INDIANAPOLIS (USBWA) – Jeff Hunter of Keene State University (Keene, N.H.) and Maddy Mandyck of Williams College (Williamstown, Mass.) were named the U.S. Basketball Writers Association Division III National Players of the Week for the week ending November 20.
Hunter, a 6-7 senior guard from Hudson, Mass., posted a pair of double-doubles in leading Keene State to consecutive victories at the Great Lakes Invitational at Wabash College. Against Maryville on Friday, Hunter tied a career high with 30 points (13-of-19 FG, 4-of-6 FT), grabbed 18 rebounds, had three steals, and added four blocks in the Owls’ 78-69 victory. He returned to the court the next day and totaled 21 points (9-of-16 FG, 3-of-3 FT), 16 rebounds, two blocks, one assist, and one steal in his team’s 84-62 over No. 17-ranked (D3hoops.com) Marietta. For the week, Hunter averaged 25.5 points, 17.0 rebounds, 3.0 blocks, 2.0 steals, and 0.5 assists while shooting 62.8 percent (22-of-35) from the field and 77.8 percent (7-of-9) from the foul line. For his efforts, Hunter was named to the Great Lakes Invitational All-Tournament Team and was selected Little East Conference Player of the Week.
Mandyck, a 6-1 senior forward from West Hartford, Conn., recorded her first career triple-double and helped lead Williams to three victories last week. She began with nine points (4-of-7 FG, 1-of-1 FT), five rebounds, four assists, four steals, and three blocks in the Ephs’ 74-52 win at Vassar on Tuesday. On Saturday, in the opening game of Williams’ Morin Memorial Tournament, Mandyck totaled 16 points (6-of-9 FG, 4-of-6 FT), 10 rebounds, two assists, two steals, and two blocks in a 76-69 victory over Albright. The next day, she finished with 13 points (5-of-9 FG, 3-of-3 FT), 16 rebounds, six assists, two steals, and a program-record 12 blocks (the most in NCAA Division III this season) as Williams defeated Stevenson 56-40. For the week, Mandyck averaged 12.6 points, 10.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 2.6 steals, and 5.6 blocks while shooting 60 percent (15-of-25) from the field and 80 percent (8-of-10) from the foul line. For her efforts, Mandyck was named to the Morin Memorial All-Tournament Team and was selected the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) Player of the Week.
Each Tuesday, the USBWA is selecting men's and women's Division III National Players of the Week. This is the eighth season that the USBWA will recognize national players of the week from Division III.
The U.S. Basketball Writers Association was formed in 1956 at the urging of then-NCAA Executive Director Walter Byers. With some 900 members worldwide, it is one of the most influential organizations in college basketball. It has selected an All-America team since the 1956-57 season. For more information on the USBWA and its award programs, contact executive director Malcolm Moran at 814-574-1485.