Five Named All-Heart, Two Receive Top Honors
William Penn University Athletics
by Wade Steinlage
Oskaloosa–A total of five Statesmen claimed postseason laurels as the all-Heart of America Athletic Conference men’s basketball teams were announced by the league office Monday.
Dominique Shaw (Sr., Lufkin, Texas, Wellness and Recreation) and Terrell Thompson (Sr., Indianapolis, Ind., Wellness and Recreation) were chosen for the first team, while JC Washington (Sr., Houston, Texas, Sociology) picked up a second-team nod. Corbin Medley (Sr., Rogersville, Mo., General Accounting) and Aakim Saintil (Sr., West Orange, N.J., Business Management) also received honorable mentions.
The quintet guided WPU to a 26-3 regular-season record, including a 16-3 mark in the Heart. The navy and gold won the regular season crown and secured an automatic berth to the NAIA Division I National Championships. They will look to win their Heart Tournament crown for the third-straight year in the upcoming days.
Thompson won the Newcomer of the Year accolade as well, while Washington brought home the Defensive Player of the Year award. It is the fifth-consecutive campaign in which William Penn has had the conference’s NOY on its roster.
All five cagers are first-time recipients, and the five honors tie for the most in program history (2013-2014 and 2015-2016). A total of 48 student-athletes garnered accolades, including 10 on the first and second squads and 28 on the honorable-mention list.
Shaw currently averages a team-high 19.2 points in addition to 6.8 rebounds; he has also posted 69 assists, a squad-best 37 steals, and four blocks. The senior is shooting 48.5% from the field, 70.0% at the line, and 35.4% from deep.
Shaw is currently fourth in the Heart in both scoring average and three-pointers made (75), eighth in rebounding average, defensive rebounds per game (5.2), and double-doubles (6), and 10th in field-goal percentage.
Thompson is second for the Statesmen with 17.5 points, while also averaging 4.4 rebounds per contest. The senior is best on WPU’s crew with 5.5 assists per game, and has also managed 32 steals and seven blocks. He is currently hitting 51.1% of his shots (35.1% 3-PT) and 68.0% of his free throws.
Thompson tops the league in total assists (159), is second in assist average, sixth in field-goal percentage, and eighth in scoring average. He is one of just three players to have produced a triple-double.
Washington is averaging a double-double of 12.0 points and a WPU-best 10.0 rebounds. He has also produced 76 assists, a team-high 51 blocks, and 22 steals. The senior owns a 56.8% field-goal clip.
Washington, who has also notched a triple-double, has more than earned his Defensive POY as he is best in the Heart in rebound average, total rebounds (270), total blocks, and blocks per game (1.9). He is also first in double-doubles (14) and offensive rebounds per game (3.4) and third in defensive rebounds per game (6.6).
Medley is currently averaging 9.9 points and 2.6 rebounds per outing; he also has 47 assists, 16 steals, and four blocks. Up to this date, the senior is making 40.4% of his attempts (team-high 38.1% 3-PT) and is also best in the navy and gold at the line (86.0%).
Saintil has been off the hardwood quite a bit with injuries, but when on the court (played in just 17 games with 16 starts), he is averaging 13.4 points and 2.8 rebounds. The senior has tallied 69 assists, 11 steals, and one block as well.
Heart Player of the Year honors were given to Brian Egejuru of Central Methodist, while Culver-Stockton’s Bryson London was named Freshman of the Year. CMU Head Coach Jeff Sherman was tabbed as Coach of the Year by his peers.
