Montana State senior Peyton Ferris named preseason women’s MVP

BIG SKY CONFERENCE PRESS RELEASE

Montana forward Kayleigh Valley lit up scoreboards across the Big Sky Conference in the 2015-16 season, ending in first team All-Big Sky honors for the forward.

The Big Sky press corps believed Valley would do the same in the 2016-17 season, selecting the senior forward as the BSC Preseason women’s basketball MVP. However, a season-ending injury for Valley changed the narrative, elevating Montana State senior Peyton Ferris to Preseason MVP honors.

Ferris, a Twin Bridges native, made the list, after averaging 15 points a game in the 2015-16 season for MSU. She was named Big Sky Reserve of the Year, at the season’s end as the Bobcats earned their first outright Big Sky crown in school history.

“Peyton is one of the toughest and hardest-working players I’ve coached,” said MSU 12^th year head coach Tricia Binford. “She is a versatile player that can score numerous ways. She sets the tone for us on the floor with her relentless and selfless style. She’s ready to take on more of a role this season.”

UM forward Kayleigh Valley/ by Brooks Nuanez

Valley averaged 21.9 points per game in her junior year at Montana, and helped lead the Lady Griz to a fifth seed in the 2016 Big Sky Women’s Basketball Championship, in Reno, Nev.

The Preseason All-Big Sky team was filled with other players that had large impacts on their team performances. Two postseason award winners from last season made the list, representing Montana State, with Ferris joining teammate Riley Nordgaard.

Nordgaard transferred in to Bozeman from Division II Augustana. After sitting out a year, Nordgaard earned Big Sky Newcomer of the Year last season, averaging 10.9 points a game and setting the tone defensively as Montana State claimed the regular season crown.

“Riley is one of those lunch-pail athletes that has a tremendous blue-collar work ethic,” Binford said. “She never takes a play off and our kids and our fans all feed off of her energy. As with Peyton, we’ll look for her to play a more expanded role on the floor this season.”

Delaney Hodgins played a large role in Eastern Washington’s second seed in last season, averaging 15.7 points as a sophomore. Now, the Eagles’ junior leader will hope to lead Eastern Washington to its first-ever league title, and NCAA berth. Hodgins was second team All-Big Sky in the 2015-16 season. Her older sister, Hayley, was a first-team All-Big Sky selection as a senior last fall.

The Idaho Vandals, in their second season playing , claimed the conference’s tournament title, earning a championship win over Idaho State, to head to the NCAA tournament. The Vandals had several strong players, including sophomore post Geraldine McCorkell. McCorkell makes the preseason All-Big Sky list after averaging 11.4 points in the 2015-16 season.

Sacramento State is well known for its prolific offense, and one of the best shooter the Hornets have is guard Brianna Burgos. The Sacramento native was named to the Preseason All-Conference list, after averaging 14.4 points a game in 2015-16, while making 86 three-point shots before suffering a season-ending knee injury.

Southern Utah’s Jessica Richardson made the list, after averaging 12.8 points a game in the 2015-16 season. Richardson, a senior forward from Kaysville, Utah, also was an effective rebounder, averaging 8.1 rebounds a game.

Big Sky media members and sports information directors voted in the Media Poll.

The 2016-17  season begins on Oct. 20-21, for the Big Sky Basketball Digital Media Day. The two-day event will feature interviews with each men’s and women’s head coach, along with a player from each program.

The 2016-17 women’s season concludes with the 2016-17 Big Sky Women’s Basketball Championship, in Reno, Nev. The tournament, which will run from March 6-11.

Press release written by John Ogelsby of the Big Sky Conference. All rights reserved.