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ASC – Sports

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Jones, Pena & Holt Named ASC Women’s Basketball Players of the Week
Louisiana College senior Brooke Jones, UT Dallas sophomore Victoria Pena and Mary Hardin-Baylor sophomore Hannah Holt named Players of the Week for the first week of the 2017-18 season.

AMERICAN SOUTHWEST CONFERENCE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Games: November 15-19, 2017

CO-EAST DIVISION PLAYER OF THE WEEK – Brooke Jones, Sr., C, Louisiana College
Louisiana College senior center Brooke Jones (Covington, La. / Covington HS) averaged 18.7 points, and 10.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.3 steals per game as the Wildcats opened the year 2-1. She scored 19 points with nine rebounds, three assists and a pair of blocks in a 77-53 victory against Birmingham-Southern. Jones then recorded 17 points and 16 rebounds with three assists and two steals in a 77-71 win against North Central and finished with 20 points, five boards and five steals in a loss to Wheaton (Ill.). For the week, Jones shot 52.5 percent (21-for-40) from the field and 73.7 percent (14-for-19) from the line.

CO-EAST DIVISION PLAYER OF THE WEEK – Victoria Pena, So., G, UT Dallas
The University of Texas at Dallas sophomore guard Victoria Pena (Helotes, Texas / O’Connor HS) averaged a double-double with 16.3 points and 11.0 rebounds as the Comets went 2-1 during the opening week. She also averaged 3.7 assists and 4.0 steals per contest. Pena opened the season with 18 points, ten boards, four assists and two steals in a 67-47 win against Austin. In a loss to Emory, she tallied 16 points, nine rebounds, three assists and three steals, then finished the week with 15 points, 14 boards, four assists and seven steals in a 68-45 victory against Emory & Henry.

WEST DIVISION PLAYER OF THE WEEK – Hannah Holt, So., G, Mary Hardin-Baylor
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor sophomore guard Hannah Holt (Lumberton, Texas / Lumberton HS) set a Cru NCAA Division III era single-game scoring record with 35 points in a 91-73 win against Texas Lutheran. She shot 52 percent (11-for-21) from the field and went 7-for-10 at the line to go with three rebounds, five steals, and an assist.

OTHER TOP PERFORMANCES

EAST DIVISION
The University of Texas at Tyler senior forward Alex Kochner (Clear Lake, Texas / Clear Lake HS) started her season with a double-double by contributing 12 points and 12 rebounds in an 83-54 win over Howard Payne. She also added five assists and two steals.

Belhaven University senior guard Kelsey Brown (Greenwood, Miss. / Greenwood HS) averaged 8.3 points during the Blazers’ first three games of the season. She scored 13 points with three blocks in a 59-53 loss to Millsaps and eight points in a loss to Emory & Henry. Brown finished the week with 15 points and two assists against Emory.

University of the Ozarks freshman forward Destinee Manning (Memphis, Tenn. / Germantown HS) averaged a double-double to open the season as the Eagles went 1-1 to start the year. She posted 12 points, 13 rebounds and three steals in a 74-65 loss to Hendrix, then recorded 11 points and 17 boards in a 79-69 win against Rhodes. Manning shot 60 percent (9-for-15) from the field in the two games.

East Texas Baptist University sophomore forward Kim Childress (Highlands Ranch, Colo. / Colorado-Mesa) led the Tigers to a 64-45 win at Centenary with 15 points, six rebounds, and four steals. She shot 53.8 percent (7-for-13) from the field in the game.

WEST DIVISION
Howard Payne University junior guard Valarie Matlock (Azle, Texas / Azle HS) scored 21 points on 9-of-16 shooting in the Lady Jackets’ loss at UT Tyler. She hit a trio of three-pointers to go with an assist and a steal.

Concordia University Texas junior guard Mercedes Ellison (Victoria, Texas / Victoria West HS) averaged 12.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.0 steals per game as the Tornados started the season 2-0. She had 15 points, 11 boards and three steals in a 63-48 win against Schreiner, then added 11 points, four rebounds and six steals in a 66-56 win against the Mountaineers.

Hardin-Simmons University senior guard Danie Mabry (Winnsboro, Texas / Winnsboro HS) was named the MVP of the Daly Seven Tip-Off Classic by averaging 17 points per game and leading the Cowgirls to a pair of wins. In their 56-49 win at Gulford Mabry scored 18 points. She added 16 points with two steals in an 80-51 victory against Meredith. Mabry shot 46.2 percent (6-for-13) from outside and 10-for-10 at the free throw line.

