Tuesday, February 28, 2006

SOUTH ATLANTIC CONFERENCE MEN’S BASKETBALL AWARDS ANNOUNCED

PC’s Collins & Ballenger named to All-SAC squads

PC’s Herren named SAC Scholar-Athlete of the Year for Men’s Basketball

ROCK HILL, S.C.  –  Presbyterian College’s senior duo of Johann Collins and Tray Ballenger have been named to the 2006 All-South Atlantic Conference teams announced today by league officials. In addition, PC’s Grant Herren was named the league’s Scholar-Athlete of the Year for men’s basketball. 

Collins, a 6-11, 225-pound center from Raleigh, N.C. (Christian Faith Center), earned first team All-SAC honors after starting all 30 games this season for the Blue Hose and averaging a team-best 13.1 ppg, to go along with 6.4 rpg, and1.0 apg. In addition, he shot 55.8% from the floor and 77.2% from the free throw line. Collins moved into elite company in program history this season when he became the 15th player under head coach Gregg Nibert’s tenure to score his 1,000th career point, a milestone he reached against Mars Hill College on February 4.

He enters the 2006 Food Lion SAC Tournament with 1,106 career points.

Ballenger, a 6-3, 210-pound forward from Wellford, S.C. (Byrnes HS), earned second team All-SAC honors after starting all 30 games and finishing second on the team in scoring at 10.7 ppg. He averaged 4.3 rpg, 2.1 apg, while shooting 48.3% from the floor, 33.3% from three-point range, and 57.1% from the free throw line. Ballenger joined Collins by becoming the 16th player under head coach Gregg Nibert’s tenure to score 1,000th career points, a milestone he reached against Wingate University on February 8.

He enters the 2006 Food Lion SAC Tournament with 1,045 career points. Ballenger earned SAC Player of the Week honors once this season and is arguably one of the top perimeter defenders in the league.

Herren, a 6-7, 225-pound junior forward from Oviedo, Florida (Oviedo HS), has a 3.36 GPA as a business administration major with a concentration in accounting. He is a two-year letterwinner and has started 76 of 83 games during his career. He is third on the team in scoring (8.9 ppg) this season and second in rebounding (5.9 rpg). He was named to the 2005 Disney Tip-Off Classic All-Tournament Team.

Herren has been named to the Presbyterian Dean’s List two semesters and the SAC Commissioner’s Honor Roll. He is a member of Presbyterian College Accounting Club.

In the community, Herren has volunteered with fund-raising projects for Hurricane Katrina relief and Make-A-Wish. He also is a mentor and role model at Clinton Boys Home, is a member of the Presbyterian Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and participates in local youth basketball clinics.

In the community, Herren has volunteered with fund-raising projects for Hurricane Katrina relief and Make-A-Wish. He also is a mentor and role model at Clinton Boys Home, is a member of the Presbyterian Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and participates in local youth basketball clinics.

The SAC Scholar Athlete Award is presented to one athlete from each of the SAC’s 14 sports programs and represents a combination of athletic skill, academic achievement, and participation in community service and leadership roles.

2006 MEN’S BASKETBALL ALL-CONFERENCE TEAMS AND AWARD RECIPIENTS