SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (March 31, 2026) – Four members of the Western New England basketball programs - three from the women's team and one from the men's team - have been named to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Team, three of whom received honors for the second time in their respective careers. 

In order to be named to the College Sports Communicators organization, a student-athlete must have a cumulative grade point average of at least a 3.50 on a 4.00 scale. The student-athlete must also be a sophomore athletically and academically and have contributed in 90% of the team's games or have started in 66% of games during the 2025-2026 season.

Perry Blasetti, who has earned multiple postseason awards this season, picks up CSC Academic All-District honors for the second straight season after competing in 27 of Western New England's 28 games this season, making starts in all 27 games. Blasetti averaged just shy of 11 points per game for the Golden Bears on the court, shooting at a 46.2% clip, the highest among qualified scorers on the year. Blasetti also averaged a team-best 7.3 rebounds per game and picked up a pair of double-doubles on the season, both in conference play. Blasetti was named to the Conference of New England All-Conference Team and recently took part in the New England Women's Basketball Association's (NEWBA) Senior All-Star Game. 

Sophie Hedge takes CSC Academic All-District honors for the first time in her career, after leading the Golden Bears on the court, averaging nearly 14 points per game and 6.4 rebounds per game. The sharpshooter nailed a team-high 61 triples during the season, shooting over 40% from the field during the season. Hedge picked up four double-doubles during the regular season and scored in double figures in all but four games during the year. To go along with the CSC award, Hedge was named to the CNE All-Conference First Team and recently competed in the three-point shooting contest at the NEWBA All-Star Game.

Senior Paige Winter is listed on the CSC Academic All-District Team for the second straight season and was a big part of Western New England's run to the conference championship game this past season. Winter averaged over eight points per game and led the team with 136 assists on the year, the new single-season program record. The Essex, Vermont, native hit 49 triples on the season and dished a single-season game record of 12 assists in a win over Endicott at the midway point of the season. 

Men's basketball's Nate Kasper also takes CSC honors for the second time in his career. Kasper played in 25 games for the Golden Bears this past season, making 22 starts, anchoring the Western New England backcourt. Kasper shot 44% from the field on the team hitting seven triples and making 55 free throws, scoring 210 total points during the year, a career-high. Kasper ends his four-year run with the Blue and Gold by playing in 108 games, making 25 starts, shooting 48% from the field, scoring 560 total career points.