The KIAC coaches selected Brescia University junior Austin Morris as the KIAC Player of the Year and Brescia University head coach Josh Gibson as the KIAC Coach of the Year, conference officials announced Thursday, February 28th. The Bearcats claimed the KIAC South Division title, and defeated IU Kokomo in the quarterfinals and before falling behind in the semifinals.
Morris led Brescia to an 18-9 overall record and 10-3 conference record. Morris was 6th in the conference in points per game (16.07), 1st in rebounds per game (10.15), 1st in blocks per game (3.44), 1st in field goal percentage (60.1), 4th in free throw percentage (80.3) and was second in the conference with 13 double-doubles. He also ranked 1st in NAIA Division II blocks per game (3.44), 6th in rebounds per game (10.15) and 11th in field goal percentage (60.1)
“I would like to thank God, my teammates, my coaches, my family, and my friends as well as everyone who has supported our team this season,” stated Morris. “I want to use this moment to thank you all from the bottom of my heart as none of my success on the court would be possible without your positive influences in my life. Thank you as well to the coaches in the KIAC for honoring me with this award. Thank you!”
“I am so happy for Austin and proud that his hard work and dedication have been recognized with his selection as KIAC Player of the Year,” said Josh Gibson, Brescia University Head Coach. “This is a league full of great teams and great players and to be voted as Player of the Year is a tremendous accomplishment for him. He put in a lot of extra time and effort in the weight room and in the gym this past offseason and I am happy that those long hours resulted in such a successful season for our team and for him personally. Austin is a great person in addition to being a great player, and I look forward to seeing what the future holds for him both on and off the court.”
Coach Gibson led the Bearcats to an 18-9 overall record and 10-3 conference record. The Bearcats entered the KIAC Tournament as the No. 1 seed from the South division and finished 2nd overall in the regular season. They received 5 points in the latest NAIA Division II Men’s Basketball Coaches’ Top 25 Poll placing them in the No. 34 position nationally.
“I am honored and humbled to be selected by my peers as coach of the year in the KIAC. This league has so many quality teams with great coaches who I respect immensely. I sincerely thank them for considering me for this honor. Further, any success that a coach has is a reflection of his players. The credit for this award goes to our team for how hard they worked to achieve the things we have been able to accomplish this season. Their dedication and achievements have given Brescia University, our alumni, and the Owensboro community a lot to be proud of and I am blessed to have been a part of it this season,” said Gibson of his recognition.
Morris and Gibson join Point Park University junior Jerah’me Williams, who was named KIAC Newcomer of the Year, and Indiana University East junior Huston Clark, the KIAC Comeback Player of the Year.
For more information on Brescia University Bearcat Athletics, visit http://www.bresciabearcats.com/.