School-Record Seven Named All-Heart, Blaylock and Henry Earn Top Billing

Oskaloosa–The William Penn men’s basketball team’s incredible balance was recognized as awards season has begun with the all-Heart of America Athletic Conference teams being announced Thursday.

A school-record seven individuals were selected for all-Heart honors, headlined by Kevion Blaylock (Sr., Houston, Texas, Information Technology) being named the league’s Player of the Year. It is the eighth time (sixth in the NAIA era) a William Penn player has claimed the title of Conference MVP.

Joining Blaylock on the 10-person first team was Karmari Newman (Sr., Detroit, Mich., Digital Communication).

Members of the 10-person second squad were Q Cager (Sr., Hopkinsville, Ky., Wellness and Recreation) and Nathan Gehring (Sr., Waukee, Iowa, Business Management), while the trio of Eddie Daley (Sr., DeWitt, Mich., Business Management), Ahmad Pender (Sr., Chicago, Ill, Wellness and Recreation), and Josh Watkins (Sr., Chicago, Ill., Sports Management) were part of the 21-player honorable-mention team.

Blaylock and Newman are now two-time first-teamers, while Gehring is now a two-time second-team pick and Daley is a two-time honorable mention. The awards are the first in the careers of Cager, Pender, and Watkins. The seven honorees break the previous record of five award-winners, which was accomplished on four previous occasions.

As an interesting side note, with so many key members of last year’s team back on the court, there were few newcomers this season. With that said, this is the first time since the 2012-2013 campaign that WPU has not taken home the Newcomer of the Year honor, snapping a streak of seven-straight years.

The septet (group of seven) has guided the navy and gold to a 22-1 record (18-1 Heart), following Thursday’s tournament quarterfinal win over MidAmerica Nazarene. WPU won the regular season title and is preparing for yet another trip to the NAIA National Championship.

The crew is led by Heart Coach of the Year John Henry, who was tabbed at the top of the list by his coaching peers for the fourth time in his 20-year career (also in 2007, 2013, 2017).

Entering Thursday’s victory, Blaylock was averaging 17.5 points and 9.9 rebounds in addition to 55 assists, 20 steals, and 15 blocks. The senior was shooting 62.6% from the field (34.7% 3-PT) and 85.0% from the free-throw line. He scored a season-high 35 points against Central Methodist on February 11.

Entering postseason competition, Blaylock led the Heart in field-goal percentage and free-throw percentage and was tied for first in double-doubles. He was also second in rebounding average and total rebounds, third in total points, fifth in scoring average, and ninth in total blocks.

As of Thursday, Newman averaged 14.4 points, while also tallying 3.4 rebounds per game, 34 assists, and 23 steals. He was knocking down 43.4% of his shots (34.4% 3-PT) and 85.5% of his free throws. The senior posted a season-best 23 points versus Graceland on January 13.

Newman was sixth in the conference in both total three-pointers made as well as three-pointers made per game.

Cager’s first honor comes with him averaging 10.8 points and 3.4 rebounds entering Thursday, while also tallying 82 assists, 25 steals, and 11 blocks. The senior was connecting on 54.9% of his shots (31.6% 3-PT) and 62.1% of his free throws. He finished with a campaign-best 17 points versus Mount Mercy on December 7.

Gehring’s second career award is courtesy of him averaging 10.9 points and 5.6 rebounds going into the postseason, while adding 27 blocks, 19 assists, and eight steals. He was shooting 64.6% overall (62.5% 3-PT) and 58.9% from the stripe.

Daley is averaging 9.4 points and 7.1 rebounds as of the quarterfinals, while also producing 20 blocks, 15 assists, and 12 steals. The senior, who was shooting 55.0% overall (27.3% 3-PT) and 55.2% at the line, recorded a season-high 17 points against MidAmerica Nazarene on January 16.

Pender’s 8.4 points and 4.9 rebounds per game were accompanied by 36 assists, 24 steals, and 14 blocks. The senior was hitting 77.6% of his shots (57.1% 3-PT) and 52.8% of his free throws. His season-best 20 points came in a December 7 outing against Mount Mercy.

Watkins was good for 9.2 points and 2.0 rebounds per contest, while also posting 20 assists, 14 steals, and 13 blocks. He had made 40.5% of his field goals (39.0% 3-PT) and 94.4% of his free throws. The senior accounted for a season-best 17 points in a February 19 matchup with Bethel (Kan.).

Watkins was seventh inside the conference in total three-pointers and eighth in three-pointers per game.

Park garnered a pair of top awards as Ernest Myles III was tabbed as the Heart Defensive POY, while the Pirates’ Rod Marthone collected Newcomer of the Year accolades. Robert Fry of Culver-Stockton received the Freshman of the Year award.