Six Teams Represented in First Football Players of the Week

AMERICAN SOUTHWEST CONFERENCE FOOTBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Games: February 6, 2021 

EAST DIVISION OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK – Tommy Bowden, QB, So., Mary Hardin-Baylor

Mary Hardin-Baylor sophomore quarterback Tommy Bowden (Brownwood, Texas) ran for two touchdowns and threw two more in the Cru’s 41-0 victory at Belhaven. Bowden recorded ten carries for 86 yards and 11-of-23 passing for 104 yards, combining 266 yards of total offense.

EAST DIVISION DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK – Justice Henson, LB, Sr., East Texas Baptist

East Texas Baptist senior linebacker Justice Henson (Shreveport, La.) recorded a game-securing touchdown with 9:08 left on a 37-yard interception return, sealing the Tigers’ 28-17 victory at Southwestern. He also posted nine tackles, four solos and helped with a goal-line stand with three minutes left in the game.

EAST DIVISION SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK – Wil Herbst, K/P, Jr., Southwestern

Southwestern junior kicker/punter Wil Herbst (Boerne, Texas) punted three times for a 50.3-yard average, including a long of 65 and two inside the 20 in a 28-17 loss to East Texas Baptist. He was also 2-for-2 on extra-point attempts and made a 25-yard field goal early in the first quarter.

WEST DIVISION OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK – Mason Perkins, WR, Sr., Texas Lutheran

Texas Lutheran senior wide receiver Mason Perkins (Burleson, Texas) set new career-highs with ten catches for 205 yards to go with a pair of touchdowns in the Bulldogs’ 39-38 win at Howard Payne. His TD receptions were for 32 and 49 yards, which tied the game on each score. Perkins’ 49-yarder tied the game at 31-31 with 12:47 to play.

WEST DIVISION DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK – Colton Strickland, DL, Fr., McMurry

McMurry freshman defensive lineman Colton Strickland (Hawley, Texas) led the War Hawks with eight tackles, five solos, and had 3.5 tackles for a loss of 19 yards, including 1.5 sacks, in their 17-14 win at Sul Ross State. His solo sack was on a 4th & 4 play, which led to a turnover on downs.

WEST DIVISION SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK – Blake Phipps, K, Sr., Howard Payne

Howard Payne senior kicker Blake Phipps (Dripping Springs, Texas) connected on seven kickoffs for a 58.6-yard average and four touchbacks in the Yellow Jacket’s one-point loss to Texas Lutheran. He also blasted a 42-yard field goal in the second quarter and 5-for-5 on extra-point chances.

OTHER TOP PERFORMANCES

Offensive

McMurry freshman wide receiver Kristopher Martin (El Paso, Texas) had five catches for 100 yards and caught a 2-point conversion in his collegiate debut. He landed his conversion catch with one foot in the corner after a jump ball to seal the McMurry 17-14 win at Sul Ross State.

Sul Ross State sophomore running back Ozias Wright (Killeen, Texas) rushed for 104 yards on 22 carries for an average of 4.7 in the Lobos’ 17-14 loss to McMurry.

Howard Payne senior wide receiver Jake Parker (Whitehouse, Texas) led the Yellow Jackets with 11 catches for 195 yards and one touchdown in a 39-39 loss to Texas Lutheran.

East Texas Baptist junior quarterback Aaron Brown (Gilmer, Texas) went 17-of-26 for 160 yards and two touchdowns in his first start as a Tiger, a 28-17 win at Southwestern. He also rushed for 46 yards on 11 carries.

Defensive

Texas Lutheran senior safety James Bell (Houston, Texas) posted nine tackles, seven solos, two for a loss, and recovered a fumble in the Bulldogs’ 39-38 win at Howard Payne.

Sul Ross State freshman linebacker Quincy Blair (Missouri City, Texas) led the Lobos with seven tackles, .5 for a loss, and forced a fumble in losing to McMurry 17-14.

