Women's Basketball | 03.01.2021

CORVALLIS, Ore. – After dominating in the conference tournament, the Cascade Conference Champion LC State Warrior women swept the all-conference selections and grabbed three of the five awards. Kiara Burlage was named the Cascade Conference Player of Year, Abbie Johnson was voted the conference Defender of the Year, and Brian Orr was tabbed the Coach of the Year. The No. 22 Warriors' starting five earned all five all-conference honor.
 
"Although only two teams were eligible for postseason awards, having five players receive all-conference honors is still very special," Orr said. "I was really happy that Abbie was recognized for her defense. And no one is more deserving than Kiara. Her work ethic in practice is second to none."
 
Burlage currently leads LC State in scoring (16.8 points per game) and rebounding (6.9 rebounds per game), while shooting a team-high 3-point percentage (.417) and free throw percentage (.752). She is second on the team in field goal percentage (.495). Burlage scored a career-best 34 points and set the program record for free throws in a game with 18 at Montana State-Northern. She made 13 in a row to set another single-game record. The senior from Columbia Falls, Mont. joined the 1,000-Point Club earlier this season and now has 1,040 as a Warrior. A three-time Cascade Conference Player of the Week winner, she was voted First-Team All-Frontier Conference and was a Third-Team All-American last season.
 
Heading into the national tournament, Johnson leads the Warriors in field goal percentage (.513) and is second in the squad in rebounding (5.9 per game), blocks (14) and steals (28). She scored a career-high 26 points this season at home against Montana State-Billings, and grabbed a season-best 13 boards against MSUN. Johnson drained a personal-best 13 foul shots against MSUB. She was twice voted the Cascade Conference Player of the Week. This is the first all-conference honor for the senior from Cashmere, Wash.
 
Orr will wrap up his 20^th season at the helm after the team's run in the national tournament. He and his Warrior team will be making their 17^th appearance at the NAIA National Championship, including a bid last season before the tournament was cancelled, after leading LC to its first CCC title in its first season in the conference. Orr carries a .740 winning percentage and is 478-168 in his career. He was named the Frontier Conference Coach of the Year five times.
 
Burlage, Johnson, Jansen Edmiston, Peyton Souvenir and Abby Farmer started all 17 games this season for the Warrior women. All five earned All-Cascade Conference selections to claim all five spots.
 
Edmiston, a fifth-year senior from Hermiston, Ore., is perhaps the most well-rounded of the group. She is third on the team in scoring and averages 10.6 points per game, and is a versatile player on all sides of the ball. Edmiston averages 4.3 rebounds per game, has dished out 37 assists, and has 22 steals. She has blocked nine shots so far this season. She was an all-conference selection last season and was named the conference's Player of the Week three times this season.
 
Souvenir leads the Warriors in assists (75) and steals (41). She is currently 35^th in the NAIA in assists per game (4.4). The senior from Cathlamet, Wash. is averaging 8.8 points per game, 3.8 rebounds per game and is second on the team in free throw percentage (.750). She was an All-Frontier Conference honoree as a freshman.
 
Farmer joined the LC starting five this season, and her presence in the lineup made an immediate impact. The graduating junior is second on the team in 3-point percentage (.365) and in assists with 43. She leads the team in 3-pointers made with 27. The Brookings, Ore. native is averaging 8.1 points per game heading into the Opening Rounds.
 
Due to the unprecedented season with only two teams competing during the traditional season, this year's all-conference was altered slightly with a selection committee voting for the awards.
 
LC State was chosen to host one of 16 Opening Rounds as part of the NAIA National Championship. Play will begin in Lewiston on March 12, and the teams competing will be revealed on March 4 on the NAIA Facebook page.
 
Stay up to date with all things Warrior Athletics at lcwarriors.com and on social media @LCWarriors.