|
Timothy Clarke garners All-ODAC Honorable Mention
|
|
Salem, VA -- In just its first year as a member of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference, the Randolph College Men's Basketball program received its first major ODAC award. First-year forward Derrick Woods-Morrow was named 2009 ODAC Rookie of the Year as announced by the conference office Thursday night after leading Randolph to its first three wins in conference play, and a berth in the ODAC Championship Tournament. Sophomore guard Timothy Clarke also was recognized for his outstanding play during the season, garnering All-ODAC Honorable Mention.
Woods-Morrow's selection as the league's top rookie marks the first major men's basketball ODAC award in the program's two year history. He made a name for himself in the paint this season, leading the WildCats and ranking second in the conference in rebounding at 8.9 boards per game. During Randolph's final eight games, Woods-Morrow recorded six double-double performances. He posted 10 double-doubles in total, which placed second in the conference. He scored in double figures in 15 games, going for a season-high 21 points and 11 rebounds against Randolph-Macon College on January 24.
"Derrick proved to be a quick learner and made solid improvements as a player each week from the beginning of the season to the end", stated Coach Nunley. "As a first-year, he took on a lot of responsibility for our team and adjusted quickly to the demands of college basketball on and off the court. I am happy for his success; he is very deserving of this award."
Clarke was a steady force for the WildCats from the perimeter during the season. His 13.1 points per game led the team, and ranked 14th in the conference. Clarke also was the team's best distributor, dishing out 3.7 assists per game, good for second in the league. Clarke was clutch from the foul line all season, hitting on 82.4 percent (103-125) from the charity stripe. He netted a season 25 points and six rebounds in the thrilling overtime win at Washington and Lee University on January 31.
"Tim was asked to fill a number of different roles for our team this season", stated Coach Nunley. "His recognition as an All-ODAC Honorable Mention is a reflection of the successful job he did at performing those roles and speaks to the strides he has made in the program over the last two years. He made important contributions to our success this year and it's nice to see opposing coaches recognize that as well."
Randolph-Macon College senior Justin Short took home ODAC Player of the Year honors. Guilford head coach Tom Palombo was tabbed as Bob Johnson ODAC Coach of the Year, and Washington and Lee University senior Bob Heller was selected as the 2009 ODAC/Farm Bureau Scholar-Athlete.
Listed below are the 2009 Men's Basketball All-ODAC Teams. For more information on men's basketball as well as the upcoming tournament and the rest of the league's sports, visit the ODAC on the Internet at www.odaconline.com.
2009 MEN'S BASKETBALL ALL-ODAC TEAMS
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Justin Short, Sr., Guard, Randolph-Macon
COACH OF THE YEAR: Tom Palombo, Guilford
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Derrick Woods-Morrow, Fr., Forward, Randolph
ODAC/FARM BUREAU SCHOLAR-ATHLETE: Ben Heller, Sr., Forward, Washington and Lee
Vince Scalzo, Sports Information Director