Howard Payne junior defensive back Kyle Bell (Cypress, Texas) made 19 tackles, ten solos, with .5 for a loss in a 39-38 defeat to Texas Lutheran.

Mary Hardin-Baylor senior linebacker Mikkah Hackett (Alto, Texas) led the Cru with six tackles, including one for a loss in a 41-0 win at Belhaven. He helped hold the Blazers scoreless and allowing just 88 yards of total offense.

Southwestern senior linebacker Ben Brockman (Midland, Texas) led the Pirates with ten tackles, seven solos, with a forced fumble and recovery in a 28-17 loss to East Texas Baptist.

Special Teams

Texas Lutheran junior punter Justice Porter (Cypress, Texas) punted twice for 89 yards, a 44.5 average, with a long 70 and a touchback in the Bulldogs’ 39-38 victory at Howard Payne.

McMurry sophomore kicker/punter Jared Mendoza (Fort Worth, Texas) made a 20-yard field goal with 17 seconds left in the first half to put the War Hawks up 9-7 at Sul Ross State. He also had five punts, long of 44, and one inside the 20 and was 1-of-2 on extra-point attempts in the 17-14 victory.

 

Underwood, Johnson Earn Men’s Basketball Players of the Week

AMERICAN SOUTHWEST CONFERENCE MEN’S BASKETBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Games: February 4-6, 2021

EAST DIVISION PLAYER OF THE WEEK – Dimitrius Underwood, Sr., G, UT Dallas

UT Dallas senior guard Dimitrius Underwood (Mesquite, Texas) had a stellar week, averaging 27.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game in a pair of ASC East road games last week. In a 102-89 win over LeTourneau Thursday, Underwood scored 30 points while adding nine rebounds and nine assists, finishing the victory one rebound and one assist from his third triple-double of the season. He was 13-of-28 from the field and added four steals. In Saturday’s close loss at East Texas Baptist, Underwood finished with 24 points, eight rebounds, and six assists. It is his third Player of the Week award of the year and 11th in his career.

WEST DIVISION PLAYER OF THE WEEK – Josiah Johnson, So., G, Mary Hardin-Baylor

Mary Hardin-Baylor sophomore guard Josiah Johnson (Big Sandy, Texas) averaged 24.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per game as he helped the Cru stretch their winning streak to eight straight games. He did not miss a free throw, shot 57 percent from the field, and hit 47 percent from the three-point range. Johnson also had four assists, a blocked shot, and a steal during the week to earn his sixth Player of the week’s honors.

OTHER TOP PERFORMANCES

EAST DIVISION 

Louisiana College senior guard Kae’ron Baker (Navasota, Texas) averaged 18.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 2.5-steal as the Wildcats went 1-1 on the week. He was also 14-of-16 at the line.

Ozarks senior guard Bryson Johnson (Katy, Texas) averaged 22.0 points and 7.0 rebounds per game for Ozarks. He hit six three-pointers over two games. Johnson exploded for 20 first-half points against LeTourneau and finished the game with 26.

East Texas Baptist junior guard Aaron Gregg (Austin, Texas) had an intense week, averaging 17.5 points, 5.0 assists, 3.0 steals, and 4.0 rebounds per game, leading the Tigers to a 1-1 record. ETBU came from 18-points down to defeat UTD 75-70, with Gregg scoring 15 points on a perfect 7-of-7 from the free-throw line, to go with six assists with four steals. Hit a three-point play with 5:53 left in the game to cut UTD’s lead to two, 60-58, and two more free throws with 23 seconds left to put ETBU up by six, 71-65. Gregg also posted 20 points against Ozarks on Thursday night.

WEST DIVISION

Concordia Texas sophomore guard Luis Gonzalez (Carolina, P.R.) averaged 20 points a game and helped the Tornados perfect 2-0 week on the road. On Thursday against Howard Payne, Gonzalez shot 9-of-15 from the floor along with eight rebounds as the Tornados defeated the Yellow Jackets 92-84 to snap their four-game losing streak. On Saturday, Gonzalez and CTX pulled off a come-from-behind win over Sul Ross State, closing the game out on a 14-1 run to steal a 67-53 win. Gonzalez led with a team-high 15 points, including going 11-of-14 from the free-throw line.

