College players of the week recognized by TSWA - March 2

March 2, 2021 Forrest Freeman

MEN’S BASKETBALL: Tusculum’s Gibson earns TSWA Player of the Week honors
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tusculum University’s Trenton Gibson was named the Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s Men’s Basketball Player of the Week, posting 17 points, 12 rebounds and five assists in the Pioneers regular season finale.

The Murfreesboro, Tenn., native connected on 6-of-15 shots overall with one 3-pointer and was 4-for-4 at the foul line in the victory over Lenoir-Rhyne, pushing Tusculum’s winning streak to six games and securing the No. 2 seed in this week’s conference tournament.

Gibson leads the Pioneers in scoring (18.7), rebounding (7.9), assists (4.8) and steals (1.5). He is the only player in the South Atlantic Conference ranked in the Top 5 in scoring, rebounding and assists and also ranks eighth in steals in the league.

2020-21 TSWA MEN’S BASKETBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
December 9 – Tavon King, Cumberland University
December 15 – Luke Smith, Belmont
December 22 – Devin Whitfield, Lincoln Memorial
January 5 – Ben Sheppard, Belmont
January 12 – Kavon Blankenship, Bryan College
January 19 – Ren Dyer, Carson-Newman
January 26 – Tripp Davis, Carson-Newman
February 2 – Kevin Chong, Maryville College
February 9 – Luke Brenegan, Carson-Newman
February 16 – Hunter Vick, Union University
February 23 – Tripp Davis, Carson-Newman

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: Belmont’s Wells garners TSWA Player of the Week accolades
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Belmont’s Destinee Wells was voted the Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s Women’s Basketball Player of the Week, averaging 19.7 points, 2.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists in three wins for the Bruins.

The Lakeland, Tenn., native netted 19 points on 6-of-13 shooting with a pair of 3-pointers and hit all five free throws, adding three boards and four assists in the second of back-to-back victories over Tennessee Tech.

The freshman guard posted 25 points at Eastern Kentucky, connecting on 8-of-15 field goals with two more triples and 7-for-8 at the charity stripe. She grabbed four rebounds and handed out six assists as well.

Wells finished the week with 15 points and four assists at Morehead State, making 6-of-9 shots and all three free throws. She is registering 16.8 points, 3.1 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 20 games this season for Belmont.

2020-21 TSWA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
December 9 – Allissa Mulaski, Bryan College
December 15 – Anastasia Hayes, Middle Tennessee
December 22 – Eboni Williams, Chattanooga
January 5 – Anastasia Hayes, Middle Tennessee
January 5 – Chelsey Perry, UT Martin
January 19 – Chelsey Perry, UT Martin
January 26 – Lindsay Taylor, Carson-Newman
February 2 – Anastasia Hayes, Middle Tennessee
February 9 – Braelyn Wykle, Carson-Newman
February 16 – Maddie Sutton, Tusculum University
February 23 – Maddie Sutton, Tusculum University

BASEBALL: Vanderbilt’s Keegan, Belmont’s South named TSWA Players of the Week
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Vanderbilt’s Dominic Keegan and Belmont’s Joshua South earned Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s Baseball Player and Pitcher of the Week honors, respectively, for games from February 22-28.

Keegan batted .667 (10-for-15) with four doubles, three home runs, 11 RBIs, eight runs scored and six walks in five games for the Commodores.

The Metheun, Mass., native posted three hits with two doubles and a home run versus Western Kentucky and he collected two hits with a double in the first of four games against Georgia State.

The junior belted a two-run homer among two hits in the second game of the series. Keegan was 1-for-3 with two walks and two runs scored in the opener of Sunday’s doubleheader versus the Panthers and recorded a double and a grand slam along with two runs scored in the second contest.

He is batting .571 with five doubles, three homers and 13 RBIs in seven contests this year.

Smith tossed seven innings in two games for the Bruins, allowing no earned runs on six hits with 10 strikeouts.

The Cookeville, Tenn., native worked two scoreless frames against North Alabama, giving up two hits with no walks and five strikeouts in a limited-inning start because of rainouts the previous weekend.

The sophomore righthander then pitching five innings in a start versus Creighton, limiting the Bluejays to one unearned run on four hits with one walk and five strikeouts.

