Joplin High School teacher/coach Tony Witt takes head basketball post at McAuley

(From Joplin Area Catholic Schools)

Joplin Area Catholic Schools (JACS) welcomes back 2000 graduate Tony Witt. Beginning with the 2020-21 academic session, Witt will serve as the science teacher in St. Peter Middle School and as the head boys basketball coach for McAuley Catholic High School.

“Coach Witt brings the knowledge, experience, and leadership that it takes to be successful both in the classroom and on the court,” said Dr. Emily Yoakam, principal at St. Peter Middle School and McAuley Catholic High School.

“We are thrilled to not only hire someone of his caliber and credentials, but also to welcome this Warrior back home.”

Witt holds a Bachelor of Science in chemistry and a Master of Science in education from Missouri State University. He currently serves as the assistant girls’ basketball coach and the high school chemistry and physical science teacher at Joplin High School (JHS). He has held both positions since 2018. 

Prior to teaching and coaching at JHS, Witt held the positions of chemistry teacher, head golf coach, and assistant varsity boys coach for Diamond R-IV.

“Tony brings 13 years of experience as an assistant coach from three different programs,” said McAuley Catholic’s Athletic Director Mike Howard. “I couldn’t think of a better place to start his head coaching journey than right here at his alma mater!”

During his four years at McAuley, Witt had a passion for athletics and is part of McAuley Catholic’s 1,000-point club for basketball with 1,046 points. During his junior year of high school, he was named 1st team all-conference, 1st team all-district, and 3rd team all-area. As a senior at McAuley, he was named 1st team all-district, 1st team-all area, conference player of the year, and 2nd team all-state. Witt played one year of collegiate ball before breaking his foot.



“To get the chance to return to a place that had an incredible impact on my life is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity,” Witt said. “I consider it an honor and a privilege to teach and coach in the same hallways where I was once a student and a player. I want to thank Dr. Yoakam and Coach Howard for believing in me, and whether they know it or not, they are turning this kid’s dream into reality.”

Robert Corn, Tongula Givens Steddum named to MIAA Hall of Fame

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Robert Corn and Tongula Givens Steddum will be part of the 2020 MIAA Hall of Fame Class, the organization announced today.

Corn and Givens Steddum are part of a group of 11 individuals and five teams to be inducted in this year's class. The time and date for the induction ceremony are still yet to be determined.

As a basketball player, Robert Corn was a tenacious defender who provided the leadership that enabled Missouri Southern to reach the quarterfinals of the NAIA Basketball Championships in 1978. Co-captain of the 1977-78 team, Corn helped the Lions finish 27-9 and capture both the CSIC and NAIA District 16 championships.

But that performance as a player pales to what the Benton, Ill., native accomplished as coach of the Lions. Corn retired in 2014 following 25 years as the head coach at his alma mater, including a 1999-00 season that saw the Lions finish with a 30-3 record and an Elite Eight win in the NCAA D-II Tournament in Louisville, Kentucky. Corn left the program as the winningest coach with 413 career wins. He currently is third-best in all-time wins by a men's basketball coach in the MIAA. He guided the Lions to two MIAA regular-season titles (1999-2000 and 2010-2011), as well as three MIAA Tournament Titles (1993, 2000, 2014). He coached the team to five NCAA Tournament Appearances in 1993, 2000, 2011, 2012, and 2014.

Corn went on to work in the Development Office at Southern following his retirement as a coach and retired from that position last year. Corn and his wife, Cindy have two sons, Rob and Scott and reside in Joplin.

Givens Steddum last competed in track & field as a Missouri Southern State University student-athlete in 1995, yet her name continues to dominate the school's history of track & field. Givens still holds many of the top 10 outdoor marks in both the triple jump and the long jump. Indoors, Givens has many of the top ten marks ever in the long and triple jump. She is the only female in school history to surpass 41 feet in the outdoor triple jump and one of two to surpass 20 feet in the long jump.

Givens Steddum was an eight-time All-America at MSSU, including national championships in the triple jump in 1994 (outdoor) and 1995 (indoor). She collected three MIAA high-point individual awards during her Southern career and held each Southern record in the triple jump and long jump at the time of her graduation and held the MIAA meet record for the outdoor triple jump until 2018.

