ROGERS, SILVA EARN POSTSEASON HONORS
Two Northwest College women’s basketball players earned postseason honors for their efforts this past season, as sophomore guard Roxanne Rogers was named first team All-Region for the second consecutive year and freshman guard Bianca Silva was named to the All-Defensive team.
BY SETH ROMSA TRIBUNE SPORTS WRITER
Courtesy of the Powell Tribune
Two Northwest College women's basketball players earned postseason honors for their efforts this past season, as sophomore guard Roxanne Rogers was named first team All-Region for the second consecutive year and freshman guard Bianca Silva was named to the All-Defensive team.
In her second season as a Trapper, former Pinedale star Rogers continued to be a consistent scorer for the team.
"It just shows how well coach (Lauren) Davis has built a program and incorporated my skills and abilities into her plan," Rogers said.
She averaged 17.2 points per game for the season shooting 41.5% from the field, 39.2% from 3-point range — nearly half her shots were from beyond the arc — and 84.2% at the free throw line.
She also averaged 3.9 rebounds a game as a guard, with her averages in scoring and rebounding increasing despite her efficiency slightly dropping from the field and 3-point range from her freshman year.
"It shows that my improvement was not just a one year thing and it was definitely a two year thing," Rogers said. "It proves all my hard work that I put in did not go unnoticed so I appreciate it."
In her sophomore year, Rogers was one of only three rostered Trapper sophomores, and she said her leadership skills grew this year.
"Last year we had our two sophomores in Darla (Hernandez) and Nayeli (Acosta) and Darla's shoes were some big shoes to fill for sure," Rogers said. "Although they weren't the most vocal leaders, their presence did not go unnoticed this year. This year I had to step more into that role and be more comfortable at the forefront of everything. Being captain in the games, and being the first person that people talk to while preparing the freshmen for a long season."
She said that last year she had the sophomores to lean on, while this year she had to look to her fellow sophomores as well as her coach for more guidance.
"It was definitely a maturity thing. I had to grow up a little bit and step into that role. I had to be that vocal leader and that's something I struggled with last year was being vocal," Rogers said.
She is now looking at four-year college options and seeing what opportunities are available, while reminiscing on her time at Northwest.
"Northwest has been amazing for me," Rogers said. "It has been great to play in front of the Wyoming fans, my parents, family and friends. I think I grew a lot here as an athlete both on and off the court."
On the flip side, Silva battled throughout the season on the defensive side of the ball, leading the team in steals with 71, 16 more than second on the team despite not playing in seven of the contests this year.
"I didn't expect it but I liked it," Silva said of the award. "We have a group that likes to press a lot and make the other team turn the ball over. It helped me to have a lot of steals. We have a loud group that talks a lot and helps a lot on defense."
She had a season high of eight steals against Miles Community College on Jan. 9.
Silva came to Northwest via Florianopolis, Brazil, but had spent two seasons playing high school basketball in Utah before becoming a Trapper this year which she said made the transition easier.
However, early in the season, Silva suffered an ankle injury that kept her out the first five games before also being held out of the play-in game in Gillette due to an injury.
"I wanted to play, I tried to warm up," Silva said. "I expected us to win the game and go to the tournament and play in that. It was kind of hard."
Along with her strong defense, Silva went on to average 9.3 points per game while having the second most assists on the team with 84 (3.7 per game) along with 3.8 rebounds a game.
"I am ready for next year," Silva said.