(Editor's note: DCC Athletics release)
GLENDIVE - The Mon-Dak Conference awarded five Dawson Community College basketball players with all-league honors on Wednesday.
Ashley Orozco and Ashya Klopfenstein were both named to the 2019-2020 women's team. They were two of three freshmen among 15 total players to be selected.
Ashley Orozco from Canoga Park, CA was the only freshman named to the First Team. Orozco led Dawson in scoring with 15 points per game, along with 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals. She scored a total of 457 points (#5 in conference) and was 88% from the foul line. Her season high includes in different games throughout the season, were 31 points, 11 assists and 8 steals, along with 3 double doubles. Orozco led the conference in free throw shooting percentage, #2 in assists and #2 in steals. She was once named Player of the Week. There were only 3 games all season she scored in single digits.
Ashya Klopfenstein from Howe, IN was named to the 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 in different categories of 34 points, 19 rebounds, 8 steals and three games of 4 blocks. Klopfenstein also recorded 9 double doubles this past season. She led the conference in steals and blocks, and was named twice Player of the Week.
"We were a very young team this season with all freshmen and two returning walk-on sophomores," said head coach Romeo Lagmay. "So for us to have two freshman making all conference, with one being on the First Team, shows a lot of strength for next season. These two young ladies fought hard and had a will to win every time they stepped onto the court. Well-deserving for them."
Four DCC men received honors from the Mon-Dak. Cam'ron Dunfee and Man Man Baker were named First Team All-Conference while Beau Santistevan and Devin Collins were named to the Second Team.
Dunfee was the leading scorer for Dawson this year, averaging 16.1 ppg and 3.5 rpg while shooting 48.5% from the field, 44.1% from 3-point range and 80% from the free throw line. He comes from Castle Rock, Colorado. Baker is a 6'0 guard from Aurora, Colorado. He was named the Mon-Dak Preseason Tournament MVP and averaged 11.1 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 4.3 apg and 2.4 spg. Baker led the conference in field goal percentage, shooting 57.5%. Santistevan was also among the top players in the league in field goal percentage. The 6'7 sophomore forward shot 53.6% and averaged 12.4 ppg and 5.4 rpg. Collins is a 6'5 forward from Aurora, Colorado and averaged 11.7 ppg, 7.0 rpg while shooting 55% during conference games.
"These guys have worked so hard over the past two years and have shown so much growth on and off the court," said head coach Joe Peterson. "They didn't have the best stats in the league as far as scoring, but other coaches recognized the success of the team and awarded these guys for their efforts. I've told our guys for two years that it's not about individual stats and accolades, but if they keep their priorities right, then everything else will take care of itself. These guys have had an incredible work ethic, great attitudes and know how to play together as a team. They do a lot of little things that don't always show up in the box score. The bottom line is... they are winners."
The Buccaneers won the Mon-Dak Conference Pre-season Tournament, the Mon-Dak Conference Regular Season Title, and last Saturday captured the Region XIII Championship with a 96-95 win over Miles Community College.
The Buccaneers are riding a 17 game winning streak and play in the North Central District Championship Game at #3 ranked Indian Hills Community College on Thursday night at 6:00 pm MST. The winner gets an automatic qualification in the NJCAA National Tournament.