In 1993, Givens Steddum was named MSSU's Female Athlete of the Year and claimed the honor again in 1995, the same year she also won the E.O. & Virginia Humphrey Award, given to the institution's outstanding student-athlete of the year.

In the 2003 indoor season, she had the third-best U.S. women's triple jump mark and the eighth-best long jump. Givens Steddum trained at MSSU in 2000 and went on to qualify and compete in the 2000 Olympic Trials. She also qualified for the 2004 Olympic Trials.

Givens Steddum and her husband Chris, have a son, Colby and reside in Dallas, Texas.

With Corn and Givens' induction, Southern has 11 individuals and one team in the MIAA Hall of Fame.

MSSU women's golf signs community college transfer

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Missouri Southern golf coach Mike Wheeler has announced the addition of Madison Saenz to the 2020-21 women's roster. Saenz will have two more years of eligibility left.

Saenz is a 5-5 transfer from McLennan Community College where she earned Academic All-Conference honors in 2020, as well as being named a conference athlete of the week.

A native of El Paso, Texas, Saenz prepped at Eastwood High School where she was a four-year letter winner on the golf team, while lettering three years in volleyball.

Saenz helped her team to three-straight District Championships, while being named All-District twice and All-City as a junior. She was a member of the All-City Academic Team for both Volleyball and Golf. Saenz finished third in her District Championships in 2018.

She helped the volleyball team to three-straight District Championships, while also earning All-District honors in volleyball.

Saenz is the daughter of Jackie and Pete Saenz and is a biology/pre-med major at Southern.

"Madison brings a lot of experience at a high level," Wheeler said. "Coach (Derek) Skaggs and I believe that 2020-21 will be a breakout year for her. She is a competitor and joins Kylie Carnes and Maggie Moore to give us three juniors for our third year of play."

Crowder College to hold first esports tournament

(From Crowder College)

Crowder College will host its first Esports tournament May 1-3 at 6pm. The tournament will feature one-on-one competitions with the semi-finals and finals to be live streamed on May 3.

The game will be Super Smash Brothers Ultimate on Nintendo Switch which requires online membership as well as online access. 

Registration is free and open to anyone, but those under 13 need an adult to assist with registration. To register go to battlefly.com/crowder-college-esports. 

Limited space is available thought this would be a way to make people aware of the event and provide an activity for those at home.

Prizes will be awarded to the top two finishers with the winner earning free tuition for 3 credit hours and runner-up earning Crowder Bookstore gift card.

Esports was added to the Crowder’s NJCAA programs this year. Esports is new to the college and provides an opportunity for students to compete with other colleges across the country.

MSSU women add junior college transfer, former Division I player Amaya Johns

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

The Missouri Southern women's basketball program has announced the signing of a former Division I athlete and junior college transfer Amaya Johns.

"We are extremely excited to have Amaya join the Lion Family. She comes from a great family and is the type of student athlete we want in our program," said Head Coach Ronnie Ressel.

"She extremely versatile player in that she can step out and shoot the three or go inside and score around the basket. She is a great addition to the recruiting class we are bringing in."

Johns, a 5-foot-10 shooting guard from Plainfield, Ill., registered 17.8 points per game as a sophomore for the Plainsmen of Johns of Frank Phillips College in Berger, Texas.

She finished the 2019-20 campaign by shooting 44.6 percent (131-of-307) in 28 minutes per game as she played in 29 games. From beyond the arc, Johns was 36-of-112 (32.1 percent) and she hit 81-of-99 (81.8 percent) from the charity stripe. A two-time Western Junior College Athletic Conference (WJCAC) Region V Player of the Week (Dec. 3 and Dec. 17, 2019), Johns was named WJCAC All Conference and landed on the Presidents List for obtaining a 4.0 grade point average.

Prior to attending Frank Phillips, Johns attended Purdue-Fort Wayne (NCAA Division I) in Fort Wayne, Ind. where she played five games and was on the 2018-19 Summit League Academic Honor Roll.

In high school, Johns set a school record for free throws made in a season with 71 while earning All-Area and Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Honorable Mention, All-State accolades. She was a 2018 graduate of Oswego East High School as a member of the Wolves after transferring from Plainfield North and a member of the Tigers.

She is the daughter of Jill and Jemal Johns and intends to major in pre-physical therapy at Southern.

