By Mike Monahan

Lake Land women’s head basketball coach David Johnson was named the NJCAA Region 24 Coach of the Year for leading his team to a 25-7 record, a MWAC title and an appearance in the region 24 championship game. 

“You only win coach of the year because you have really good players,” said Johnson. “This award goes to my players.”

In addition, Tayler Barry, Olvia Niemerg and Leix Niebrugge were all on the 12-member all-region 24 team. 

“Olivia Niemerg finished with 72 wins (which is the most in the history of the program) and I can’t say enough about Olivia,” Johnson said. “She is a consistent player, a team first always and very coachable as well as an extremely hard worker. I will miss that young lady tremendously. Leix Niebrugge is a super smart player, a great shooter and a really smart defender. She is invaluable and a very clutch player. Tayler Barry is super talented, a great scorer and made things happen for us. She made a lot of big plays for us.”

Region 24 Awards

Coach of the Year-Dave Johnson, Lake Land

MVP-Alexus Mobley, Danville

All-Region 24 team

Tayler Barry, Lake Land; Olvia Niemerg, Lake Land,; Lexi Niebrugge, Lake Land; Neveah Reaves, Danville; Cierra McNamee, Illinois Central; Peyton Dearing, Illinois Central; Alyssa Cole, Parkland; Shaelynn Bell, Parkland; Kenzie Decker, Parkland; Madison McFerrin John Wood; Marley Smith, Lincoln Land; Addions Scarlette, Lincoln Land