March 12, 2008

Eck named Jayhawk East Coach of the Year

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.