Babbitt, Criner rack up multiple WAC awards

RENO " Nevada's Luke Babbitt and Armon Johnson were named Sunday to the all-Western Athletic Conference first team by the league's coaches.

Babbitt, a forward, also was selected as freshman of the year and a member of the all-newcomer team.

Nevada senior guard Lyndale Burleson was named to the all-defensive team.

In 16 conference games, the highly-recruited Babbitt averaged 17.3 points and 7.7 rebounds per game.

"Luke has had a great freshman season," coach Mark Fox said. "We have asked a lot of him and he has continued to work hard and improve all season."

Fox also praised Johnson, a sophomore guard who was the WAC's freshman of the year last season.

"Armon has matured a lot this season and has worked very hard to become a more complete player and leader on our team," Fox said.

Joining Johnson and Babbitt on the first team were Utah State's Gary Wilkinson, Idaho's Mac Hopson and New Mexico State's Jahmar Young.

Wilkinson, a senior forward, also was named WAC Player of the Year.

Utah State's Stew Morrill was named coach of the year after leading the Aggies to a second-straight regular season conference title.

Nevada hosts the WAC tournament this week. The winner earns an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

On the women's side, Nevada's Dellena Criner was named the WAC Defensive Player of the Year as well as chalking up her third all-WAC first team honor.

Criner averaged 2.25 steals per game and made the all-defensive team three seasons.

Criner was joined on the first team by Louisiana Tech duo Shanavia Dowdell and Adrienne Johnson, Utah State's Danyelle Snelgro and Fresno State's Jaleesa Ross, who was all-second team a year ago.

Dowdell, a 6-foot-1 forward, led the WAC in scoring at 16 points per game on 53 percent shooting. She collected a WAC-best 16 double-doubles and averaged 9.7 rebounds.

Idaho coach Jon Newlee earned WAC Coach of the Year honors, a first for an Idaho women's coach.

Newlee guided the Vandals to a 10-6 record which was good for a third-place tie.

In three previous seasons, Idaho had 11 totals wins.

Idaho's Derisa Taleni was named the WAC Newcomer of the Year.