2021 TSWA BASEBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
February 23 – Andrew Keene, Lincoln Memorial (Player); Gunner Becker, Tusculum University (Pitcher)

TSWA announces college players of the week - Feb. 23

February 23, 2021 Forrest Freeman

MEN’S BASKETBALL: Carson-Newman’s Davis earns TSWA Player of the Week honors
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Carson-Newman’s Tripp Davis was named the Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s Men’s Basketball Player of the Week, averaging 25.0 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.3 steals in three games for the Eagles.

The Nashville, Tenn., native posted 44 points, third-most in single-game school history, against Benedict College, connecting on 12-of-19 shots from the field with two 3-pointers and making 18-for-19 at the foul line. He added six boards and four steals in the win.

The senior guard collected 22 points in the second of two consecutive outings versus Mars Hill, hitting 9-of-11 field goals. Davis grabbed six boards and tied the single-game school record with seven steals in the contest as well.

Davis is registering 13.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.4 steals per game in 18 contests this season.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: Tusculum’s Sutton repeats as TSWA Player of the Week winner
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tusculum University’s Maddie Sutton was voted the Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s Women’s Basketball Player of the Week, registering. 24.0 points, 13.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists with two double-doubles in two victories for the Pioneers.

The Walland, Tenn., native netted 15 points with 16 rebounds and five assists at Lincoln Memorial, helping Tusculum overcome a 15-point deficit en route to the victory. The senior forward scored a career-best 33 points with 11 boards and five assists against Coker University, hitting 11-of-14 field goals and 11-for-12 at the foul line. The win moved the Pioneers into first place in the Southern Athletic Conference.

Sutton averages 15.6 points and 15.2 rebounds in 17 games this year. She has recorded 11 straight double-doubles and leads Division II with 15 this season.

BASEBALL: Lincoln Memorial’s Keene, Tusculum’s Becker named TSWA Players of the Week
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Lincoln Memorial’s Andrew Keene and Tusculum University’s Gunner Becker earned Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s Baseball Player and Pitcher of the Week honors, respectively, for games from February 15-21.

Keene batted .529 (9-for-17) with three home runs, eight RBIs and seven runs scored in five games for the Railsplitters. The Woodstock, Ga., native posted two hits with one RBI and two runs scored versus UVA-Wise and added two hits with a triple, one RBI and a run scored in the first of four games at Anderson University.

He belted two homers with three RBIs in the second game of the series, walking three times and scoring three runs in the 12-3 win. The junior posted a fourth-inning home run, a fifth-inning RBI groundout and a sixth-inning RBI double in a 9-7 series finale victory over the host Trojans.

Becker tossed seven shutout innings with eight strikeouts in the season-opener against the University of Indianapolis.

The senior righthander scattered five hits and walked three. He retired seven straight hitters after a single to start the contest and ran into trouble just once, with the Greyhounds collecting three straight singles in the fifth. He retired the side in order in the sixth and induced an inning-ending doubleplay to finish his work in the seventh.

SOFTBALL: Carson-Newman’s Eakes, King’s Counts garner TSWA Player of the Week honors
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Carson-Newman’s Katie Eakes and King University’s Nikole Counts earned Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s Softball Player and Pitcher of the Week accolades, respectively, for games from February 15-21.

Eakes batted .500 (7-for-14) with one homer, seven RBIs and three runs scored in six games for the Eagles. The Mt. Juliet, Tenn., native singled, walked and scored a run in the first of two games against King and recorded a pair of two-run singles in the second contest versus the Tornado.

The senior infielder posted two hits, including a solo homer for the game’s only run, in the second of two outings against Leesz-McRae, and singled and drove in a run in the first of two games versus Tiffin University. She walked three times and added an RBI in the second contest against the Dragons.

Counts posted a pair of complete-game victories for King, striking out 12 over 14 innings.

The Clintwood, Va., native allowed two runs on six hits with one walk and three strikeouts in the season-opener against Carson-Newman, inducing 12 ground ball outs. The sophomore righthander struck out nine while scattering 10 hits and giving up two runs in a 3-2 win versus UVA-Wise.

Vick, Sutton garner TSWA weekly awards - Feb. 16

February 16, 2021 Forrest Freeman

MEN’S BASKETBALL: Union’s Vick earns TSWA Player of the Week honors
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Union University’s Hunter Vick was named the Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s Men’s Basketball Player of the Week, averaging 26.5 points and 4.0 rebounds in two games for the Bulldogs.

