UMHB was represented with three of the West Division’s top honors, one spot on the All-ASC team, two first-team slots on the All-West squad, one on the West’s second team and one on the division’s All-Defensive team.
Tilmon Gaddy, a junior forward out of Harker Heights, was named the West’s Newcomer of the Year and voted to the All-ASC team - which encompasses both divisions.
Gaddy, who was also a first-team All-West selection one day after earning MVP honors at the conference tournament, averaged 15.3 points and six rebounds for the 14th-ranked Crusaders (25-3), who have advanced to the NCAA Division III Tournament for the second straight year.
Gaddy also had 41 assists and 39 steals, and shot 51 percent from the field and 79 percent from the free-throw line.
Ryan Burgart, a senior post from Huntsville, shared the West’s Defensive Player of the Year honor, was a second-team All-West pick and was named to the division’s All-Defensive team.
He averaged 10.1 points and seven rebounds, and totaled 53 blocks.
Junior guard Jason Wagner, a San Antonio MacArthur product, was voted to the West’s first team. He averaged 10.8 points, with 29 assists and 30 steals despite playing in only 21 of the Crusaders’ 28 games because of injury.
Coach Ken DeWeese, who guided the Crusaders to their first ASC championship in his 10th season at UMHB, was named Coach of the Year in the West. UMHB, which set a school record for single-season wins, will open the NCAA Tournament on Friday against Fontbonne (Mo.) in Jackson, Miss.
Hardin-Simmons senior post Mardochee Jean was named the West’s Player of the Year and shared the defensive MVP honor with Burgart.
Sul Ross State wing Roderick Gunter was voted the division’s Freshman of the Year.
