EUGENE, Ore. — Lane Community College is proud to announce that Bella Hamel, a standout player on the women's basketball team, has been named the Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC) Baden Basketball Player of the Year for Women's Basketball. This prestigious award marks the first time a Lane Titan, male or female, has received this recognition. The NWAC made the announcement Thursday, with Walla Walla's Kyson Rose and Lane's Bella Hamel earning the respective awards.
Hamel's extraordinary performance this season led the Titans to an impressive 32-1 overall record and ultimately to the NWAC championship title. The team dominated the challenging South Region with a 15-1 record, concluding the year on an eight-game winning streak.
Throughout the season, Hamel consistently ranked in the top-10 of various NWAC statistical categories. She placed fourth in points per game (18.3), sixth in rebounds per game (12.3), sixth in total assists (108), and first in three-point shooting percentage (42.4). Hamel also led the NWAC in total points (548) and defensive rebounds (283) and was third in steals (98), demonstrating her remarkable versatility and contribution to the Titans' success.
After an exceptional championship run, Hamel was named the NWAC Tournament MVP, leading the Titans to their sixth conference title. During the tournament, she averaged 16.8 points per game and 10.3 rebounds per game.
Following her outstanding achievements at Lane Community College, Hamel is set to continue her collegiate basketball career next season at the University of Oregon. The entire LCC community congratulates Bella on this well-deserved honor and looks forward to her future successes on and off the court.
Lane Community College educates over 15,000 students annually at six locations across Lane County and online. Students and alumni from all 50 states and 79 countries create more than an $850 million dollar impact on the local economy, helping to support more than 13,000 local jobs. Lane provides affordable, quality, professional technical and college transfer programs; business development and employee training; academic, language and life skills development; and lifelong personal development and enrichment courses.