After helping to lead Sacramento State women’s basketball team to its first Big Sky Conference Tournament win in school history, freshman point guard Fantasia Hilliard was named The State Hornet Best Freshman Athlete freshman athlete of the spring 2012 semester. 

“I’m really excited because it’s my first year,” Hilliard said. “It’s a transition from high school and everything, but I’m just really excited to receive so many awards this year. 

The true freshman came to Sacrameto State from Sacramento High School and immediately left her mark on the team.

 Hilliard averaged 8.7 points per game, was second in the Big Sky with 4.9 assists per game and was the seventh Hornet player ever to have 100 assists in a single season.

 Hilliard’s season was acknowledged by the conference as she was named the Big Sky’s Outstanding Freshman of the Year for the first time in Sac State History.

 Hilliard said she was excited when she found out and happy to see her hard work paid off.

 “I have a lot of confidence now,” Hilliard said. “Being the freshman of the year, I got to put more on my plate for next year, win more games and lead the team now.”

 After going 4-25 (1-15 Big Sky) last season, Hilliard’s impact on the court helped turn the program around as the team went 12-17 (7-9).

 Assistant coach Shaquala Williams is familiar with the pressure freshmen players have in their first year after playing for the University of Oregon.

 Williams said she was happy with how Hilliard performed in her first year.

 “I thought she did a really good job,” Williams said. “It’s very overwhelming to come in and have to learn so much information and be expected to execute it. On our coaching staff, we don’t treat her like a freshman. We had high expectations for her and I know that had to be challenging at times.”

 With three years left, Hilliard will look to build off of her successful first season and take the team even higher.

 Head coach Jamie Craighead said having a point guard like Hilliard is going to do wonders for the team.

 “She’s fast, she’s athletic and she can really turn the corner,” Craighead said. “She’s that lefty, so she’s kind of awkward for people. She’s not afraid to shoot it. She’s fearless she can get up and defend people, so she’s just the right fit and I feel blessed to have a point guard for the next four years that fits what we do and we are just really excited about her.”

Additional Comments about Fantasia Hilliard

Head coach Jamie Craighead

“I look around the conference and look at the other point guards and I think hands down she can be the best point guard in our conference. It’s going to take a lot of work, it’s never easy, but she embodies everything we need in that position.”

Brother Bryan Hilliard

“Seeing my sister succeed is no surprise to me. She is goal-oriented, competitive and determined in school and on the court. Our parents always told us to put God first and reach for the stars.”

Josh Stanley can be reached at [email protected].