At the end of every Big V match the coaches of both teams are required to allocate 10 votes to the best players on court with a maximum of 5 going to any 1 player. At the end of the season the votes are tallied and a final list of the Top 10 vote getters in each category is then distributed for each teams coach and captain to vote 3-2-1. Coaches and captains are not allowed to vote for players from their own team. These votes are then compiled and the award winner is announced at the annual Big V awards dinner.

The list of nominations was announced this week and LTU has several players nominated in various categories.

 

LTU's men's team has had a stellar season, going 18-2 in the regular season and now making the Grand Final series against Coburg. Coach Andrew Whelan is always quick to point out that his team is deep and the talent is spread well enough that they don't have to rely on any one player. This assertion is backed up with 4 players being nominated for All Star 5 positions and no less than 3 of these players also being nominated for MVP.

Leading the charge again is reigning MVP, Tim Sturrock. Sturrock has had another stock standard Sturrock-type season. Although he missed the first portion of the season due to overseas committments, Sturrock was able to step back into his favoured "power" forward position and quickly reestablish himself as one of the leagues premier forwards. Although Tim's season hasn't been as strong as last season's statisticswise, he has routinely gone about business averaging  8.5 rpg and 21.5 ppg on 48% shooting. His ability to breakdown his opposition and dominate games has seen him nominated for MVP and in the All Star 5 Forward position.

The fire to Sturrocks ice would have to be the Godfather, Peter Leimonitis. Leimonitis has been almost unstoppable this season and has shown the league what LTU have known since he joined the club, that he is one of the best shooters in the state. The consumate team player, Leimonitis, playing the 2 spot, has been able to average 19.4 ppg despite not taking as many shots as 1 would expect from a player of his calibre at his position. This has been made possible thanks to a great shooting season where Leimonitis has been able to shoot at 46.5% from the field and an amazing 44.9% from 3 point land. In addition to that, Leimonitis has led the team in assists (2.1apg) and steals (1.9spg). Leimonitis has been nominated for MVP and All Star 5 Guard.

The big improver on the LTU scene in 2007 has been Neville Chivhanganye. The student from Zimbabwe has come along in leaps and bounds over the last 3 seasons and it is a reward to his hard work and that of coach Andrew Whelan that he been nominated for the league MVP and the All Star 5 in the Centre position. Chivhanagnye has become one of the most intimidtaing centres in the league with his enormous wingspan and ability to finish above the rim. His long arms and mere prescence change more shots than any other player in the league. This is a little unfortunate statistically as he doesn't get as many blocks as he would like due mainly to the fact that opponents throw off balance shots to avoid is outstretched arms. Neville's season averages of 12.4 ppg and 11.2 rpg are an excellent return for a player averaging only 28 minutes a game thanks to the great depth of bigs in the LTU lineup. Like Leimonitis and Sturrock, Chivhanganye has been able to maintain a creditable shooting average thanks to an amazing 60% field goal percentage.

People talk about LTU's wealth of bigs and so it is no real surprise that Andrew Oliver has also been nominated for the All Star 5 Forward position. Oliver is a past league MVP and All Star 5 awardee with Monash Uni before crossing over to LTU this season. In an act of unselfishness, Oliver has been able to check his ego at the door and accept a role coming off the LTU bench. His 11.8 ppg (44%) and 7.8 rpg have been invaluable to the LTU team and he has been able to step up for LTU on several occasions thus justifying his nomination as one of the leagues best players in his position.

The LTU women's season was not exactly one to write home about. Decimated by injuries and player unavailability the Eagles struggled for wins. However where one player is unavailable, opportunities arise and are there for those who want to take them. One player who did grasp the opportunity presented to her this season was rookie, Sherry Glennie. At the start of the season, Glennie was seen as a complimentary big player that would be developed off the bench behing Stphanie Cortese and Erin McCutcheon. However with Cortese being unavailable for the season Glennie was thrust in to a starting role and excelled. Despite suffereing from the rookie jitters at times, Glennie was able to average an excellent 12.0 ppg and 10.5 rpg and has been nominated for the All Star 5 Centre position and for the Division 1 Rising Star award. Not a bad first up effort for a rookie.

Glennie's partner in the paint this season was none other than Erin McCutcheon. Just as she did last year, McCutcheon worked tirelessly in the games playing much of the season with a series of injuries when she really should have been on the sidelines. Despite this, McCutcheon was able to still put up 14.9ppg and bring in 11.4rpg which was an excellent return and justifies her nomination for the All Star 5 Forward position.

Details for the Big V Awards dinner are as follows:

Date: Saturday, September 8
Time: 7:15 pm, for Dinner at 7:30pm
Location: Celebrity Room,
Monee Valley Racing Club,
McPherson Street, Monee Ponds
(Parking available onsite)
Cost: $75 per person
Includes dinner, beer, wine and soft drink.
Dress: Semi Formal

People wishing to attend the awards night should contact basketball@latrobe.edu.au