Junior guard Kennedy Igo was announced as the 10th Region Player of the Year last week.

Igo said it is a great honor to receive this award.

“I was very humbled by it,” she said. “There are a lot of great players in the region and for me to named the player of the year was truly an honor.”

Igo has suffered injuries that has caused her to sit out most of the season.

She said it has been tough having to sit and watch from the bench.

“It was definitely hard being out most of the season,” she said. “I had to work hard, but I had to work even harder to get back and help my team win games. I had to push myself twice as hard so I could come back and be healthy to benefit my team.”

Igo said the hardest part about being out was not being able to contribute besides her encouragement.

“I watched my team lose a few games,” she said. “I could have been out there fighting with them to win the games we lost. From the sideline, I tried to be a positive influence for the younger girls. I used my ability as a leader to help keep them focused.”

Igo said her leadership is a main reason she thinks she got voted for 10th Region Player of the Year.

“My leadership and my drive to win is what I hope they saw in me,” she said. “I respect all the coaches in the region and appreciate them seeing me as a great player.”

Igo said her teammates would describe her as a person of good character.

“I hope they would describe me as a good leader and even a better friend,” she said. “When one of my teammates are having a tough time off the court, I let basketball go and try to help them through the hard time they are having. I love my team. They are my family and I would do anything for each and every one of them.”