PHILADELPHIA, PA.- Saint Joseph's junior forward Laura Ziegler was announced on Wednesday as the Philadelphia Big 5 Player of the Year, while Villanova's Jasmine Bascoe was named Rookie of the Year, and Wildcat head coach Denise Dillon was chosen as the Philadelphia Big 5 Coach of the Year.

Senior forward Talya Brugler of Saint Joseph's was chosen as the Big 5 Scholar-Athlete of the Year, while Hawk guard Gabby Casey earned the Most Improved Player Award.

Ziegler, Brugler and Bascoe are joined on the All-Big 5 first team by Temple guard Tiarra East, Penn forward Stina Almqvist and Drexel guard Amaris Baker.

The All-Big 5 second team features Maddie Webber (Villanova), Tarriyonna Gary (Temple), Mackenzie Smith (Saint Joseph's), Katie Collins (Penn) and Ashleigh Connor (La Salle).

There was also one Honorable Mention selection, with Penn's Mataya Gayle earning that distinction.

Almqvist was recognized as the Big 5 leading scorer averaging 17.7 points per game average, while Bascoe was the top free throw shooter at .876 (92-105).
 
Philadelphia Big 5 Women's Basketball Award Winners
 
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Laura Ziegler, Saint Joseph's (Junior, Forward)
 
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Jasmine Bascoe, Villanova (Freshman, Guard)
 
COACH OF THE YEAR
Denise Dillon, Villanova
 
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER
Gabby Casey, Saint Joseph's (Sophomore, Guard)
 
SCHOLAR-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Talya Brugler, Saint Joseph's (Senior, Forward)
 
LEADING SCORER
Stina Almqvist, Penn (Senior, Forward) 17.7 ppg.
 
LEADING FREE THROW SHOOTER
Jasmine Bascoe, Villanova (Freshman, guard) 87.6 percent (92-105)
 
ALL-BIG 5 FIRST TEAM
Talya Brugler, Saint Joseph's
Laura Ziegler, Saint Joseph's
Stina Almqvist, Penn
Tiarra East, Temple
Amaris Baker, Drexel
Jasmine Bascoe, Villanova
 
ALL-BIG 5 SECOND TEAM
Mackenzie Smith, Saint Joseph's
Maddie Webber, Villanova
Tarriyonna Gary, Temple
Kate Collins, Penn
Ashleigh Connor, La Salle
 
HONORABLE MENTION 
Mataya Gayle, Penn