Heidi Carlsen and Kim Smith pose with one of the flower arrangements Smith and her fellow seniors received.

Utah Women's Basketball Holds Season-Ending Banquet

Ute women honored after Elite Eight run.

April 15, 2006

SALT LAKE CITY -- The 2005-06 University of Utah women's basketball team gathered as a group one more time Thursday night at the University Park Marriott. The squad came together with family, friends and fans for its annual postseason banquet.

The banquet was a celebration of the 2005-06 season, which included a Mountain West Conference Tournament Championship and a run to the Elite Eight in the NCAA Women's Basketball Championship tournament.

The team handed out its individual awards. The following is a list of those awards:

MVP - Julie Larsen, Kim Smith, Shona Thorburn
Fern Gardner Most Inspirational - Deanne Hanchett
Leadership Award - Shona Thorburn
Defensive Specialist - Heidi Carlsen
Charlene Doi Academic Achievement - Camie Oakey
Charge-o-meter - Kim Smith

Utah players were also recognized for accomplishments during the season. Smith was honored for winning her fourth consecutive Mountain West Conference Player of the Year award. Thorburn was recognized for her MWC Tournament MVP honor. Smith also received recognition for her All-America honors this past season.

Statistically, Larsen was honored for leading the nation in three-point accuracy. Thorburn was No. 2 in the nation in assists per game. Smith was the top scorer in the MWC and ranked No. 18 in the nation.

The evening concluded with short speeches from each of the seniors - Larsen, Smith and Thorburn - and a highlight video recapping the 2005-06 season.

-UU-