named in the five after adapting to a new role as a point guard for the Lady Hornets this season.

“I don’t feel like I’ve had too good of a season personally, but it was exciting to be named in the five,” Hiscock said.

“It’s been hard to transition roles but it’s been something that has improved my game – I’ve definitely had more of an outside role rather than just driving and trying to score this season.”