Seniors Kyle Brown and Bershard Edwards earned USA South All-Conference awards as announced by the conference Thursday. Junior Zac Hill represented the Panthers on the All-Sportsmanship team.
"The Big Three! Bershard Kyle and Zac have meant so much to this team and program," said Coach Kendal Wallace. "Not only this season but since day one of joining us. I'm very proud of all three of them and the contributions they have given for us to be successful.
"Kyle and Bershard are and continue to be tireless workers on and off the court. They are constantly in the gym working on their game and these awards prove that the work has paid off. Congratulations to both. I'm sure they are happy to receive the awards. I know deep down to them they will not be satisfied until we win the tournament."
Brown is a first team All-Conference and West Division selection. Nick Mitchell was the last Panther named first team All-Conference in 2015. The senior forward from Dallas, Georgia leads the team in scoring (17.7 points per game), rebounding (7.5 rebounds per game), steals (36), and blocks (20). He is second on the team in field goal percentage (54.1) minutes played (923) and assists (93). Brown has been the USA South Men's Basketball Player of the Week for the past two weeks. In the USA South statistic rankings, Brown is sixth in scoring, fourth in rebounding, ninth in field goal percentage, second in minutes played and assists, and seventh in blocks. He leads the team with eight double-doubles.
Brown had a career high of 31 points in a 94-75 win against Huntingdon on Feb. 16. In the game, he set a school single game field goal percentage record of 93.8 for the NCAA era by hitting 15-of-16 shots. Brown had 28 points in the 81-71 win at Brevard on Feb. 19, setting a career-high by making 12-of-12 from the free throw line. He pulled down a career-high 17 rebounds in an 89-75 win against Oglethorpe on Nov. 20.
Edwards is on the West Division first team. The senior guard from Lehigh Acres, Florida was second on the team in scoring, averaging 15.4 points per game. Edwards leads the team in minutes played (923), free throw percentage (82.5, 33-of-40), and assists (104). He is the first Panther to have over 100 assists in a season in the program's NCAA era. He is second on the team in 3-point shots made (38) and tied for second in steals (32). Edwards leads the conference in minutes played and is second in assists.
Edwards had a career-high 26 points in a 100-89 win over Birmingham-Southern on Dec. 29. He has recorded a career high eight assists twice this season. Edwards hit a game-winning shot in a 62-60 win at Covenant on Jan. 21.
Hill is third on the team in scoring, averaging 12.2 points per game and second in rebounding, averaging 5.8 rebounds per game. He is tied for second on the team with 32 steals and is second with 16 blocks. Hill had a career-high 22 points, making 11-of-12 shots, in an 85-66 win over Berea on Jan. 29. He has had a career-high 12 rebounds twice this season.
"Zac is an incredible young man and plays with so much heart toughness and enthusiasm," Wallace said. "Zac also leads our prayers before the game and always mentions our safety and the safety of our opponents. It's only deserving that he be recognized with our All-Sportsmanship award. Congratulations Zac!"
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