 

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Obukwelu, Samuels Named ASC Men’s Basketball Players of the Week
UT-Tyler sophomore Emeka Obukwelu and Concordia Texas senior Joshua Samuels earn the Player of the Week awards for the first week of the 2017-18 season.

AMERICAN SOUTHWEST CONFERENCE MEN’S BASKETBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Games: November 15-19, 2017

EAST DIVISION PLAYER OF THE WEEK – Emeka Obukwelu, So., F, UT Tyler
The University of Texas at Tyler sophomore forward Emeka Obukwelu (Plano, Texas / Plano West HS) averaged a double-double in the Patriots’ two wins in the opening week. In their 78-76 win at Texas Lutheran on Thursday, Obukwelu recorded 28 points, and 13 rebounds then had 26 points 16 boards in Saturday’s 86-68 victory at Southwestern. He shot 75 percent (24-for-32) from the field in the two contests.

WEST DIVISION PLAYER OF THE WEEK – Joshua Samuels, Sr., G, Concordia Texas
Concordia University Texas senior guard Joshua Samuels (Cypress, Texas / Cypress Woods HS) averaged 16.7 points per game while shooting 54.5 percent (18-of-33) from the field as the Tornados went 2-1 on the week, including a 68-67 victory at No. 18 Guilford. In the win against Guilford, Samuels buried four three-pointers for 14 points. He then had 19 points with five trifectas in an 83-80 loss to Hampden-Sydney. Samuels finished the week with 17 points and five more threes in a 91-68 victory at Averett. He shot 48.3 percent (14-of-29) from three-point range during the week and named to the Davy Seven Tip-Off Classic All-Tournament Team.

OTHER TOP PERFORMANCES

EAST DIVISION
Belhaven University senior guard Ron Davis (Edward, Miss. / Raymond HS) led the Blazers with 17 points to go with two rebounds, three assists and two steals in their 110-97 loss to Birmingham-Southern. Davis went 5-for-11 from three-point range in the game.

LeTourneau University freshman guard Justin Moore (Houston, Texas / Stratford HS) averaged 20.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and a steal per game as the YellowJackets opened the season 2-1. He started his collegiate career with 20 points, eight boards, five assists and a pair of steals in a 105-78 victory against Austin. Moore then scored 21 points on 7-of-8 shooting with six rebounds, three assists and a block in a 93-84 loss to Johns Hopkins. He ended the week with 21 points and went 5-for-5 from three-point territory in a 79-64 win against Vassar. Moore shot 68.8 percent (22-for-32) from the field and 6-of-8 from outside.

University of the Ozarks senior forward Dylan Gray (Siloam Springs, Ark. / Siloam Springs HS) averaged 16.3 points, and 7.7 rebounds as the Eagles went 2-1 to start the year. He notched a double-double with 12 points and 11 boards to go with five assists in a 68-67 win against Hendrix. Gray added 12 points in a loss to Dominican then had 25 points, eight rebounds, four assists, four steals and a pair of blocks in a 94-90 win against Principia. He shot 48.4 percent (15-of-31) from the field, 46.7 percent (7-of-15) from outside and 80 percent (12-for-15) from the free throw line.

The University of Texas at Dallas senior guard/forward Ben Smith (Round Rock, Texas / Austin Westwood HS) came off the bench to lead the Comets in scoring as they started the season 2-0 on the road. Smith averaged 12 points per game while shooting 42.1 percent from the field and 63.6 percent (7-of-11) from three-point range. He scored 14 points, hitting 4-of-6 three-pointers, in a 63-51 win at Trinity. He then had 10 points and three treys in a 61-59 win at Schreiner.

East Texas Baptist University sophomore forward Robby Dooley (Bossier City, La. / Airline HS) averaged 19.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.5 blocks and 2.0 steals per game as the Tigers went 1-1 during their opening week. He scored a career-high 23 points with four boards, four assists and three steals in the season-opening 89-81 win at Centenary. Dooley followed with 16 points, six rebounds and three blocks in an 82-80 loss to Sul Ross State.

WEST DIVISION
Howard Payne University senior guard Khyce Randall (Beaumont, Texas / Westbrook HS) led the Yellow Jackets with 22 points and five rebounds in their loss to NCAA Division I foe, Abilene Christian. He went 12-for-14 at the free throw line and dished out two assists.

University of Mary Hardin-Baylor freshman guard Sam Moore (Gonzales, Texas / Nixon-Smiley HS) averaged 13 points, and 4.5 points per game as the Cru won their first two contests of the season. He started his career with four points, six rebounds and an assist in their 74-58 win at Schreiner. Moore then scored 22, including seven consecutive points in a crucial stretch late in the game, to lead a rally for a 90-88 victory against Texas Lutheran. During the week, he shot 53 percent (8-for-15) from the field and was a perfect 8-for-8 from the line.

