Smith highlights trio of Tiger basketball players named All-Conference performers

                                Smith highlights trio of Tiger basketball players named All-Conference performers

Helping the Cowley College men's basketball team achieve 20-plus wins and a chance for more, the Tigers had three players named to the Kansas Jayhawk Community College All-Conference list.

Freshman Marcus Smith was named a First Team All-Conference selection, while sophomores Kyden Thompson and Leslie Owens Jr. were named Honorable Mention selections.

"All three are very deserving of all-conference honors, and I am proud of them all," Cowley head coach Donnie Jackson said. "They all bring different things to the table, and being named All-Jayhawk is an honor for them and for our program."

Smith averaged 15.8 points to go along with nearly three rebounds and three assists per contest. He surpassed the 30-point plateau in three games and had 11 games where he scored 20 or more.

"Marcus has been one of the most dynamic players in the Jayhawk conference over the course of the season. He can change a game in a hurry," Jackson said.

Thompson scored in double figures in seven conference games and filled up the stat sheet by averaging 8.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game.

"Kyden has been our steady force," Jackson said. "His playmaking and  defense have been  a huge key to our team."

After missing the previous season due to injury, Owens return to the lineup has been key to the Tigers' success. Both he and Thompson have combined to win 50 games over the past two seasons, with Owens averaging 10.5 points and 3.2 rebounds per contest. Owens scored in double figures in 12 conference tilts.

"Leslie has brought a game to game toughness to him, and when he plays well, we have played well," Jackson said. "With all of the injuries he has battled and overcome, it's great to see him recognized."

The Tigers are two wins away from a third straight appearance at the national tournament and will face Butler on Friday at 7:30 p.m. in Great Bend, KS, in the semifinals of the District Plains Tournament.

All-Conference List:

CO-PLAYER OF THE YEAR – TRISTAN HANKINS, BUTLER COMMUNITY COLLEGE

CO-PLAYER OF THE YEAR – DERRICK RIVERS, DODGE CITY COMMUNITY COLLEGE

FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR – TRISTAN HANKINS, BUTLER COMMUNITY COLLEGE

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR – NOAH WILLIAMS, BARTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR – WESLY ROSA, DODGE CITY COMMUNITY COLLEGE

COACH OF THE YEAR – ERIC NITSCHE, BUTLER COMMUNITY COLLEGE

FIRST TEAM                         YR       SCHOOL

ARIS RODRIGUEZ               SO       BARTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE

NOAH WILLIAMS                R-FR    BARTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE

TRISTAN HANKINS             FR       BUTLER COMMUNITY COLLEGE

RASHID KUTA                      SO       COFFEYVILLE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

JACK SORRELL                     FR       COFFEYVILLE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

MARCUS SMITH                  FR       COWLEY COLLEGE

DERRICK RIVERS                SO       DODGE CITY COMMUNITY COLLEGE

MARQUINTEZ DIXON        SO       FORT HAYS TECH NORTHWEST

STERLING KNOX                 R-FR    INDEPENDENCE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

DAVID WILSON                   SO       INDEPENDENCE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

SECOND TEAM                    YR       SCHOOL

SEBASTIAN MUCHITSCH SO        BARTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE

DEVIN KERR                         SO       BUTLER COMMUNITY COLLEGE

JOSIAH KIRKWOOD           SO       BUTLER COMMUNITY COLLEGE

MANASSEH STACKHOUSE R-FR CLOUD COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE

DANIEL NTAMBWE            SO       COFFEYVILLE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

RICKEY LOFTIN II               SO       DODGE CITY COMMUNITY COLLEGE

WESLY ROSA                        SO       DODGE CITY COMMUNITY COLLEGE

DASEAN LEWIS                    SO       GARDEN CITY COMMUNITY COLLEGE

LUCAS N'GOMBO               SO       SEWARD COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE

ANTIONIO WILLIAMS JR. FR       SEWARD COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE

ALL-KJCCC HONORABLE MENTION

BARTON: JAYDEN RAMIREZ - FR