Lone Star Conference basketball teams are off to a good start, with 11 squads still undefeated. Action continues over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend with non-conference games.
The LSC men have a 37-13 overall record so far this season, including a 17-8 mark in the South Division and 20-5 in the North. In the NCAA South Central Region, the men’s teams are currently 11-5 combined versus Heartland Conference teams and 4-2 against the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA).
The LSC women are 21-21 overall, with a 7-11 mark in the South and 14-10 in the North this season. In the NCAA South Central Region, the women’s teams are currently 13-14 combined versus Heartland Conference squads and 3-2 against the MIAA.
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
NORTH MEN’S OFFENSIVE
Dauntae Williams, University of Central Oklahoma, SR, Guard, Missouri City, Texas, Missouri City HS
Williams led UCO to a perfect (3-0) week as the No. 18-ranked Bronchos improved to 5-0 on the year, averaging 17.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.3 steals a game. The senior guard scored 19 of his game-high 24 points in the second half and added four rebounds, three assists and two steals in an 86-78 home win over NAIA’s No. 2-ranked Southern Nazarene. Williams scored a game-high 19 points with four 3-pointers, four assists and three steals in a 95-75 rout of Mid-America Christian on the first day of SWOSU Classic and then had eight points, four boards, two assists and two steals while playing just 15 minutes of a 92-50 drubbing of Arlington Baptist the next day.
NORTH MEN’S DEFENSIVE
Brent Friday, University of Central Oklahoma, JR, Guard, Oklahoma City, Okla., Putnam City North HS
Friday led UCO’s defensive efforts as the Bronchos won their home opener and swept two games at the SWOSU Classic to remain unbeaten at 5-0. The junior guard averaged 9.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.7 steals and 1.7 blocked shots a game in wins over NAIA’s No. 2-ranked Southern Nazarene, Mid-America Christian and Arlington Baptist. Friday had nine points, four rebounds (three defensive), two blocks and a steal in an 86-78 win over SNU, eight points, five boards (two defensive), three steals and a block in a 95-75 rout of MACU and finished with 11 points, three rebounds (two defensive), four steals and two blocks in just 15 minutes of a 92-50 trouncing of ABC.
SOUTH MEN’S OFFENSIVE
Corin Henry, Tarleton State University, SR, Guard, Randallstown, Md., New Town HS
Henry averaged 21.5 points and 6.5 assists per game in the 2010 Texan Tip-Off Classic as he was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player after leading the Texans to two victories. He averaged .565 from the floor and .429 from the three-point arc while also pulling down five rebounds in the two games. In Friday’s win over Texas-Permian Basin, Henry tied a career-high with 29 points while recording four assists and three steals. He shot .571 from the field and .667 from the arc (2-3) while also going 11-15 in free throws (.733). On Saturday in the win over Newman, Henry was one assist away from a double-double with 14 points and nine assists. He had two steals as well. He shot .556 from the floor and was perfect (three-of-three) from the charity stripe. He had a 1.9 assist to turnover ratio and averaged his 21.5 points per game in just 30.5 minutes played per game.
SOUTH MEN’S DEFENSIVE
Marcus Ford, Texas A&M University - Kingsville, JR, Forward, Colorado Springs, Colo., Mesa Ridge HS
Ford generally has to guard the opponent’s top scoring threat. He held his opponents to 30.8 percent shooting from the floor and plays an important role in the team defense with his shot blocking abilities. He had 10 blocks on the week, including a career high five in a win against Texas Lutheran. He had 12 defensive rebounds and three blocks in a 56-53 loss to St. Edward’s. He led the Hoggie defensive effort that allowed just 56.0 points per game and a 36.7 field goal percentage.
NORTH WOMEN’S OFFENSIVE
Sumiya Darden, Southwestern Oklahoma State University, JR, Center, Fresno, Calif., Sunnyside HS
Darden averaged 21 points and 9.5 rebounds to lead Southwestern Oklahoma State University to a 3-0 start including two wins last week. The junior college transfer from Fresno City Community College had 30 points and 14 rebounds in SWOSU’s 93-82 victory over previously unbeaten Texas-Permian Basin.
NORTH WOMEN’S DEFENSIVE
Kayla Weaver, Texas Woman’s University, SR, Forward, Aquilla, Texas, Aquilla HS
Weaver was the team leader on defense and helped the Pioneers capture the 2010 Marriott Champions Circle Pioneer Premiere. She led the team in rebounds with 13 and defensive rebounds with 11. With Weaver’s leadership, TWU held the two opponents to 50.5 points per game and .352 shooting percentage including .056 from the three-point range. She was perfect 14-14 from the free-throw line in the two games and helped the Pioneers set a new school record with 17-for-17 free-throws as a team against UC-Colorado Springs. Weaver also led the team in scoring against UCCS with 20.
SOUTH WOMEN’S OFFENSIVE
Shelby Adamson, Tarleton State University, JR, Guard, Rockwall, Texas, Rockwall HS
Adamson had an outstanding performance in the TexAnns’ 74-64 victory over 20th ranked Lubbock Christian Saturday, Nov. 18th in Wisdom Gym. Adamson scored a career-high 26 points on 7-of-10 shooting from the field and 11-of-12 shooting from the charity stripe. She also grabbed four rebounds and dished out two assists.
SOUTH WOMEN’S DEFENSIVE
Lindsey Mahone, Angelo State University, SO, Forward, Corpus Christi, Texas, Mary Carroll HS
Mahone was excellent in her Rambelle debut as she totaled 12 points, six rebounds and three steals in the ‘Belles’ 92-63 victory over Texas A&M International. Mahone, a sophomore transfer from Eastern Michigan, came back two days later and tallied nine points and nine boards to help ASU improve to 2-0 on the season.