With a Big Ten Championship under their belt and a NCAA tournament run on the horizon, the Michigan State women’s basketball team took time to celebrate and have a little fun.

The team held its annual banquet at the Breslin Center to honor its players and to celebrate their Big Ten Championship.

Senior Annalise Pickrel and redshirt freshman Aerial Powers both earned the team’s Player of the Year and Spartan Hustle Awards. Pickrel is currently second on the team in points and rebounds and she also leads the team in blocks. Senior Klarissa Bell was awarded the Defensive Player of the Year, who also won the award last season.

Both seniors were named All-Big Ten. Pickrel was named to the second team. This was Pickrel’s first time being honored in the All-Big Ten. Bell, on the other hand, was named to the Big Ten All-Defensive Team and also received an honorable mention.

Junior Jasmine Hines was named Sixth Player of the Year. Junior Becca Mills earned the award of Most Improved Player and also received an honorable mention in the All-Big Ten selection. Plus, Junior Anna Morrissey was awarded the Kim Archer Character Award.

Powers, in addition to two awards shared with Pickrel, earned the Best Rebounder Award. Currently she leads the team in points, rebounds, offensive rebounds and steals. She is also the first freshman from MSU to be named to First-Team in the All-Big Ten.

Jankoska earned the Playmaker Award. She is currently second on the team in scoring and steals and leads the team in three-pointers. Agee received the Pat Canning Coaches Award.

Jennifer Aldridge is the host of Merchantaries for Impact Sports.

Photo: Scott Wasserman/Impact Sports