Lions’ Richter repeats as GSAC Player of the Year

Vanguard University senior Jessica Richter has been named Golden State Athletic Conference Player of the Year in women’s basketball for a second straight season.

Richter, a 5-foot-10 guard who was NAIA Division I Player of the Year as a junior, is averaging 20.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.7 steals and 2.3 assists per game for the Lions (22-4, 18-2 in conference to finish second), ranked No. 4 in NAIA Division I.

Vanguard senior Melissa Cook is also on the 15-player all-conference squad. Cook, a 6-0 guard-forward is averaging 15.2 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.6 steals, heading into the Lions’ GSAC Tournament quarterfinal, Wednesday night at 7:30 against visiting Hope International.

Vanguard had won five consecutive conference titles before being bested this season by No. 3-ranked Point Loma Nazarene, which swept the Lions to finish 19-1 in conference, 25-2 overall.

The Sea Lions were represented by three players on the all-conference squad, while Bill Westphal was named Coach of the Year.

— Barry Faulkner