What's Going On In and Around Black College Sports
SWAC'S BEST: Gregory Burks,
a 5-10 senior guard, who helped lead the Panthers of Prairie View A&M
to their first regular season conference title in 41 years, has been voted
men's player of the year in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.
Five-ten senior Shemeka Jackson who led Alabama State to a
share of the SWAC women's regular season title, won the women's award.
Burks, a native of Flint, Michigan, ranked first in SWAC scoring (18.5
ppg.), second in free throw percentage (82.2%), third in steals (1.81) and
fourth in assists (4.44). Jackson, from Saginaw, Michigan, lead the league
averaging 20 points per game and was fifth in rebounding (7.3) while leading
the Lady Hornets to their first regular season crown. Malachi Thurston,
a second team all-conference selection who averaged 14.9 points per game,
was tabbed SWAC men's Newcomer of the Year while Grambling State
teammates Brion Rush and William McDonald were named Freshman
of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year respectively. Rush averaged
16.8 points per game and led the SWAC hitting 3.1 three-pointers per game.
McDonald topped the league in blocks (2.86) while scoring 12.6 points and
pulling down 8.6 rebounds per game. Jackson State junior center Aimee
Williams won both the women's Newcomer and Defensive Player of the Year
awards. Williams averaged 18.3 points per game, second best in the SWAC
and a league leading 10.9 rebounds per game. The 6-7 Williams led all Div.
I players in blocked shots at 5.11 per game. Southern guard Rolanda
Monroe was awarded Freshman of the Year after averaging 11.6 points,
3.1 assists and 2.6 steals in conference play. The 2002-03 All-SWAC Basketball
team is selected in voting by the head coaches and sports information directors
of the SWAC. The All-SWAC players will be presented with their awards at
the SWAC Awards Banquet on Thursday, March 13th, in Birmingham, Alabama
at The Harbert Center. The banquet is held as part of the activities as
a prelude to the SWAC Basketball Tournament, March 14-15.- MEN'S FIRST TEAM
- G-Ra'Kim Hollis (Texas Southern) 6-2, 185, Sr., Tyler, TX
- G-Gregory Burks (Prairie View A&M) 5-10, 161, Sr., Flint, MI
- F-Attarrius Norwood,(MVSU) 6-8, 230, Jr., Crystal Springs, MS
- F-Paul Haynes (Grambling State) 6-6, 195, Jr., Auburn Hills, MI
- C-William McDonald (Grambling State) 6-9, 220, Sr., Pontiac, MI
- NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
- Malachi Thurston, (Pr. View A&M) F, 6-6, 190, Jr., Oakland, CA
- FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
- Brion Rush (Grambling State) G, 6-1, 175, Shreveport, LA
- DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
- William McDonald (Grambling State) C, 6-9, 220, Sr., Pontiac, MI
- PLAYER OF THE YEAR
- Gregory Burks (Prairie View A&M) G, 5-10, 161, Sr., Flint, MI
- WOMEN'S FIRST TEAM
- G - Keairra Levy (Alcorn State) 5-6, Sr., Pickens, MS
- G - Latesha Lee (Jackson State) 5-6, Jr., Bastrop, LA
- F - Shameka Jackson (Alabama State) 5-10, Sr., Saginaw, MI
- F - Chovanique Kibble (Grambling State) 6-1, Sr., Houston, TX
- C - Amie Williams (Jackson State) 6-7 Jr., Cleveland, MS
- FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
- Rolanda Moore (Southern) 5-7, Fr., Arcadia, LA
- NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
- Amie Williams (Jackson State) 6-7 Jr., Cleveland, MS
- DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
- Amie Williams (Jackson State) 6-7 Jr., Cleveland, MS
- PLAYER OF THE YEAR
- Shameka Jackson (Alabama State) 5-10, Sr., Saginaw, MI
- G-Ra'Kim Hollis (Texas Southern) 6-2, 185, Sr., Tyler, TX
REGION STARS: Five CIAA players were named Tuesday to the Daktronics/CoSIDA NCAA Div. II Men's Basketball South Atlantic All-Region Team. CIAA Player of the Year, Patrick Pope of St. Augustine's, Johnson C. Smith forward Marco Spears and Bowie State forward Tim Washington were named to the first team. Six-nine Shaw forward Kenyon Booker and 6-5 North Carolina Central swingman Shawn Ray were named second teamers. All five are seniors who were selected to the all-CIAA team. Pope led the CIAA in scoring (24.6), free throw percentage (86.8%) and steals (2.95) while Spears was third in scoring (21.6). Washington, the CIAA Tournament MVP, lead the Bulldogs to the league title averaged 19.9 points and 9.0 rebounds. Booker averaged 15.1 points and 11.5 rebounds while Ray got 18.8 points per game for the Eagles.
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