Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Sarah Rolling of Iowa Central shoots during the regular season inside Hodges Fieldhouse.

The Iowa Central women hit their stride late in the season, advancing to the Region XI semifinals.

For their efforts, two Tritons were named to the all-ICCAC second team: sophomore Sarah Rolling and freshman Brittany West.

“Both were very deserving of the honors,” ICCC head coach Kelly Kruger said. “They both did everything we asked of them and more.”

Kirkwood won the regional crown, advancing to the NJCAA Div. II National Tournament. The Eagles bested NIACC in the finals after the Trojans knocked out Iowa Central.

Rolling, who played at North Union before coming to Iowa Central, averaged 10 points and seven rebounds per game in league play. She shot almost 51 percent overall on the season and was an 81 percent shooter from the free throw line.

“Sarah had a really good sophomore season,” Kruger said. “I felt like she took some steps in the right direction as a player.

“She gave us good inside balance, worked to improve her 3-point shooting and was good on the glass playing undersized.”

From Kruger’s perspective as a coach, though, one other trait stood out more than points or rebounds from Rolling.

“She was always working hard and was always about the team,” Kruger said. “She was a great communicator on the floor and led us in that area.”

West, from Minnesota, posted 12.4 points per game in ICCAC play and 13.1 overall. She also averaged five rebounds, shot 82 percent from the free throw line, 43 percent from the field and knocked down 68 three-pointers.

“Brittany had a really good freshman year, providing us good balance on offense with her high basketball IQ,” Kruger said. “She’d be the first to admit she isn’t a great athlete, but she is a basketball player.

“She played AAU and played against high competition, so we weren’t surprised that she made the transition from high school to college.”

Rolling also made the all-tournament team.

Southeastern’s Nadirah Oakman earned conference player of the year and Kim Muhl from Kirkwood was the coach of the year.

ICCAC DIV. II ALL-REGION

First Team

Molly Mitchell, DMACC, soph.; Emily Ferrier, Ellsworth, fr.; Mia Wassink, Iowa Lakes, soph.; Awal Ajak, Kirkwood, soph.; Tayana Wilson, Kirkwood, soph.; Megan Axcell, Kirkwood, soph.; Taylor Laabs, NIACC, soph.; Mikayla Homola, NIACC, fr.; UU Longs, NIACC, soph.; Nadirah Oakman, Southeastern, soph.

Second Team

Brittany West, Iowa Central, fr.; Sarah Rolling, Iowa Central, soph.; Joniqua Clark, DMACC, soph.; Beth Atwood, DMACC, soph.; Alicia Limones, Ellsworth, fr.; Lemia Ntor-Ue, Iowa Lakes, soph.; Olivia Usher, Kirkwood, soph.; Nyachristmas Puok, Kirkwood, soph.; Jazlynn Muniz, Little Priest, soph.; Khalilah Holloway, NIACC, soph.; Makenzie Pezley, Southeastern, fr.; T’Keyah Stapelton, Southwestern, soph.

Third Team

Regan Shockley, DMACC, soph.; Marissa Ruiz, Iowa Lakes, soph.; Marisela Perez, Iowa Lakes, soph.; Calynn Jackson, Iowa Lakes, fr.; Arika Wooldridge, Kirkwood, soph.; Cici Kieger, NIACC, fr.; Ciera Walker, Southeastern, soph.; Andreisha Waller, Southeastern, fr.; Keaundra Washington, Southwestern, soph.; Jasmine Aviles, Southwestern, fr.