GAC BASKETBALL NOTEBOOK (PDF)
RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – With the majority of the non-conference contests completed in the inaugural season of Great American Conference basketball, the road to the championship begins this week with the start of conference play. The first week of the 2012 calendar year features eight conference double-headers to determine the early leader in the GAC standings.
The first calendar week of the 2012 season is also highlighted by the league’s sixth release of the GAC men’s and women’s basketball players of the week. This week, Henderson State’s Denzel Lyles (pictured right) and Harding’s Sierra Rollins (pictured left) have earned the accolades in an award period covering all games played from December 12-January 1.
GAC MEN’S BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK (HOLIDAY PERIOD)
Henderson State junior guard Denzel Lyles has been named the GAC Men’s Basketball Player of the Week for the holiday period after averaging just over 20 points per game, while shooting 54.5 percent from the field in a 2-1 week for the Reddies (5-5). The Columbus, Ohio native scored 62 points throughout HSU’s trio of non-conference games for an average of 20.7 points per outing. He started the period with a 31-point performance in a 95-92 win over St. Edward’s on the road on December 18. He was 12-of-17 from the field in that win and 5-of-5 from the free-throw line. The next day, Lyles tallied 14 points in 32 minutes of an 85-81 loss to Texas A&M-Commerce on a neutral court. After breaking for the Christmas holiday, Lyles ended the award period with 17 points in a 96-74 home win over Champion Baptist on December 30. In addition to his offensive numbers, Lyles collected seven steals throughout the three-game stretch. He becomes the first men’s basketball player at HSU to earn a GAC weekly honor.
GAC WOMEN’S BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK (HOLIDAY PERIOD)
Harding senior guard Sierra Rollins has been named the GAC Women’s Basketball Player of the Week for the holiday period after averaging 16.8 points and 9.3 rebounds per game in a 3-1 week for the Lady Bisons (7-3). The Angleton, Texas native scored a total of 67 points throughout the period and racked up 37 boards. She also helped out on the defensive side of the ball with nine steals. She started the period with a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds in a 66-56 win over St. Edward’s at home on December 17, and followed that performance with another double-double of 19 points and 11 rebounds in a 77-53 win over St. Mary’s the next day at Rhodes Field House. Following the break for the holiday, Rollins was limited to 12 points and six rebounds in a 62-52 loss to Texas Woman’s at the West Florida Holiday Classic on December 30. The next day, Rollins responded with another double-double, her fifth of the season, with 21 points and 10 rebounds in a 53-46 win over host West Florida. Other notable stats from the award period for Rollins include a free-throw percentage of 79.2 percent (19-of-24) and total of seven assists. Rollins becomes the first women’s basketball player at Harding to earn a GAC weekly honor.
NOTABLE NOMINEES
M – Chase Elliott, SR, G, SW Oklahoma State (29 points in a 75-71 win over Northeastern State)
M – Caprest Rhone, SR, G, East Central (19.5 ppg, 46.7 FG pct. in a 1-1 award period for the Tigers)
M – Johnie Davis, SR, G, Arkansas Tech (20 ppg, 5 rpg, 7 assists in a 3-1 award period for the Wonder Boys)
M – Rodney Hill, JR, G, Southern Arkansas (16 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 45.9 FG pct., 13 assists in a 3-1 award period for the Muleriders)
W – Destiny Smith, JR, F, Henderson State (13.5 ppg, 11 rpg in a 0-2 award period for the Lady Reddies)
W – Jessica Weatherford, JR, F, Arkansas Tech (18 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 60.0 FG pct. in a 2-0 award period for the Golden Suns)
The next GAC Basketball Weekly Report will be released on January 10.