Sun Conference

All-Conference Roster Released at Final Four Banquet

2/24/2013 10:58:21 AM

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The 2012-13 Sun Conference Honor Roll was announced at the 2013 Sun Conference Tournament Banquet on Sunday evening on the campus of Northwood University. 14 players from eight Sun Conference squads were named to the All-Conference roster, while five players were selected to the All-Defensive Team and five individual awards were handed out by Sun Conference Commissioner Mark Pope.

Ra'Shad James was named the 2012-13 Player of the Year, becoming the third Seahawk player to earn the honor, following Jonathan Dunn and DeSean White who both won the award twice. James (White Plains, N.Y.) ranks second in NAIA II in scoring at 24.1 points per game, ranks third in the conference with a 57 percent clip from the floor and was a unanimous pick as the Player of the Year.

Earning Newcomer of the Year accolades was Webber International's Brian Pace (Gainesville, Fla.). The junior guard finished the regular season third in the league in scoring (17.4) and third in the conference in assists (4.4). Pace helped the Warriors to a second-place finish during the regular season, a six-spot improvement from their 2011-12 conference finish of eighth.

Brandon Moore (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) of Southeastern was selected as the league's Freshman of the Year for his performance for the Fire in his rookie campaign. Moore averaged 8.5 points and a team-leading 7.3 rebounds for Southeastern.

Switching from a Defensive Player of the Year award to an All-Defensive Team this season, the league coaches selected five players from five different institutions to make up the roster. Tyrone Davis (Northwood), Kevin Hincapie (St. Thomas), Kiel Lewis (Ave Maria), Michael Baptiste (Florida Memorial) and Jakeem Hill (Webber International) all earned the honor.

Rollie Massimino collected his fourth Coach of the Year honor after leading the Seahawks to a 28-2 regular season record and a 14-2 mark in conference play. Northwood, currently ranked No. 3 in the NAIA II Coaches' Poll, has won 13 straight contests and will be the favorite to come away with the 2012-13 conference tournament crown.

The 2012-13 Cazzie Russell Champion of Character Award was given to Daniel Mondragon of Embry-Riddle. Mondragon, a senior guard from Clermont, Fla., became the first Eagle in program history to go from a walk-on to starter and over the last two seasons served as the team's captain. Head Coach Steve Ridder described Mondragon this way: "Daniel represents what our program is all about. He is the total package on and off the court. Daniel Mondragon's don't come along very often...he is a special young man with a bright future."

The Sun Conference also honored nine Academic All-Conference award winners at the banquet. To be eligible for the Academic All-Conference, a student-athlete must have completed one full academic year at the league institution and have a 3.5 or better grade point average.

Tournament action picks up on Monday night when the second-seeded Warriors of Webber International play third-seeded Embry-Riddle at 5 p.m., followed by the second semifinal of top-seeded Northwood taking on the fifth-seeded St. Thomas Bobcats. at 7 p.m.

First Team All-Conference
Ra'Shad James, Northwood (24.1 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 2.7 apg)
Brian Pace, Webber International (17.4 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 4.4 apg)
Tyrone Davis, Northwood (11.1 ppg, 8.3 apg, 2.3 spg)
Kiel Lewis, Ave Maria (15.8 ppg, 3.5 spg, 4.2 rpg)
DeForest Carter, Embry-Riddle (13.6 ppg, 7.3 apg, 5.8 rpg, 2.5 spg, 1.5 bpg)
Mark St. Fort, Warner (15.2 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 1.7 bpg)
Michael Baptiste, Florida Memorial (12.8 ppg, 9.6 rpg, 3.2 apg, 2.0 spg)

Second Team All-Conference
Demonte' Simpson, St. Thomas (14.4 pgg, 8.0 rpg)
Kevin Hincapie, St. Thomas (13.2 ppg, 3.1 spg, 3.7 apg)
Myles Smith, Johnson & Wales (19.4 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 2.2 apg)
Gabriel Rutledge, Webber International (7.7 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 1.5 bpg)
Patrick Horstmann, Northwood (9.2 ppg, 7.1 rpg)
Cesar Pastrana, Embry-Riddle (13.4 ppg, 8.3 rpg)
Tyler Auerbacher, Webber International (13.8 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 1.5 spg)

Player of the Year
Ra'Shad James, Northwood

Newcomer of the Year
Brian Pace, Webber International

Freshman of the Year
Brandon Moore, Southeastern

Coach of the Year
Rollie Massimino, Northwood

Cazzie Russell Champions of Character Award
Daniel Mondragon, Embry-Riddle

All-Defensive Team
Tyrone Davis, Northwood
Kevin Hincapie, St. Thomas
Kiel Lewis, Ave Maria
Michael Baptiste, Florida Memorial
Jakeem Hill, Webber International

Academic All-Conference