MSSU athletics focus of latest Newsmakers program

(From Southern News Service)

Missouri Southern athletics are the focus of the latest “virtual” edition of “Newsmakers” on KGCS-TV.

Jared Bruggeman, MSSU director of athletics, Justin Maskus, MSSU athletic media relations director and Bryan Schiding, MSSU director of track & field and cross country - join Judy Stiles, host and KGCS general manager, to talk about athletic operations in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.







Topics also include a follow-up to student-athlete success stories from the year, and Schiding’s recent honor of being named the NCAA Division II Men’s Coach of the Year for Track and Field and Cross Country.

The show will air nightly the week of April 20 at 5:30 p.m. – and is currently posted on the station’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UB9aXy90-b4.

KGCS programming can be seen on channel 21. It is also available on regional cable television systems such as Sparklight, Mediacom and Suddenlink Communications. The station operates as a service of the Department of Communication at Missouri Southern State University.

Department of Conservation cancels kids' fishing day event at Roaring River State Park

(From the Missouri Department of Conservation)

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) announces that kids’ fishing day events at the state’s trout parks have been cancelled this year amid concerns over the coronavirus (COVID-19).

The kids’ fishing day events cancelled include: May 2 at Montauk State Park near Licking and Bennett Spring State Park in Lebanon and May 16 at Roaring River State Park near Cassville and Maramec Spring Park in St. James.

Missouri Southern Athletic Director: We will be back

(From MSSU Sports)

Lion Pride –

As I write this letter, our nation, no, the world, is in uncharted waters that no one had ever dreamed of, nor prepared for.

As the collegiate world began the journey it did a month ago to make the unprecedented decision to cancel the finale of winter championships and all of the spring competitions, it was clear the main focus should be on the health and safety of not only our student-athletes and staff, but also for that of the public, as well.

I want to take this time to assure you that while we’d all love to be experiencing the ping of the bats, the hitting of the pads of spring football, the wonder that is the track and field student-athlete in competition, or the joy that is a simple game of golf, those things have taken a back seat to the health and safety of everyone.

I’m sure we were all ready to watch our men’s basketball or track and field teams perform at the NCAA Championships and make a title run, but again it’s times like these that bring life into focus.


With that said, we would like to reflect on the year that was and the opportunities that are afforded us. After taking care of our families, I think we can look back at the many accomplishments that our teams and student-athletes have had this year. 

I’d like to share some of those with you and I hope this helps to put a little sunshine on an otherwise cloudy situation that is facing all of us.

· Athletic Department GPA over 3.00 for fourth-straight semester.

· 188 student-athletes with a 3.00 GPA or higher and 10 with a perfect 4.00 GPA 

· 23 MIAA Athletes of the Week throughout the year

· Two National Players of the Week

· 55 All-MIAA, 24 All-Region and multiple All-American honors (not including the spring sports where it looked like we would have had tremendous success, as well)

· Gidieon Kimutai/Jamie Burnham named MIAA and NCAA Central Region Men’s Cross Country Athlete and Coach of the Year

· MIAA Men’s Indoor Track and Field Coaching Staff of the Year

· Bryan Schiding Named Men’s Indoor Track and Field Regional and National Coach of the Year

· 2019 MIAA Men’s Cross Country and Men’s Indoor Track and Field Team Champions

· Jason Francis named Men’s Indoor Track and Field Regional Coach of the Year

· Rajindra Campbell and Emily Presley named Men’s and Women’s Indoor Field Athletes of the Year

· Numerous records were broken, including Cam Martin setting the Men’s Basketball single-game scoring record (54), Elyjah Clark extending his career three-point record (365), Zoe Campbell setting the single-game, single-season and career blocked shots record, while track and field broke more school records than I can mention. 

· Zach Parish became the MIAA’s all-time baseball strikeout king. 

· Student-athletes and staff participating in more than 5,000 hours of community service

· Numerous facility improvements including a complete remodel of the weight room inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center and an indoor golf training facility

In closing, we will be back, and we will get past these days of uncertainty, to roar toward what I believe is a bright future for our University. We are one family and one pride. We are strong and we will prevail.

Jared Bruggeman

Missouri Southern State University Athletic Director

MSHSAA cancels all remaining postseason events

(From the Missouri State High School Activities Association)

Following Governor Parson’s announcement this afternoon, of in-person school closure for the remainder of the school year, the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) announces the cancellation of all remaining post-season events for the 2019-20 school year.