McMurry freshman forward Michael Imariagbe (Houston, Texas) scored a season-high 24 points in an 86-83 victory at Belhaven. He shot 11-of-15 from the field in the game. For the week, Imariagbe averaged 17.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 3.0 steals per game.

Howard Payne senior guard Jaylan Ballou (Port Arthur, Texas) averaged 9.0 assists per game, including a career-high 15 assists in a loss to Concordia Texas. Ballou also had 7.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 3.0 steals per contest.

Hardin-Simmons junior guard Kyle Brennon (Houston, Texas) averaged 19.5 points as the Cowboys went on the road for a pair of American Southwest Conference wins. He dropped 24 points in the win at Belhaven and had 15 in the win over Louisiana College.

Morgan, Sloan Named ASC Baseball Players of the Week

AMERICAN SOUTHWEST CONFERENCE BASEBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Games: February 6-7, 2021

HITTER OF THE WEEK – Ty Morgan, C, Sr., Louisiana College

Louisiana College junior catcher Ty Morgan (Villa Platte, La.) hit .583 (7-for-12) with two doubles, two home runs, and 10 RBI as the Wildcats went 3-1 over Alma at home to start the season. Morgan recorded 15 total bases, three runs scored, and a 1.250 slugging percentage.

PITCHER OF THE WEEK – Kris Sloan, RHP, Sr., Ozarks

Ozark’s senior right-hander Kris Sloan (Dayton, Texas) tossed the final inning of the Eagles’ 5-4 win over Austin to pick up the win. He pitched a 1-2-3 inning, including a pair of strikeouts.

OTHER TOP PERFORMANCES AT THE PLATE

Ozark’s sophomore third baseman Luke Morrison (Tucson, Ariz.), went 2-for-3 with a double, RBI, run scored, and a stolen base in the Eagles’ 5-4 victory against Austin.

OTHER TOP PERFORMANCES ON THE MOUND

Louisiana College sophomore right-hander Colten Newsom (Livingston, La.) entered the season-opener against Alma with a runner on second after the Scots went up 6-2 with one out in the third. He shut down their offense for the remainder of the game, throwing 4.2 scoreless frames with four strikeouts and allowing two walks and two hits as the Wildcats came back to win 12-6.

Nightigale, Dasher Repeat as Runners of the Week

AMERICAN SOUTHWEST CONFERENCE CROSS COUNTRY RUNNERS OF THE WEEK

Meets: February 6, 2021

MEN’S RUNNER OF THE WEEK – Lorien Nightingale, Sr., LeTourneau

LeTourneau senior Lorien Nightingale (Njoro, Kenya) won the 8K Bill Libby Invitational in a personal-best 26:18.9, his second straight win. He helped the YellowJackets take third place as a team. It is Nightigale’s third Runner of the Week award of his career and second this season. 

WOMEN’S RUNNER OF THE WEEK – Holly Dasher, So., Mary Hardin-Baylor

Mary Hardin-Baylor sophomore Holly Dasher (Katy, Texas) won her second consecutive individual title, taking the Bill Libby Invitational in Abilene, Texas, by nearly 40 seconds. She posted a 6K time of 23:10.7, helping the Cru to a second straight team win. It is Dasher’s second Runner of the Week of the season.

OTHER TOP PERFORMANCES – MEN

UT Dallas freshman Graeme Maclean (Fairview, Texas) recorded a season-best 8K mark in 26:45.4, earning second place at the Bill Libby Invitational.

East Texas Baptist senior Mack Broussard (Hankamer, Texas) placed third at the 8K Bill Libby Invitational in 26:45.5.

