Friday, March 7, 2003

2002-03 SOUTH ATLANTIC CONFERENCE MEN'S BASKETBALL ALL-CONFERENCE TEAMS AND AWARD RECIPIENTS ANNOUNCED

Hickory, N.C.--The 2002-2003 South Atlantic Conference men’s basketball All-Conference teams and award recipients were announced during the tournament basketball awards banquet Friday night at the Holiday Inn Select in Hickory, N.C.

Approximately 275 players, coaches, media, support staff and special guests attended this year’s function, which tips off the final rounds of the tournament, to be played Saturday and Sunday, March 8-9, in the CVCC Multipurpose Facility.

Lenoir-Rhyne College veteran coach John Lentz, was named Men’s Coach of the Year. Lentz, who recently won his 300th game, guided the Bears to a share of the conference championship. He wins the award for the third time in his career.

Carson-Newman College’s Kyle Gribble was the Men’s Player of the Year. He ranked among the league leaders in scoring, rebounding, assists, steals, free throw percentage and 3-point shooting.

The men’s Freshman of the Year is Michael Drum of Presbyterian College. Drum joined a veteran team, but quickly worked his way into the starting lineup. A selection on the All-Freshman team, he averaged 11 points and 5.3 rebounds per game.

Co-champions Carson-Newman, Lenoir-Rhyne and Wingate each placed two players on the men’s All-Conference team. Mars Hill also had two representatives. Tusculum, Catawba, Presbyterian and Newberry all had one representative.

Numerous players were presented with the SAC Senior Participant Award, given to players who are competing in their final season of SAC play, and the Statistical Champion Award, presented to players and teams leading the SAC in various statistical categories at the end of the regular season.

COACH OF THE YEAR: John Lentz, Lenoir-Rhyne
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Kyle Gribble, Carson-Newman
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR: Michael Drum, Presbyterian
SAC SCHOLAR-ATHLETE: Jerome Ramsey, Mars Hill

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