(Editor's note: DCC release)
GLENDIVE - At the beginning of the school year, Dawson Community College head women's basketball coach Romeo Lagmay, Jr. predicted an exciting season for freshman center Ashya Klopfenstein.
"I think at the pace she's going, and with more advanced skill work, she should have a legitimate shot at being a NJCAA all-American by the time she graduates," Lagmay, Jr. said on December 16.
Turns out he didn't give her enough credit.
Klopfenstein was voted a Women's Basketball Coaches Association Honorable Mention All-American Saturday. The Howe, Indiana native was also named to the Mon-Dak all-conference second team.
Klopfenstein averaged 16 points and 8 rebounds in conference. She scored a total of 367 points, averaging 1.5 blocks, 3.5 steals, and shooting 56% from the field. In different games throughout the season, she had game highs of 34 points, 19 rebounds, 8 steals and she had three games with 4 blocks. Klopfenstein also recorded 9 double doubles this past season. She led the conference in steals and blocks, and was twice named Conference Player of the Week. Her 19 rebounds in a single game was the second most by a Lady Buccaneer in the history of the program.
"Ashya is well-deserving of her accomplishments. On the court, she is a beast," Lagmay, Jr. said. "In the classroom, she's just as successful, being on the honor roll in the first semester, and hopefully again this semester. She's a joy to teach and coach, and will definitely be a key player next season."
Klopfenstein will be one of six talented returning freshmen who will look to claim the 2021 conference title. Ashya is a graduate of Westview High School.
The 2019-20 WBCA all-American press release link:
https://wbca.org/about/press-releases/player-year-felmas-koranga-headlines-2020-wbca-two-year-college-coaches%E2%80%99-all
