INDIANAPOLIS (USBWA) – Alex Sobel of Middlebury College (Middlebury, Vt.) and Shannon McCoy of Kean University (Union, N.J.) were named the U.S. Basketball Writers Association Division III National Players of the Week for the week ending January 22.
Sobel, a 6-8 senior forward from Setauket, N.Y., has earned the award for the second time this season. He averaged a double-double last week as No. 5 (D3hoops.com) Middlebury posted two road victories against top-6 foes. On Monday versus then-No. 4 Keene State, Sobel scored 31 points (13-of-18 FG, 5-of-8 FT), collected 16 rebounds, recorded six assists, had five blocks, and added a steal in the Panthers’ 86-82 victory. On Saturday against then-No. 6 Williams, he finished with 18 points (7-of-16 FG, 4-of-7 FT), 13 rebounds, four assists, two steals, and a block in the 60-55 win. Over the two games, Sobel averaged 24.5 points, 14.5 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 3.0 blocks, and 1.5 steals while shooting 58.8 percent (20-of-34) from the field and 60.0 percent (9-of-15) from the foul line. Currently second in NCAA Division III with 71 blocks and 4.18 blocks per game, Sobel was also named the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) Player of the Week.
McCoy, a 5-9 senior guard from Barnegat, N.J., helped lead Kean to two conference road victories last week. On Wednesday at William Paterson, McCoy played all 40 minutes and scored a career-high 41 points (14-of-21 FG, 3-of-4 FT, 10-of-16 3FG), while adding nine rebounds, an assist and steal in a 58-41 win. The 10 three-pointers tied Kean’s single-game record and is tied for fourth-highest in NCAA Division III this season. On Saturday, she totaled 27 points (10-of-19 FG, 2-of-3 FT, 5-of-10 3FG) in only 28 minutes, and added five rebounds, five assists and three steals in an 84-52 victory. For the week, she averaged 34.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.0 steals while shooting 60.0 percent (24-of-40) from the field, 71.4 percent (5-of-7) from the foul line and 57.7 percent (15-of-26) from long distance. For her efforts, McCoy was also selected the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) 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.