Hardin-Simmons University junior guard Joe Hoeup (Santa Rosa, Calif. / Elsie Allen HS) scored 27 points in just 15 minutes in the Cowboys’ 83-77 loss at Southwestern. He went 4-for-10 from three-point range and 9-for-10 at the line to go with three steals, two rebounds, and an assist.

Sul Ross State University senior forward Caleb Thomasson (Ackerly, Texas / Sands HS) averaged 18.5 points, and 4.5 rebounds per game as the Lobos opened the year 2-0. He scored 11 points with five rebounds and three steals in a 77-60 victory against Louisiana College. He then scored 26 points on 11-of-18 shooting in an 82-80 win at East Texas Baptist. For the week, Thomasson shot 64 percent (16-of-25) from the field.

 

FOOTBALL

RICHARDSON, Texas – Hardin Simmons University junior running back JaQuan Hemphill and the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, senior defensive lineman Haston Adams were named Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year, respectively. They highlighted the 2017 American Southwest Conference football awards, the ASC office announced Friday after a vote of the league’s head coaches.

Hemphill, a two-time All-ASC selection, led the conference with 111.0 rushing yards per game and ranked 12th in the nation with 7.4 yards-per-carry. He tallied 999 yards with 14 touchdowns.

Adams anchored the top-ranked Cru defense that ranks fifth in the nation in total defense, allowing just 216.8 yards per contest. The three-time All-ASC selection was second in league with 14.5 tackles for loss to go with 28 total tackles and three sacks.

HSU senior center Vic Rodriguez was named the Offensive Lineman of the Year. He helped the No. 5 Cowboys to 522.6 yards per game, ranking fourth in the nation, and 45.1 points per game, ninth in the country.

UMHB senior defensive end Ajay Fanene was selected as Defensive Lineman of the Year. He recorded 21 tackles, 10.5 for a loss, seven sacks and four pass breakups with a forced fumble.

Hardin-Simmons junior Reese Childress was the Special Teams Player of the Year. A First Team pick at slot back and punter and second team return specialist, Childress was all over the field for the Cowboys. He averaged 12.9 yards per punt return with a touchdown, 20.8 yards per kick return and 40.1 yards per punt.

The ASC had Co-Freshman of the Year recipients for the third time in league history with wide-receiver/return specialist Kentavious Miller from East Texas Baptist University and linebacker Josh Smith from McMurry University taking home the honors. Miller recorded 17 catches for 219 yards and two touchdowns and averaged 29.5 yards per punt return with a score and 24.5 yards on kick returns. Smith was the War Hawks’ top tackler with 87 and had 5.5 tackles for a loss, 2.5 sacks, and an interception.

Mary Hardin-Baylor’s Pete Fredenburg and Texas Lutheran University’s Carl Gustafson were named Co-Coach of the Year. Fredenburg won the award for the 10th time in his career for leading the Cru to a 10-0 record and their 15th ASC title. Gustafson, in his first year as a head coach, led the Bulldogs to a 6-4 record and 6-3 mark in the ASC, tying for third place. It was TLU’s first season competing in the ASC.

Twenty-five players made a return appearance to the all-conference team led by three-time selections Steven Savedra from Sul Ross State University, Haston Adams of UMHB, Caleb Taylor of East Texas Baptist and Matthew Hawkins from HSU.

2017 All-ASC Football Teams and Awards
Individual Awards

Offensive Player of the Year: JaQuan Hemphill, Hardin-Simmons
Defensive Player of the Year: Haston Adams, Mary Hardin-Baylor
Offensive Lineman of the Year: Vic Rodriguez, Hardin-Simmons
Defensive Lineman of the Year: Ajay Fanene, Mary Hardin-Baylor
Special Teams Player of the Year: Reese Childress, Hardin-Simmons
Co-Freshman of the Year: Kentavious Miller, East Texas Baptist
Co-Freshman of the Year: Josh Smith, McMurry
Co-Coach of the Year: Pete Fredenburg, Mary Hardin-Baylor
Co-Coach of the Year: Carl Gustafson, Texas Lutheran

