Hiatt Named Coach of the Year, Orediggers Lead in Conference Honors

The following is a release from the Montana Tech Athletic Department:

HELENA, Mont. – After winning their third straight regular season title and tournament championship, Montana Tech Head Coach Adam Hiatt received his second Frontier Conference Coach of the Year nod to go with three first team all-conference, an honorable mention, and two players of the year honors.

Hayden Diekhans was named the Defensive Player of the Year as well selected to the Frontier All-Defensive Team. Diekhans also earned a spot on the honorable mention all-conference roster.

The Frontier names a first, second, and honorable mention teams. The awards are voted on by the leagues head coaches.

Camdyn LaRance was picked for the Sixth-Man of the Year. Quincy Taylor of Montana Western was also named Sixth Man of the Year.

The first team selections for the Orediggers are Caleb Bellach, Michael Ure, and Asa Williams.

The Orediggers are the second team in school history to win three straight tournament titles. This season is a the first for a Tech basketball team winning three regular season and tournament titles in a row. Coach Hiatt led his squad to an impressive 15-1 conference record and the Orediggers are currently 26-4 as the prepare for the NAIA National Championship. The Orediggers are currently ranked No. 8 in the NAIA Coaches’ Top 25, the highest ranking ever by a Tech basketball team. The Orediggers led the league in scoring, assists, offensive efficiency, defensive points allowed, defensive efficiency, and fewest turnovers.

Diekhans is making his second appearance on the Frontier All-Defensive Team. The Geraldine, Montana native had 26 blocks this season and 14 during conference play. Diekhans had 38 steals this season. He was fifth in the league in defensive rebounds and averaged 6.5 total rebounds per game. Diekhans averaged 9.5 points a game during league play while leading the conference with a 62.6% field goal percentage.

LaRance, a junior guard from Missoula Hellgate, made the most of his minutes each night. Averaging just 19 minutes a game, LaRance averaged 7.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.2 assists. LaRance shot 55.1% from the field and 43.6% from beyond the arc.

Bellach makes his third appearance on the first team all-conference list. The senior from Manhattan, Montana averaged 13.3 points per game while shooting 47.1% from the field and 39.1% from three-point range. Bellach averaged 3.6 rebounds, and 3.3 assists.

Ure, who was an honorable mention last season, is receiving his first first team all-conference honor. The Idaho Falls native average 12.4 points and 4.9 rebounds. Ure shot 46.2% from the field and 39.6% from beyond the arc. The junior also hit 70.2% of his free throws. Against MSU Northern in January, Ure hit 8 of 9 from three-point range.

Williams is earning his second first team nod in just two seasons with the Orediggers. Williams averaged 16.4 points per game and was instrumental in a number of Tech victories. Williams had 31 points in the tournament championship game hitting 8 for 12 from three-point range. The senior forward from Solon, Ohio shot 47.7% from the field and 38.9% from three-point range. Williams averaged 3.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists a game.

Sam Gray was named the Champions of Character award recipient.

Montana Tech hosts the NAIA Men’s Basketball National Championship First & Second Round presented by Ballogy on April 15-16. The teams will be released this Thursday.