TSWA cancels Hall of Fame dinner

NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Sports Writers Association has canceled its annual Hall of Fame dinner set for July 9 in Baird Chapel on the Cumberland University campus in Lebanon amid continuing concerns about COVID-19 and gatherings of large groups in indoor spaces.

Teresa Walker (Associated Press), Tommy Bryan (Wilson Post) and Mark Wiedmer (Chattanooga Times-Free Press) were scheduled for induction into the TSWA Hall of Fame next month. The organization will elect another class for the Hall of Fame later this summer/early fall and Walker, Bryan and Wiedmer will join those individuals during an induction dinner in summer 2021.

Union's Campbell, UT Martin's Perry named TSWA award winners

NASHVILLE – Union University’s Mark Campbell and UT Martin’s Chelsey Perry were named the Tennessee Sports Writers Association Women’s Basketball Coach and Player of the Year, respectively, as announced this week by the organization.

Campbell led Union to the Gulf South Conference regular season title for the sixth time in eight years of league play as well as the program’s third Gulf South Tournament championship, compiling a 26-5 overall mark, 17-3 in GSC action. The Bulldogs earned the No. 2 seed in the NCAA D2 South Region Tournament.

He improved his career record to 639-99 (.867) over 21 years at Union. Campbell led the USA Women's Basketball U16 team to the gold medal in the America's Championship in Chile last summer, earning USA Developmental Coach of the Year accolades, and was named to coach the U17 team in this year’s World Championships. He was selected to the NAIA Hall of the Fame and the Jackson Madison County Sports Hall of Fame in Fall 2019 as well.

Perry averaged 23.1 points, 7.9 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game, helping the Skyhawks to a share of the Ohio Valley Conference regular season title. The Middleton, Tenn., native scored 740 points on the season to rank second in the NCAA (all Divisions) and first amongst all collegiate scorers in the state of Tennessee.

She became just the fourth All-American in program history after ranking first nationally in field goals made (286), second in total points (740) and third in points per game (23.1). She also ranked 11th nationally in blocks (86).

Perry garnered WBCA Honorable Mention Coaches’ All-American honors along with OVC Player of the Year and First Team All-OVC. She was also named a finalist for the Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year Award.

LMU's Schertz, King's Floyd garner TSWA recognition

NASHVILLE – Lincoln Memorial’s Josh Schertz and King University’s Jordan Floyd were voted the Tennessee Sports Writers Association Men’s Basketball Coach and Player of the Year, respectively, as announced this week by the organization.

Schertz led the Railsplitters to a 32-1 record en route to the best season in both school and South Atlantic Conference history in terms of winning percentage (.970). LMU posted its third undefeated conference season in five years, eighth SAC regular season championship and fifth SAC Tournament title since 2011.

Lincoln Memorial ended the season ranked No. 2 in both national polls and on a 32-game winning streak, the longest winning streak at any level of college basketball in 2019-20, which set both a program and SAC record. Schertz garnered South Atlantic Conference and National Association of Basketball Coaches Division II Southeast District Coach of the Year honors during the campaign while winning his 300th career game on January 8, reaching 300 career wins in only 365 games as a head coach.

Floyd averaged 31.9 points per game along with 4.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.9 steals for the Tornado. The Stone Mountain, Ga., native collected a slew of awards, including Ron Lenz National Player of the Year, First Team All-America, D2CCAA Southeast Region Player of the Year and First Team D2CCAA All-Southeast Region.

He also earned First Team All-Southeast District and All-America accolades from the NABC along with First Team All-Conference Carolinas and Conference Carolinas Player of the Year. Floyd set school records for points in a game (47), points in a season (956) and career points (1,900 in three seasons) while leading Conference Carolinas in field goals (327), 3-point field goals made (107), free throws made (195), points (956) and points per game (31.9).

He was named Conference Carolinas Player of the Week seven times and NCAA DII National Player of the Week twice during the season. Floyd recorded 19 contests with at least 30 points and eight with 40-plus points during the year.

Austin Peay's Hudspeth, Jackson voted TSWA football coach, player of year

NASHVILLE – Austin Peay’s Mark Hudspeth and Kordell Jackson were voted the Tennessee Sports Writers Association College Football Coach and Player of the Year, respectively, for the 2019 season, as announced this week.

Hudspeth led the Govs to their first OVC championship since 1977, the program's first-ever nine-win regular season and their first-ever FCS playoff appearance. APSU won their first two playoff games before falling in the quarterfinals at Montana State.

Hudspeth was named the 2019 Ohio Valley Conference's Roy Kidd Coach of the Year Award winner in his first season leading the program. He finished third in the STATS FCS Eddie Robinson Award voting (National Coach of the Year) and earned AFCA Region 3 Coach of the Year. The Govs set program single-season records in scoring (518 points), touchdowns (69), passing yards (3,594), passing touchdowns (32), total offense (6,288 yards), yards per game (419.2) and rushing touchdowns (34).

Austin Peay ranked among the nation's Top 10 in fourth-down conversion defense (35.5 percent, 10th), fumbles lost (four, 7th), rushing defense (104.1 yards per game, 8th) and sacks allowed (1.00, 8th).

Jackson garnered First Team All-America honors from six different organizations, including the Associated Press FCS All-America Team. He was named the FCS ADA Defensive Back of the Year, tallying seven interceptions (one off the national lead), and was responsible for 10 of the Govs’ 25 turnovers gained. He also scored three defensive touchdowns, two by interception and one on a fumble return.

The Birmingham, Ala., native posted 43 total tackles, 7.0 for loss, along with two sacks and was a key part of an Austin Peay defense that ranked 12th nationally in total defense (307.5 yards per game), 15th in pass efficiency defense (115.98) and 18th in scoring defense (20.6 points per game).

TSWA honors all-state bowling teams

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Sports Writers Association announced boys and girls bowling all-state teams on Friday for the 2019-20 season. All-state accolades are based solely from results of the TSSAA state individual championships.

GIRLS
Division I
Jordan Mundt, Bartlett, Sr.
Kyleigh Husted, White House, Jr.
Kailee Channell, Hardin County, Jr.
Shelbie Garrison, Cherokee, Sr.
Madison Goshert, Lawrence County, Sr.

Division II
Jenna Hedgepath, Lipscomb Academy, Fr.
Olivia Van Hooser, Friendship Christian Fr.
Madeline Hartlage, Pope John Paul II, Sr.
Katie Dorr, Pope John Paul II, Jr.
Leah Hayes, Clarksville Academy, Jr.

BOYS
Division I
John Smith, Hardin County, Jr.
Hunter Hardaway, Greenbrier, Sr.
Coleman Bryant, Brentwood, Sr.
Lane Bolton, Chuckey Doak, Jr.
Trevor Bradey, Santa Fe, Sr.

Division II
Matthew Mesecher, Pope John Paul II, Jr.
C.J. Petrin, Notre Dame, Jr.
Tony Craig, Christian Brothers, Sr.
Andrew Haun, McCallie School, Jr.
Jack Hollis III, Briarcrest Christian, Sr.