First Team Offense

Pos. Name Cl. University (Hometown)
WR Richard Johnson 2 Jr. East Texas Baptist (Cleveland, Texas)
WR T.J. Josey Jr. Mary Hardin-Baylor (Angleton, Texas)
SB Reese Childress 2 Jr. Hardin-Simmons (Abilene, Texas)
TE Steven Savedra 3 Sr. Sul Ross State (El Paso, Texas)
G Riley Owens Sr. Hardin-Simmons (Abilene, Texas)
G Alex Briseno Sr. Texas Lutheran (Brownsville, Texas)
T Jonathan Castaneda 2 So. Hardin-Simmons (Abilene, Texas)
T Corbin Campitelli Sr. Mary Hardin-Baylor (Dallas, Texas)
C Vic Rodriguez Sr. Hardin-Simmons (Mesquite, Texas)
QB Frederick Hover Jr. Southwestern (McAllen, Texas)
RB JaQuan Hemphill 2 Jr. Hardin-Simmons (Coleman, Texas)
RB Markeith Miller 2 Jr. Mary Hardin-Baylor (Garland, Texas)
RB Hunter Batten Fr. Howard Payne (Bryan, Texas)
K John Mowery 2 Sr. Mary Hardin-Baylor (Leander, Texas)
RS Bryce Wilkerson 2 Sr. Mary Hardin-Baylor (Tyler, Texas)

First Team Defense

Pos. Name Cl. University (Hometown)
DL Haston Adams 3 Sr. Mary Hardin-Baylor (Beckville, Texas)
DL Ajay Fanene 2 Sr. Mary Hardin-Baylor (Riverside, Calif.)
DL CJ Johnson 2 Jr. East Texas Baptist (Fort Worth, Texas)
DL Zack Roberson 2 Sr. Sul Ross State (Houston, Texas)
LB Tevin Jones Jr. Mary Hardin-Baylor (Belton, Texas)
LB Ty Parsons 2 Sr. East Texas Baptist (Rowlett, Texas)
LB Caleb Taylor 3 Sr. East Texas Baptist (Alba, Texas)
LB Mike Quinonez 2 Sr. Sul Ross State (El Paso, Texas)
DB Kris Brown 2 Sr. Mary Hardin-Baylor (Sealy, Texas)
DB Nik Kelly Sr. Southwestern (League City, Texas)
DB Deejay Johnson Sr. Southwestern (Humble, Texas)
DB James Bell Fr. Texas Lutheran (Houston, Texas)
DB Jordan Washington2 Sr. McMurry (Pflugerville, Texas)
P Reese Childress Jr. Hardin-Simmons (Abilene, Texas)

Second Team Offense

Pos. Name Cl. University (Hometown)
WR Shedrick Davis 2 Sr. Louisiana College (Baton Rouge, La.)
WR Xavier Gray Sr. East Texas Baptist (Denton, Texas)
SB Bryce Wilkerson Sr. Mary Hardin-Baylor (Tyler, Texas)
TE AJ Daniels Jr. Southwestern (Benbrook, Texas)
G Justin Brister Jr. Mary Hardin-Baylor (Jourdanton, Texas)
G Cyle Johnson 2 Sr. Howard Payne (Alvarado, Texas)
G James Smat Jr. Southwestern (Benbrook, Texas)
T Jacob Alford Sr. Louisiana College (Baton Rouge, La.)
T T.J. Vela So. Southwestern (Odem, Texas)
C Christopher Bennett Jr. Texas Lutheran (The Colony, Texas)
QB James Davis Sr. Sul Ross State (Houston, Texas)
QB Kyle Grona Jr. Texas Lutheran (Fredericksburg, Texas)
RB Elijah Smith Fr. Southwestern (Wylie, Texas)
RB Jordan Batson So. Sul Ross State (San Antonio, Texas)
RB Ian Leslie So. Texas Lutheran (San Antonio, Texas)
K Ryan Travis Sr. East Texas Baptist (Jacksonville, Texas)
RS Reese Childress Jr. Hardin-Simmons (Abilene, Texas)

Second Team Defense

Pos. Name Cl. University (Hometown)
DL Brazos Fuller 2 Sr. Mary Hardin-Baylor (Alvarado, Texas)
DL Manny Longoria So. Texas Lutheran (Geronimo, Texas)
DL Jim LaFond 2 Sr. Hardin-Simmons (Refugio, Texas)
DL Cade Maxwell 2 Sr. Louisiana College (Alexandria, La.)
DL Nwankwo Nwankwo So. Texas Lutheran (Richmond, Texas)
LB Jalen Martin Jr. Mary Hardin-Baylor (Round Rock, Texas)
LB Josh White Sr. Hardin-Simmons (Springtown, Texas)
LB Ryan DeMattie 2 Sr. Louisiana College (Natchitoches, La.)
LB Matthew Hawkins 3 Sr. Hardin-Simmons (Aledo, Texas)
DB Reggie Davis 2 Sr. Hardin-Simmons (Bryan, Texas)
DB Reggie Wilson Sr. Mary Hardin-Baylor (Houston, Texas)
DB Orel Ledet Jr. 2 Jr. Louisiana College (Breaux Bridge, La.)
DB Dedrick Strambler So. Hardin-Simmons (Midland, Texas)
P Manual Retana Fr. Sul Ross State (Haltom City, Texas)
P Ryan Travis Sr. East Texas Baptist (Jacksonville, Texas)

