IRVINE, Calif. – This week’s PacWest Women’s Basketball Players of the Week are Academy of Art’s Krystal Forthan, Azusa Pacific’s Kelly Hardeman, Dominican’s Sarah Nelson and Holy Names’ Tiana Burks. The awards are based on games played Nov. 17-23.
 
Co-Player of the Week – Krystal Forthan (Academy of Art)
F, Jr., Portland, Ore./Georgetown HS
 
Forthan averaged a double-double on the week with 25.0 points and 15.0 rebounds per game, along with 2.5 blocks and 1.5 steals per game. She scored a season-high 28 points on 42.9 percent shooting against Cal Poly Pomona. She then had 22 points and season-highs of 17 rebounds and four blocks against Cal State Stanislaus. The preseason player of the year ranks third in the conference in scoring (20.3 ppg) and second in rebounding (11.3 rpg).
 
Co-Player of the Week – Kelly Hardeman (Azusa Pacific)
F, Jr., Manila, Philippines/Faith Academy
 
Hardeman continued the incredible start to her season, averaging 22.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, 4.0 blocks and 1.7 steals per game for the Cougars. She recorded a double-double in all three-game and was named to the all-tournament team of the GNAC/PacWest Crossover hosted by Western Washington, averaging 19.5 points and 12.0 rebounds per game. She leads the conference in scoring (23.5 ppg), and is second in blocks (3.2 bpg) and fourth in rebounding (10.4 rpg).
 
Defender of the Week – Sarah Nelson (Dominican)
C, Sr., Clayton, Calif./Clayton Valley
 
Nelson earned her second-career defensive honor by averaging 13.5 points, 12.5 rebounds and 5.0 blocks per game for the Penguins. She nearly earned a triple-double in the win over UC Merced with 11 points, a career-high 17 rebounds and eight blocked shots.
 
Freshman of the Week – Tiana Burks (Holy Names)
G, Fr., Antioch, Calif./Deer Valley
 
Burks had the best game of her young career in Holy Names’ first win of the season over Cal State Monterey Bay. She had 13 points and had five rebounds in the three-point victory. She made three of her four three-point shots, as the Hawks made 10 in the game.