| March
12, 2008
Helping
lead the Cowley College men’s basketball team to a school-record
for wins (31) and its first outright conference title since the 1990-91
season, Steve Eck was named the Jayhawk Conference Eastern Division
Coach of the Year on Wednesday.
Eck had the Tigers within a game of qualifying for its first national
tournament appearance in 51 years. Still, he was not expecting to be
named coach of the year.
“It surprised me a little bit, I voted for the Independence coach (Tommy
DeSalme),” Eck said.
Sophomore Montrell McDonald (13.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists)
was named to the All-Conference Team, while Chris Rhymes (15.9 points,
5.3 rebounds) and Reggie Cook (7.8 points, 3.1 assists) were named second-team
all-conference.
“It’s hard to pick those teams, but I think both Montrell and Chris
should have been first-team selections,” Eck said. “Montrell really
came along way this year.”
Eric McKinney (10.5 points, 6.7 rebounds) garnered honorable mention
all-conference honors. Eck felt sophomore forward Preston Brown (10 points,
6.3 rebounds) should have been recognized for his solid play throughout
the season.
Players were nominated by their coaches and then voted on by opposing
coaches, who did not vote for their own players, in their respective
divisions.
JAYHAWK CONFERENCE EASTERN DIVISION
- COACH OF THE YEAR — Steve Eck,
Cowley
- MOST VALUABLE PLAYER — Antonio
Hanson, Independence FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR — Nafis Ricks, Johnson
County ALL CONFERENCE TEAM Antonio Hanson, Independence; Montrell
McDonald, Cowley; Parrish Petty, Allen County; Daniel Payne, Coffeyville;
Arsenio Williams, Fort Scott.
- SECOND TEAM ALL CONFERENCE
Chris Rhymes, Cowley; DeWayne Wright, Highland; Christopher Mekaile
Reed, Labette; James Bush, Independence; Reggie Cook, Cowley; Nafis
Ricks, Johnson County.
- HONORABLE MENTION ALL CONFERENCE
Mark Gomilla, Neosho; J.J. Seymore, Coffeyville; Lenny Daniel, Coffeyville;
Eric McKinney, Cowley; Kyle Speed, Johnson County; Michael Craion,
Independence; Terrance Hill, Coffeyville.
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