Tuesday, March 11, 2003

PC’s Chuck Rayford named to the 2002-03 Daktronics South Atlantic Men’s Basketball All-Region Team

CLINTON, SC — The 2002-03 Daktronics NCAA Division II Men’s Basketball South Atlantic All-Region teams was announced today. The South Atlantic Region was loaded with exceptional talent this season as is evident in one of the closest voting in recent memory.

Seven members of the 11-member All-region teams are participating in this weekend’s NCAA South Atlantic Regional, a sign of how deep the talent pool is in this region. Each of the three conferences in the South Atlantic Region was well represented on the all-region teams. The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) had five selections while the Peach Belt Conference (PBC) and the South Atlantic Conference (SAC) had three selections apiece.

Three members of the first team will play this weekend. Leading the way is Jed Bedford (Columbus State University), Marco Spears (Johnson C. Smith University), and Tim Washington (Bowie State University). Rounding out the first team was Djuan Hankins (Wingate University) and Patrick Pope (Saint Augustine’s College).

Rayford, a 6-6-1 senior guard from Greenville, S.C., led the Presbyterian College Blue Hose to a 25-8 overall record, fourth place finish in the SAC regular season, a runner-up finish for the 2003 Food Lion/SAC Tournament title, and a trip to the NCAA Division II South Atlantic Regional Tournament. He averaged 14.1 ppg, 3.6 apg, 4.4 rpg, 1.3 spg while shooting 46.4% from the field, 34.7% from three-point land, and 81.3% from the free throw line en route to first team All-SAC honors. In the SAC Tournament, Rayford averaged 18.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg, and 2.7 apg while shooting 80.0% from the free throw line as he was named to the SAC All-Tournament team for his effort.  In the championship game, Rayford scored a game-high 22 points as the Blue Hose fell 71-62 to Lenoir-Rhyne College.

Rayford has also made his mark on the SAC all-time scoring list this year. He is currently in sole possession of third place in SAC history in career scoring with 1,833 points and needs five points to pass former Mars Hill College standout, Lamont Jones (1991-95) for second place. Jones tallied 1,835 career points. Rayford moved into a very elite group in SAC history this season. He became only the fourth player in SAC history to tally 1,500 points, 300 assists, 300 rebounds, and 100 steals in their career. He enters the NCAA Tournament with 1,833 points, 354 assists, 430 rebounds, and 153 steals.

All five members of the first team will go on to the Daktronics All-American ballot which will be announced later this month. 

The following is the 2002-03 Daktronics South Atlantic All-Region first and second teams: