CLARION’S CIGICH NAMED FIRST-TEAM EAST REGION

            Clarion University junior forward Heather Cigich (Johnstown/Conemaugh Twp.) was named first-team Daktronics East Region Tuesday as voted on by the Sports Information Directors of the NCAA Division II East Region.

            “We are very happy for Heather,” Clarion head coach Gie Parsons said. “She has worked very hard to earn this award. When we first saw her play, we knew she could be a very special player for us, and so far she has been.”

Cigich, a three-year starter, is in the midst of an outstanding career at Clarion.

This season she averaged 20.0 ppg, 12.1 rpg, 3.1 spg, 2.5 apg and 1.1 bpg while shooting 51.9 percent (218-420) from the field and 74.8 percent (101-135) from the free-throw line. She ranks first in the PSAC in both scoring and rebounding , second in steals, seventh in shooting percentage and 14^th in free-throw percentage. She also ranks second in the nation in rebounding, 13^th in scoring and 37^th in steals. She had 31 double-doubles, three 30-point games, 13 20-point games, one 20-rebound game and seven 15-rebound games. She scored a season-high 31 points twice (Edinboro and West Liberty) while collecting a career-best 21 rebounds vs. IUP. Her 541 points this season ranked 4^th in a single-season in school history, her 328 rebounds ranked third and her 84 steals ranked fourth. Cigich rose her level of play in PSAC-West action averaging 20.8 ppg, 12.8 rpg, 3.2 spg, 2.4 apg and 1.9 bpg.

In her career Cigich ranks fifth in school history in scoring (1,355 points), third in rebounding (850), third in blocked shots (63) and seventh in steals (187). Her 16.8 ppg average currently is the best scoring average in a career in school history, and she is averaging a career double-double with 16.9 ppg and 10.6 rpg.

Cigich now moves onto the national ballot for Daktronics All-America consideration.

GOLDEN EAGLE NOTES: Clarion finished 15-12 overall and 7-5 PSAC-West … The Golden Eagles tied Shippensburg for second place in the PSAC-West and qualified for the PSAC Playoffs after a year absence … Clarion lost to Shippensburg in the opening round of the PSAC Playoffs … Cigich and teammate Shay Godwin teamed up for a record-setting night Feb. 25 in a 78-62 win over Edinboro. Cigich scored 31 points that game, while Godwin added 30 thus becoming the first teammates in Clarion history to each score 30 points in the same game.