McMurry freshman Ethan Turner (Fort Worth, Texas) led the War Hawks with a top-five finish for the second straight race with an 8K time of 27:08.2. He helped McMurry win the Bill Libby Invitational for the first time since 2014.

Hardin-Simmons senior River Smith (Waco, Texas) took seventh place and helped the Cowboys finish second as a team at the Bill Libby Invitational in Abilene. He posted an 8K time of 27:24.2.

OTHER TOP PERFORMANCES – WOMEN

McMurry freshman Janeth Chacon (El Paso, Texas) placed second in 23:51.3 at the 6K Bill Libby Invitational, ranking just ahead of her sister Jazmin Chacon in 23:56.6.

Sul Ross State sophomore Ivett Ramos (Presidio, Texas) placed fourth at the Bill Libby Invitational with a 6K mark of 24:48.3.

Hardin-Simmons sophomore Madison Hemenway (Anna, Texas) ran the 6K Bill Libby Invitational in 24:49.7, placing fifth.

UT Dallas sophomore Hannah Bennett (Washington, Ill.) finished seventh at the Bill Libby Invitational in 25:13.2 on the 6-kilometer course.

Stephens, Hampton Claim Women’s Hoops Awards

AMERICAN SOUTHWEST CONFERENCE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Games: February 4-6, 2021

EAST DIVISION PLAYER OF THE WEEK – Mallory Stephens, G, Sr., East Texas Baptist

East Texas Baptist senior guard Mallory Stephens (Keene, Texas) averaged 11.5 points, 2.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.5 steals per game as the No. 3 Tigers went 2-0 on the week. She scored 18 points, making key shots throughout the game, in a 59-48 win over No. 10 UT Dallas. It is Stephens’ second career Player of the Week award.

WEST DIVISION PLAYER OF THE WEEK – Vania Hampton, F, So., Sul Ross State

Sul Ross State sophomore forward Vania Hampton (Austin, Texas) led the Lobos to a pair of conference wins and move to 5-2 in ASC play. She started with an 18-point, 14-rebound performance in a 55-46 victory against Mary Hardin-Baylor for their first win over the Cru since 2004. Hampton followed with 21 points and 14 boards in a 70-60 double-overtime win against Concordia Texas. For the week, she averaged 19.5 points and 13.0 rebounds per game to earn her third Player of the Week award of the season. 

OTHER TOP PERFORMANCES

EAST DIVISION

UT Dallas senior guard Kelley Skinner (Katy, Texas) averaged 12.5 points and 6.0 rebounds while shooting 47.1 percent from the field as the No. 10-ranked Comets split a pair of ASC East road games last week. Skinner poured in 20 points and added seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals Thursday in a 62-51 win at LeTourneau.

Ozark’s junior guard Janna Rhinehart (Danville, Ark.), hit four three-pointers over two games coming off the bench. Rhinehart averaged 9.0 points per game and shot 44.4 (4-of-9) percent from the three-point line. 

WEST DIVISION

McMurry junior guard Aubrey Guerra (Pleasanton, Texas) matched her season-high of 14 points at Louisiana College, shooting 4-of-9 from behind the arc. For the week, she averaged 12.5 points and 8.0 rebounds per game.

Howard Payne junior guard Salina Ali (San Antonio, Texas) posted a new career-high with 24 points on 7-of-7 shooting in an 84-71 win over Concordia Texas. She also contributed five steals, four assists, and three rebounds while going 4-for-4 from the three-point line and 6-for-6 at the game’s free-throw line. She averaged 14.5 points, 4.0 steals, 3.0 assists, and 3.5 rebounds per game while shooting 72.7 percent (8-of-11) from the field for the week.

Hardin-Simmons sophomore guard Hallie Edmondson (Roby, Texas) helped the Cowgirls to a pair of road ASC wins to keep their lead in the ASC West. She scored seven straight against Louisiana College as part of an 11-0 run to close the first half that pushed the game from a tie at 15 to a 26-15 halftime lead. For the week, Edmondson averaged 15.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game.