The Camden, Tenn., native netted a career-high 31 points with five boards in the first of two meetings against Delta State, hitting 13-of-19 field goals and 5-for-7 on 3-pointers. The junior guard then recorded 22 points, three rebounds and four assists versus DSU, connecting on 7-of-14 shots overall and 7-for-8 at the foul line.

Vick is posting 16.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 14 contests this season for Union.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: Tusculum’s Sutton garners TSWA Player of the Week accolades
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tusculum University’s Maddie Sutton was voted the Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s Women’s Basketball Player of the Week, registering 22.5 points, 14.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists in two victories for the Pioneers.

The Walland, Tenn., native scored a career-high 32 points on 10-of-15 from the field and 12-for-14 at the foul line versus Queens University while grabbing 16 boards and handing out four assists. The senior forward netting 13 points with 13 rebounds and four assists at Mars Hill.

Sutton averages 14.5 points per game while leading the Southern Athletic Conference and ranking second nationally with 15.5 boards per contest. She has recorded nine consecutive double-doubles and leads Division II with 13 double-doubles in 15 games this season.

Carson-Newman sweeps TSWA weekly awards - Feb. 9

February 9, 2021 Forrest Freeman

MEN’S BASKETBALL: Carson-Newman’s Brenegan earns TSWA Player of the Week honors
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Carson-Newman’s Luke Brenegan was named the Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s Men’s Basketball Player of the Week, averaging 17.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.3 steals in three victories for the Eagles.

The Greenville, S.C., native posted 15 points, three boards, two assists and two steals with three 3-pointers versus Limestone University and added five triples and 19 points along with five assists and two steals against Anderson University.

The freshman guard ended the week with 17 points, including four 3-pointers, four rebounds and two assists versus Catawba College. Brenegan connected on 16-of-27 shots overall and 12-for-20 from behind the arc in the three outings.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: Carson-Newman’s Wykle garners TSWA Player of the Week accolades
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Carson-Newman’s Braelyn Wykle was voted the Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s Women’s Basketball Player of the Week, recording 25.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 4.0 assists in three wins for the Eagles.

The Greeneville, Tenn., native registered 20 points, four boards and six assists, hitting 8-of-21 shots overall, against Anderson University. The sophomore guard collected 33 points versus Wingate University, making six 3-pointers and 11-for-12 at the foul line.

She finished the week with 23 points, five rebounds and four assists versus Queens University, connecting on 9-of-15 field goals with three more triples. Wykle is averaging 23.4 points, 3.7 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 11 contests this season for the Eagles.

Chong, Hayes named TSWA players of the week - Feb. 2

February 2, 2021 Forrest Freeman

MEN’S BASKETBALL: Maryville’s Chong earns TSWA Player of the Week honors
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Maryville College’s Kevin Chong was named the Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s Men’s Basketball Player of the Week, averaging 18.5 points and 5.0 rebounds in two victories for the Scots.

The Coconut Creek, Fla., native made 7-of-14 shots from the field with three 3-pointers for 17 points along with six rebounds and three steals in a win versus Huntingdon College. The junior forward recorded 20 points, four boards and two assists in the next day against Huntingdon, connecting on 7-of-8 field goals and 4-for-5 from behind the arc.

Chong is posting 13.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists in six games this season for Maryville.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: Middle Tennessee’s Hayes garners TSWA Player of the Week accolades
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Middle Tennessee’s Anastasia Hayes was voted the Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s Women’s Basketball Player of the Week, registering 38.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 4.0 steals in two wins for the Blue Raiders.

The Murfreesboro, Tenn., native netted a carer-high 42 points in an overtime triumph at UAB, connecting on 12-of-27 shots overall, including a career-best 6-for-8 from 3-point range, as well as 12-of-17 at the foul line. She scored 21 consecutive points from the 4:55 mark of the third quarter to the 5:08 mark of the fourth period, adding six steals with four assists and three rebounds.

She followed that with 35 points, eight boards and six assists two days later against the Blazers, hitting 12-of-22 shots with a pair of triples and 9-for-14 at the charity stripe. Hayes has scored 20-plus points in 19 straight games, the longest such streak in the nation, and leads the country in scoring at 28.6 points while adding 5.4 rebounds and 4.9 assists in 15 outings for Middle Tennessee.