Honorable Mention – Offense

Pos. Name Cl. University (Hometown)
WR Devonte’ Walker Jr. Hardin-Simmons (Anson, Texas)
WR Justin Eaton Fr. McMurry (Spring Valley, N.Y.)
WR Byron Jones Jr. Sul Ross State (League City, Texas)
WR Jeremy Reed Sr. Sul Ross State (Grandview, Mo.)
SB Drake Battaglia Jr. Louisiana College (Thibodaux, La.)
SB J.B. Brown Sr. Texas Lutheran (Refugio, Texas)
SB David Brandenburg Fr. Southwestern (Spring, Texas)
SB Tarek Beaugard Sr. East Texas Baptist (Benton, Ark.)
TE Woody Watson Jr. Hardin-Simmons (Mason, Texas)
G Montay Harris Jr. Sul Ross State (Arlington, Texas)
T Donovan Gladden Fr. East Texas Baptist (Hurst, Texas)
T DeJuan Ramirez So. Mary Hardin-Baylor (Brenham, Texas)
T Patrick Riley Jr. Hardin-Simmons (San Antonio, Texas)
T Juan Olivo Sr. Sul Ross State (Houston, Texas)
C Colton Hall Jr. Mary Hardin-Baylor (Liberty Hill, Texas)
C Bob Wells Sr. East Texas Baptist (Quitman, Texas)
C Ryan Morris Sr. Louisiana College (Baton Rouge, La.)
QB Hunter McEachern So. Belhaven (Keller, Texas)
RB Andre Wilson Sr. Sul Ross State (Kingsville, Texas)
K Luke Fierst So. Southwestern (Kerrville, Texas)
K Eli Lopez So. Sul Ross State (Austin, Texas)
K Curtis Sebren Jr. Louisiana College (Dierks, Ark.)
RS Nik Kelly Sr. Southwestern (League City, Texas)
RS Kentavious Miller Fr. East Texas Baptist (Orange, Texas)

Honorable Mention – Defense

Pos. Name Cl. University (Hometown)
DL Kyle Perlowski Sr. Southwestern (Lorena, Texas)
LB Ben Brockman Fr. Southwestern (Midland, Texas)
LB Josh Smith Fr. McMurry (Bossier City, La.)
LB Emory Cuzze Jr. Texas Lutheran (Buda, Texas)
LB Damian Espinoza Sr. Sul Ross State (Katy, Texas)
LB Jacob Ferguson Sr. McMurry (Schertz, Texas)
DB Jermaine Stevens Sr. Sul Ross State (Houston, Texas)
DB Derrick Winters So. Sul Ross State (Beaumont, Texas)
DB Raylon Hickey Jr. Mary Hardin-Baylor (Giddings, Texas)
DB Reginald Cole Jr. Mary Hardin-Baylor (Houston, Texas)
DB Tevin Dawson Fr. Howard Payne (Killeen, Texas)
DB Job Mason Sr. Sul Ross State (Thorndale, Texas)
P Grayson Beck Sr. Southwestern (Houston, Texas)

Outstanding Sportsman Team of the Year

Pos. Name Cl. University (Hometown)
QB Brian Baca So. East Texas Baptist (Pittsburg, Texas)
WR Alex Bell Sr. Hardin-Simmons (Midland, Texas)
RB/RS Kalieb Granger Sr. McMurry (Houston, Texas)
RB Markell Henderson Jr. Southwestern (San Antonio, Texas)
QB Kyle Jones So. Mary Hardin-Baylor (Giddings, Texas)
WR D.J. Latino Sr. Louisiana College (Donaldsonville, La.)
LB Keith Marshall Sr. Belhaven (Monroe, La.)
DB/P Caisson Montieth Sr. Howard Payne (Comanche, Texas)
SB/RS Wesley Moss Jr. Sul Ross State (San Antonio, Texas)
WR Logan Thompson Sr. Texas Lutheran (Red Oak, Texas)

Two-time All-Conference2
Three-time All-Conference3

Cody Usher

Assistant Commissioner