Kodiaks women’s basketball star Helton named CCAA All-Canadian

Lethbridge College Kodiaks women’s basketball guard Hannah Helton finished her collegiate career with national honours, being named an All-Canadian at the 2024 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Women’s Basketball National Championship Tuesday night. 

The All-Canadian selection is made by each conference’s basketball coaches committee. 15 Kodiaks women’s basketball players have been named All-Canadians; the most recent was Logan Moncks in 2016-17. 

Helton, who is originally from Okotoks played one year with the SAIT Trojans and three years with the St. Mary’s University Lightning before joining the Kodiaks last fall, was also named to the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) All-Conference South first team last month. She was second in the conference with 386 points scored throughout the season, averaging 18.4 points per game. She led her team in minutes played, averaging 28.4 minutes. 

And, as her coaches say, beyond the stats she was a true leader for this team and an example of what it takes to be at the top of your sport. 

“Hannah definitely earned the All-Canadian recognition this year for her contributions to the team’s success throughout the season,” says Todd Caughlin, Kodiaks Athletics director. “Hannah stepped onto a new team in her senior year and led by example, helping the Kodiaks finish first in the south regular season standings. To have the opposing coaches in the conference select her for this recognition is a huge accomplishment for Hannah and the Kodiaks!”

This wasn’t the first time Helton received ACAC honours. In her time with SAIT and St. Mary’s, the teams made it to the ACAC Championships frequently, appearing in the semifinals three times. She earned All-Conference South second team honours in the 2019-20 season, and first team honours in the 2021-22 season.

“Hannah deserves all the accolades awarded to her this year,” says women’s basketball head coach Ken McMurray. “She is first to the gym and last to leave. Yes, Hannah has been blessed with natural athletic ability, but she also has done the most with that talent. Hundreds and hundreds of shots in team and mostly individual practice have made her one of the best shooters to wear the Kodiak jersey. Hannah is also a great teammate and leader who helped lead our team to their 18-3 league record.”

Helton studied Exercise Science while at Lethbridge College.