Heupel, Hooker earn college awards from TSWA

February 15, 2023 Forrest Freeman

NASHVILLE – Turning in the best season Tennessee has managed in 21 years has earned the Volunteers another pair of honors. Josh Heupel was selected the Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s Football Coach of the Year for 2022 while Vols quarterback Hendon Hooker earned the organization’s Football Player of the Year, announced Wednesday.

Heupel led the Vols to their first 11-win season since 2001 and a final ranking of No. 6 in the country. The 2022 Associated Press Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year guided Tennessee to its first No. 1 ranking in the initial College Football Rankings with an 8-0 start. Heupel also led Tennessee to its first New Year’s Six Bowl appearance in the CFP era, capping the season with a 31-14 victory over ACC champion Clemson in the Orange Bowl.

He was the first Volunteers coach to beat Alabama, Florida and LSU in the same season in 21 years. He was a finalist for the Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year Award and the George Munger Award presented by the Maxwell Football Club.

His Volunteers led the nation in scoring offense, averaging 46.1 points a game, and total offense with 525.5 yards per game for the first time in program history. The Vols set 15 records during the season and tied a program record with six wins over ranked teams.

Hooker took full advantage of his sixth year of eligibility, as he finished fifth in voting for the Heisman Trophy, the highest finish by a Volunteer player in 25 years. Hooker was the AP and SEC coaches’ pick for the league’s offensive player of the year.

He also was a finalist for the Maxwell Award, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and the Manning Award. Hooker ranked second nationally with a 175.51 passer rating and led the nation, averaging 9.5 yards per pass attempt. He was captain of the nation’s top offense and led the Vols to their first 10-win regular season since 2003.

He compiled 3,565 yards of total offense and 32 touchdowns this season and was the only player in the nation with 25 or more touchdown passes and two or fewer interceptions.

Hooker also led the SEC in total offense (324.1), passing efficiency (175.51), completion percentage (69.6), points responsible for per game (17.6) and yards per pass attempt (9.53).

Wykle, Williams garner TSWA weekly accolades

February 14, 2023 Forrest Freeman

MEN’S BASKETBALL: Memphis’ Williams earns TSWA Player of the Week honors
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – University of Memphis forward DeAndre Williams was named the Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s Men’s Basketball Player of the Week, posting 26.0 points, 8.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists in two wins for the Tigers.

The Houston, Texas, native made 8-of-13 shots from the field and matched his career-high with a 10-for-10 effort at the free throw line, finishing with 26 points and five boards at South Florida. He collected his eighth double-double of the season with 26 points and 12 rebounds along with six assists against Temple, connecting on 11-of-18 field goals with a pair of 3-pointers.

Williams is averaging 17.5 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game in 25 outings this season while shooting 54.1 percent from the floor.

2022-23 TSWA MEN’S BASKETBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
November 15 – Bryant Thomas, Carson-Newman
November 22 – Boe Njuidjol, Union University
November 29 – Ben Sheppard, Belmont
December 6 – Ren Dyer, Carson-Newman
December 14 – Inady Legiste, Tusculum University
December 20 – Tylandrius Parks, Union University
January 3 – Tylandrius Parks, Union University
January 10 – Elon Smallwood, Trevecca University
January 17 – Michael Mays, King University
January 24 – Michael Mays, King University
January 31 – Boe Nguidjol, Union University
February 7 – Tylandrius Parks, Union University

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, registering 37.5 points, 3.0 assists and 2.0 steals in two games for the Eagles.

The Greeneville, Tenn., native scored 31 points with two assists and four steals at Mars Hill, making 11-of-20 shots overall from the field, including 7-for-10 from 3-point range. The junior guard followed that with a 44-point effort in a six-point home victory against Anderson University, connecting on 14-of-25 field goals and 7-for-13 from behind the arc. She also made all nine attempts at the foul line while posting two rebounds and four assists.

Wykle averages 21.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.3 steals in 23 contests this season while shooting 45.7 percent from 3-point range and 92 percent at the foul line.

2022-23 TSWA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
November 15 – Cjaba Harbison, Vanderbilt
November 22 – Braelyn Wykle, Carson-Newman
November 29 – Raven Thompson, Chattanooga
December 6 – Jami Tham, Tusculum University
December 14 – Jami Tham, Tusculum University
December 20 – Mya Belton, Tusculum University
January 3 – Rickea Jackson, Tennessee
January 10 – Jordan Horston, Tennessee
January 17 – Braelyn Wykle, Carson-Newman
January 24 – Madison Bartley, Belmont
January 31 – Ciaja Harbison, Vanderbilt
February 7 – Madison Bartley, Belmont

Bartley, Parks earn TSWA weekly honors

February 7, 2023 Forrest Freeman

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: Belmont’s Bartley earns TSWA Player of the Week accolade
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Belmont’s Madison Bartley was voted the Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s Women’s Basketball Player of the Week, averaging 20.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in two wins for the Bruins.