“This decision is very difficult for all involved especially given the impact it will have on our students, parents, coaches, teachers, and administrators throughout the state,” said MSHSAA Executive Director Dr. Kerwin Urhahn. 

“We thank all of the participants, the coaches/directors/advisors, the administrations, the parents, and everyone else who has dedicated tremendous amounts of time, passion, and effort to these events.” 

The biggest impact of this decision will be felt by the seniors, many of whom have exhausted their eligibility without taking the field, court or course. 

“To our senior participants- we thank you for everything you have done for your schools and communities and wish you the very best in your bright futures,” Urhahn continued. 

“While this is a difficult ending, the lessons you’ve learned and friendships you’ve made through high school activities will last your lifetime.” 

“The MSHSAA office thanks everyone involved for their patience and understanding throughout this process,” said Urhahn. 

The MSHSAA staff looks forward to the resumption of high school activities during the 2020-21 school year, and will continue work on those events at this time.

Department of Conservation extends waiver on fishing permits through April 15

(From the Missouri Department of Conservation)

Missouri residents and nonresidents whose fishing privileges are not otherwise suspended may fish without needing a permit or daily trout tag through April 15.

Seasons, methods, and limits still apply and will be enforced. Learn more at mdc.mo.gov/newsroom/mdc-temporarily-waive-fishing-permits-starting-friday.

The James Foundation has closed Maramec Spring Park in St. James to the public for trout fishing and all other activities until further notice. Missouri’s three other public trout parks remain open for day use and fishing: Bennett Spring State Park in Lebanon, Montauk State Park near Licking, and Roaring River State Park near Cassville.

Anglers will need to have a fishing permit, unless exempt, after April 15. Trout anglers will also need required fishing permits after April 15 but will not need a daily trout tag at the three open trout parks until further notice. Trout anglers fishing other areas around the state, including lakes and streams not at a trout park, will need both a fishing permit and trout permit after April 15.

MDC has suspended daily trout stocking at all trout parks along with most other fish stocking in waters around the state until further notice.

MDC has also cancelled the kids’ fishing day events at the trout parks, including May 2 at Montauk State Park and Bennett Spring State Park, and May 16 at Roaring River State Park and Maramec Spring Park.

Missouri Southern volleyball adds five recruits

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Missouri Southern volleyball coach Kalie Mader has announced the addition of five newcomers for the 2020 season.

Joining the Lions will be a trio of high school student-athletes, as well as a pair of junior college transfers. Both junior college transfers come to the Lions via Fort Scott Community College. Sophie Mader and Abbie Casper will transfer in with a pair of years left in eligibility.

Casper is a 5-6 defensive specialist that hails from Pittsburg, Kan. She was an All-Conference and All-District pick, while helping the Greyhounds to a sixth-place finish at the NJCAA National Tournament as a sophomore, earning All-Tournament honors in the process. This past season, Casper averaged 5.65 digs per set, while playing in all 38 matches for Fort Scott.

Casper prepped at Pittsburg High School for coach Megan Mantooth where she was a four-year letter winner for the Purple Dragons. She was a four-time All-Conference selection while also earning letters in basketball and track and field.

Casper is the daughter of Kim and Tim Casper. Her father, Tim, played baseball at Missouri Southern. Casper plans to major in kinesiology.

"I am so grateful to have Abbie joining our team," Mader said. "Her hard work and competitive spirit has already made impact in our gym."

***

Sophie Mader is a 6-0 setter from Nickerson, Kan. She was an All-Conference and All-District selection for the Greyhounds, while also picking up All-American honors as a sophomore when she helped the team to a sixth-place finish at the NJCAA National Tournament. Last season at FSCC, Mader averaged 10.93 assists per set, while playing in all 38 matches.

Mader prepped at Nickerson High School where she was a four-year letter winner for coach Deedra Emel and the Panthers. A three-time All-Conference pick for Nickerson, Mader picked up first-team All-State honors as a senior. She helped the Panthers to a third-place finish at the Kansas State Tournament as a junior and a runner-up finish as a senior.

The younger sister of Lions' head coach Kalie Mader, Sophie is the daughter of Chris and Vikki Mader and plans to major in psychology at Southern.

