Jo Paine wins NW Athletic Confrence women’s basketball player of the year

By Edgard Valencia

Hard work and leadership paid off for sophomore guard Johanna “Jo” Paine, as she was named NWAC basketball player of the year last month, ending her magical season with a cherry on top. Paine had a monster season for the Cougars, finishing in the NWAC top three in points, rebounds and assists. In 30 games she averaged 23.13 points per game, 12.27 rebounds per game and 5.2 assists per game. She was named Southern Region MVP also as she led the Cougars to a 20-10 season which came to an end with a tough lost to Bellevue 76-81 in the regional playoffs. She says farewell to Clackamas and leaves her mark in the college’s record books. Her 694 total points and 368 total rebounds for the season leave her as second of all time in each category for any lady Cougar player.

Photo by Austin Boltz

The Clackamas Print: Were you in any
way expecting this award?
Jo Paine: I honestly didn’t even know
there was such thing. So, yeah, it was a
surprise.
TCP: How did you find out about it?
JP: I found out through Twitter. Someone
tagged me in a photo saying I was player
of the year.
TCP: How would you describe the season?
JP: I am pretty happy about it. Of course I
would have liked to have done better; who
wouldn’t want to add up their stats some?
Individually, I became a better player
this year. I was able to work on my game
and really focus on things that needed
improvement. Being in the top three in
three different categories is pretty rad.
TCP: What is next for you?
JP: I am transferring back to a four-year
university. Not sure which one yet, but
that is my plan.
TCP: After having played for a DI school,
how would you describe your one season
as a Cougar?
JP: I have loved it. I wish we would have
gone further in the tournament, but the
experience and the friendships I have
made have been more than I could ever
imagine. It’s more than just basketball
here. Not only do you gain better
knowledge about the game, but you also
gain a family here. Winning is great, don’t
get me wrong. But it’s so much more than
that. My experience here at CCC has been
life changing.
TCP: Is there anybody you would like to
thank for this award?
JP: I wouldn’t be the player or the person
I am today if it wasn’t for my head coach
Jim Martineau. He believed in me when
not a lot of people did. He gave me a
second chance to get my life back on track.
Playing for him has been an experience
like no other. Not only is he my coach,
but he also is family to me.