The Kettering, Ohio, native posted 19 points on 8-for-15 shooting and grabbed five rebounds in a home victory against Murray State. She netted 11 points along with three assists and two blocks in the third quarter versus the Racers.

The junior forward collected her third career double-double with 22 points and a game-high 12 boards at Bradley, hitting 10-of-20 shots from the field. She scored 13 of her 22 points in the first half.

Bartley has scored in double figures in seven straight games and led Belmont in scoring for six consecutive contests. She has posted six 20-point outings this season, with four of those over the past six contests. Bartley averages 14.0 points and 5.1 rebounds in 23 games this season for Belmont.

2022-23 TSWA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
November 15 – Ciaja Harbison, Vanderbilt
November 22 – Braelyn Wykle, Carson-Newman
November 29 – Raven Thompson, Chattanooga
December 6 – Jami Tham, Tusculum University
December 14 – Jami Tham, Tusculum University
December 20 – Mya Belton, Tusculum University
January 3 – Rickea Jackson, Tennessee
January 10 – Jordan Horston, Tennessee
January 17 – Braelyn Wykle, Carson-Newman
January 24 – Madison Bartley, Belmont
January 31 – Ciaja Harbison, Vanderbilt

MEN’S BASKETBALL: Union’s Parks earns TSWA Player of the Week honors
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Union University’s Tylandrius Parks was named the Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s Men’s Basketball Player of the Week, registering 30.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists in two games for the Bulldogs.

The Pocahontas, Tenn., native made 9-of-12 field goals with four 3-pointers and hit all six foul shots for 28 points versus West Florida, adding seven boards and five assists. He followed that with 33 points, six rebounds and four assists in an overtime loss against Valdosta State, connecting on 10-of-18 from the field and 12-for-14 at the foul line.

Parks averages 19.4 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists through 21 games this season.

Harbison, Nguidjol recognized with TSWA weekly honors

January 31, 2023 Forrest Freeman

MEN’S BASKETBALL: Union’s Nguidjol earns TSWA Player of the Week honors
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Union University’s Boe Nguidjol was named the Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s Men’s Basketball Player of the Week, posting 19 points and eight rebounds in a victory for the Bulldogs.

The Los Angeles, Calif., native made 7-of-12 field goals with a pair of 3-pointers in the win against Christian Brothers. The senior forward connected on 3-of-5 free throws as well while adding eight boards, three assists and five steals.

Nguidjol averages 13.6 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.2 steals through 20 games this season.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: Vanderbilt’s Harbison earns TSWA Player of the Week accolade
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Vanderbilt’s Ciaja Harbison was voted the Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s Women’s Basketball Player of the Week, tying a single-game school record with 41 points in a victory over Texas A&M.

The Louisville, Ky., native netted a career-best 41 points along with three rebounds and five steals in the win versus the Aggies. She made 14-of-19 field goals with two 3-pointers and connected on 11-of-13 attempts at the foul line. She tied the program record for points in a game set by Chantelle Anderson in 2001.

Harbison scored 10 of the Commodores’ final 13 points (assisting on the other basket during that stretch) after the Aggies cut the deficit to eight to seal the victory. It was the most points scored by an individual in the SEC this season. Harbison is the only player in the league currently ranked in the top five in scoring (19.6), assists (4.4) and steals (2.2).

Bartley, Mays garner TSWA weekly honors

January 24, 2023 Forrest Freeman

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: Belmont’s Bartley earns TSWA Player of the Week accolade
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Belmont’s Madison Bartley was voted the Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s Women’s Basketball Player of the Week, posting 24.0 points and 6.0 rebounds in two wins for the Bruins.

The Kettering, Ohio, native scored 26 points with eight boards versus Missouri State, connecting on 9-of-20 shots from the field and 8-for-8 at the foul line. She netted 14 of her 26 points in the fourth quarter in a 75-66 victory.

The junior forward collected 22 points and four rebounds in less than 16 minutes of action against Southern Illinois, making 9-of-10 field goals with one 3-pointer and 3-for-4 at the charity stripe.

Bartley is averaging 12.5 points and 4.7 boards per game through 19 contests this season.

MEN’S BASKETBALL: King’s Mays earns TSWA Player of the Week honors
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – King University’s Michael Mays was named the Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s Men’s Basketball Player of the Week, averaging 25.3 points and 6.0 rebounds in three games for the Tornado.

The Bristol, Tenn., native started the week with 25 points and 10 boards versus Barton College, surpassing the 1,000-career point plateau in a three-point loss for King. He made 8-of-20 from the field and 8-for-8 at the foul line.

He followed that with 32 points and four caroms against Belmont Abbey, connecting on 9-of-19 shots from the field with four 3-pointers and 10-for-11 at the charity stripe. Mays posted 19 points and four rebounds versus Carolina University, hitting 5-of-9 field goals with three triples and 6-for-6 free throws.

Mays is averaging 22.9 0points and 3.8 rebounds per outing in 17 games this season for the Tornado.