"Being able to coach my sister is a very unique opportunity," Mader said. "But I am most excited for is to have her volleyball IQ and growth mindset in our gym on a daily basis."

***
Kaitlyn Creek is a 5-11 outside hitter from Stockton, Mo., where she prepped at Stockton High School for coach Amanda Walton. A four-year letter winner for the Tigers, Creek also participated in softball and track and field in high school.

Creek was a three-time All-Conference selection, while also earning All-District honors three times. In her career, Creek registered 1,265 kills, while picking up a season high of 529 kills and 406 digs. She has a match-high of 30 digs, as well. Creeek was an AVCA Missouri Volleyball Player of the Week, while also earning a spot on the Under Armour All-American Watchlist. As a softball player, Creek was a two-time All-District selection.

Creek is the daughter of Kelly Creek and plans to major in biology at Southern.

"Kaitlyn is a well-rounded and skilled player," Mader said. "She brings a skill set and competitive mind that will benefit everyone."

***

Kylah Carter is a 5-10 outside hitter from Houston, Texas where she prepped at Westside High School for coach Andre King and the Wolves. Carter led her team in kills for three years (sophomore through senior seasons) while also being named the District Player of the Year as a junior. A four-year starter at Westside, she was a captain on the varsity for three seasons.

Carter was a member of the National Honor Society where she ranked in the top 10 percent of her graduating class. The daughter of LaTreshia and Dion Carter, Kylah plans to major in pre-med and biology at Southern.

"Kylah is a very dynamic athlete but what excites me most about Kylah is her drive and her heart," Mader said. "Our gym will be a better place because of her."

Armyni Perales is a 5-10 outside hitter that hails from Houston, Texas and prepped at Bellaire High School. A four-year letter winner for the Cardinals and coach Gloria Clark, Perales was a four-time All-Conference selection, finishing up her career as the conference Player of the Year as a senior.

The daughter of Esteban Perales, Armyni plans to major in pre-med and biology at Southern.

"Armyni is a very skilled player," Mader said. "We are excited to have her experience and composure in the gym. Her presence will have an immediate impact."

Former MSSU All-American Brandon Williams named to Division 2 All-Decade Team

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Former Missouri Southern All-American Brandon Williams has been named as part of the D2football.com All-Decade Team, the web site announced recently.

Williams played for the Lions from 2008-12 and was selected in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens.

Williams was the highest-ever drafted player from Missouri Southern surpassing the previous high of the fourth-round that Allen Barbre had in 2007 when he was selected by the Green Bay Packers.

Williams was a consensus All-American in 2012, and was named the Division II National Defensive Player of the Year by two different organizations. He was picked as an All-American by five different publications and at the time was just the third Division II player in the history of the sport to be named an All-American in three different seasons. He was a first-team All-MIAA selection and was the MIAA Defensive Player of the Year, while also being named the Daktronics Region Defensive Player of the Year.

Williams is the all-time sacks leader for the Lions and finished with 27 in his career at Missouri Southern. He had at least a half sack in all but three games as a senior and had a tackle for a loss in all but one game. He finished the season second on the team with 68 tackles, 31 solo, including 16.5 for a loss of 58 yards. He had 8.5 sacks for a loss of 39 yards, two pass break ups, eight quarterback hurries, five forced fumbles and one safety on the season and finished third in the MIAA in sacks and tackles for a loss, while ranking second in forced fumbles. Williams went on to participate in the Senior Bowl and also participated in the NFL's Scouting Combine.

Williams has went on to star for the Ravens turning into one of the NFL's top defensive linemen. Since Williams' arrival, the Baltimore run defense has ranked tops in the NFL in rushing yards per game and per carry allowed. He made his first pro start in 2014 and has started in every game he has played since. In 2018, Williams started in every game, en route to recording 34 tackles, and one sack and his first Pro Bowl appearance. In his career with the Ravens, Williams has 245 tackles, 6.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, six pass deflections and recorded a defensive touchdown in the 2017 season.

Williams is one of nine former MIAA players on the team. The complete list is below.

D2Football.com All-Decade Team
First Team

QB Jason Vander Laan Ferris State
RB Franklyn Quiteh Bloomsburg
RB Austin Ekeler Western Colorado
WR Jeff Janis Saginaw Valley
WR Billy Brown Shepherd
TE Adam Shaheen Ashland
OL Ryan Schraeder Valdosta State
OL Garth Heikkinen Minnesota Dulth
OL Ryan Jensen CSU-Pueblo
OL Amini Silatolu Midwestern State
OL Joe Long Wayne State (Mich.)

