Johnson, Paredes Take Men’s Hoops Weekly Awards

AMERICAN SOUTHWEST CONFERENCE MEN’S BASKETBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Games: January 31-February 6, 2022

(co) Josiah Johnson, G, Jr., Mary Hardin-Baylor

Mary Hardin-Baylor junior guard Josiah Johnson (Big Sandy, Texas) led the No. 18 Cru with 26 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and four steals in an 85-72 win at UT Dallas. He was 10-of-10 at the line and scored nine points of a 13-2 run to give UMHB the final lead. It is Johnson’s third Player of the Week of the season and 10th of his career. 

(co) Julian Paredes, F, Jr., Sul Ross State

Sul Ross State junior forward Julian Paredes (El Paso, Texas) averaged 22.0 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 1.0 steals per game as the Lobos went 2-0 at home. He began the week with 18 points, ten boards, two assists, and a pair of steals in a 91-59 win over Belhaven. Paredes scored 26 points with 12 rebounds in a 72-61 victory against East Texas Baptist. He shot 53.3 percent (8-of-15) from the three-point range, and it was the Paredes’ second career Player of the Week honors.

OTHER TOP PERFORMANCES

UT-Dallas freshman guard Caden McKenzie (Texas City, Texas) led the Comets with 16 points, three rebounds, and three steals in the squad’s 85-72 home loss to No. 18 Mary Hardin-Baylor Sunday night. McKenzie was 5-for-9 from the field, connecting on 3-of-4 three-pointers, and was a perfect 3-for-3 from the foul line. He added two assists in the defeat. 

LeTourneau junior guard Jordan Pride (Houston, Texas) recorded his first double-double with 17 points and ten rebounds in 29 minutes off the bench in an 85-71 win over Concordia Texas. He added four assists, three blocks, and a steal while shooting 5-of-7 from the field and going 2-for-2 from outside. 

Ozarks senior guard Grayson Nix (Red Oak, Okla.) scored 13 points and hit a pair of three-pointers, losing to Hardin-Simmons. He also grabbed four rebounds and had two steals.

Hardin-Simmons senior guard Case Cobb (Houston, Texas) averaged 15.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.0 steals per game as the Cowboys went 2-0 on the week. He had a career-high 28 points and hit seven three-pointers in an 85-79 win over McMurry. Cobb had four assists and a pair of steals in an 84-61 victory at Ozarks.

McCord, Lewis Earn First Softball Player of the Week Honors of 2022

AMERICAN SOUTHWEST CONFERENCE SOFTBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Games: February 6, 2022

HITTER OF THE WEEK – Mason McCord, 2B, Sr., Hardin-Simmons

Hardin-Simmons senior second baseman Mason McCord (Greenville, Texas) reached base six times and scored three of the Cowgirls’ runs in a two-game sweep at Schreiner. She was 3-for-5 on the day, with three walks and a steal. McCord scored the game-winning run in the top of the seventh of a 2-1 win and crossed the plate for an insurance run in the seventh of HSU’s 3-1 victory. It is the second Player of the Week award of her career.

PITCHER OF THE WEEK – Jenna Lewis, RHP, Jr., McMurry

McMurry junior right-hander Jenna Lewis (Hearne, Texas) started the 2022 season with a complete game, three-hit shutout in a 2-0 win at Trinity (Texas). She faced just five batters over the minimum, striking out ten batters with one walk.

OTHER TOP PERFORMANCES AT THE PLATE

McMurry sophomore shortstop Grace Duecker (Fredericksburg, Texas) hit .400 (2-for-5) with three RBI and a double in the War Hawks’ doubleheader sweep at Trinity (Texas).

Mary Hardin-Baylor sophomore right fielder Izzy Gutierrez (Belton, Texas) was 4-for-4 with an RBI double in the Cru’s doubleheader split with Southwestern (Texas). She recorded a game-winning RBI-double in the bottom of the sixth in a 2-1 win over the Pirates.

OTHER TOP PERFORMANCES IN THE CIRCLE

Mary Hardin-Baylor junior right-hander Bayleigh Grogan (Wimberly, Texas) threw five scoreless innings in a no-decision of a 2-1 win over Southwestern (Texas). She struck out three, allowing three hits with no walks.

Hardin-Simmons junior righty Haven Williams (Abilene, Texas) tossed six scoreless innings, allowing just one hit with three strikeouts and a walk in the Cowgirls’ 3-1 win at Schreiner. She left after five innings with a 1-0 lead and returned in the seventh to earn the save.