DL Matt Judon Grand Valley
DL Brandon Williams Missouri Southern
DL Jamie Meder Ashland
DL Matt Lonacre Northwest Missouri
LB Deon Lacey West Alabama
LB Nate Dreiling Pittsburg State
LB Connor Harris Lindenwood
DB Malcolm Butler West Alabama
DB Kyle Dugger Lenoir-Rhyne
DB Rontez Miles Cal U
DB Pierre Desir Lindenwood

K Greg Zuerlein Missouri Western
P Taylor Accardi Colorado School of Mines
AP John Brown Pittsburg State

Second Team

QB Luis Perez Texas A&M-Commerce
RB Cameron McDondle CSU-Pueblo
RB Ja'Quan Gardner Humboldt State
WR Brody Oliver Colorado Mines
WR Shane Zylstra Minnesota State
TE Brian Leonhardt Bemidji State
OL Alex Cappa Humboldt State
OL Eric Kush Cal U
OL Brandon Fusco Slippery Rock
OL Matt Armstrong Grand Valley
OL Trey Pipkens Sioux Falls

DL Marcus Martin Slippery Rock
DL Grover Stewart Albany State
DL Cedric Thornton Southern Arkansas
DL Zach Sieler Ferris State
LB Larry Dean Valdosta State
LB Adam Bighill Central Washington
LB Carlos Fields Winston-Salem
DB Janoris Jenkins North Alabama
DB Jeff Heath Saginaw Valley
DB Tavierre Thomas Ferris State
DB Brandon Dixon Northwest Missouri

K Dante Brown Fort Hays
P Randy Weich Wayne State (Neb.)
AP Deonte Harris Assumption

MSSU's Cam Martin named finalist for Bevo Francis Award

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)


Missouri Southern big man Cam Martin has been named a finalist for the Bevo Francis Award, presented by Small College Basketball to the Player of the Year.

Martin made the top 100, top 50 and top 25 lists and is one of the top 14 players according to Small College Basketball. The Bevo Francis Award consists of some of the top players from NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, NAIA Division I, NAIA Division II, USCAA and NCCAA.

The Clarence "Bevo" Francis Award is presented annually to the player who has had the finest overall season within Small College Basketball. 

Considerations will be season statistics and individual achievements, awards, personal character and team achievements. This is an incredibly prestigious award, as this award will only be given to one player within Small College Basketball per season.

Martin, a 6-9 native of Yukon, Okla., was named an All-American by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) as well as the Conference Commissioner's Association (CCA). Martin was a first-team All-Region pick by the NABC and the CCA, as well as a first-team All-MIAA selection this season and was a member of the All-MIAA Tournament Team.

This season, Martin led the MIAA in scoring, rebounds, defensive rebounds, double-double's free throw attempts, free throws made, total field goals made, total points and total rebounds, while ranking second in blocks, field goal percentage, total blocks and total field goal attempts. Martin averaged 24.1 points and 9.2 rebounds per game this year, while shooting 58 percent from the field and 81 percent from the free throw line. He had a team-high 46 blocks and was third on the team with 61 assists.

Martin currently has the MSSU top career scoring average at 23.3, while ranking third in career field goal percentage (.594) and fifth in free throw shooting (.815). Martin set the MSSU single-game scoring record at Missouri Western this season as he scored 54 points against the Griffons. The 54 points is the most scored in Division II this year and Cam is one of only four players to hit the 50-point plateau this year. Martin had two of the top-eight scoring games this season in Division II.

Martin is the only MSSU basketball player to ever score 700 or more points in a season twice and he is one of just two to ever score 700 points in a season. Martin currently has 1,466 points in his two-year career at MSSU and is third in NCAA Division II active career scoring average at 23.3, while ranking 6th in career double-double's and 11th in free throws made and attempted. Martin was named the MIAA's Player of the Week seven times this season.

Martin is one of three MIAA players to be named finalists as Northwest Missouri's Trevor Hudgins and Ryan Hawkins were both named finalists, as well.

The winner of this year's award will be announced at 6 pm on Monday (April 6) evening. A complete video of the finalists is available via the link above.