The Mountain East Conference men's basketball awards were released on Tuesday evening. Jaedon Willis got First-Team All Conference for the second straight season and DeAirius Barker was given honorable mention as voted by the MEC coaches.
Willis, the senior from Baltimore, Maryland is averaging 21.2 points per game on the season which is second in the MEC and 17th in the country. He is shooting 39.9 percent from the 3-point line which is good for third in the MEC. His 2.8 made 3-pointer's per game are fourth in the conference. Willis is making 89 percent of his shots from the free throw line which is second in the MEC and 17th in the country. Willis has scored 593 points which is just outside the top 10 in NDC history and 19th in the country. Willis is averaging 32.9 minutes per game which is eighth in the conference. He is seventh in the nation in total free throws made (162,) and 17th in free throw percentage (89 percent)
"Obviously an accomplishment that I set out to do at the beginning of the year. Obviously making it last year I expected to make it again this season. Every season is a new season so I just wanted to reestablish myself in the conference. This is more of a team award if you asked me. It is good to be recognized but obviously it is a team award. I did this for my teammates and my family, "Willis explained.
Willis was the first Falcon to win consecutive first team honors since Will Vorhees in the 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons.
Willis was joined on the first team by Bryce Butler (West Liberty,) John Korte (Wheeling,) Daniel Rahama (Concord,) Sam Rolle (Davis & Elkins,) Isaiah Sanders (Fairmont State,) Jordan "Turbo" Smith (Glenville State,) and Keith Williams (Charleston.)
The second team consisted of, Tyler Eberhart (Charleston,) Samier Kinsler (West Virginia State,) Jalen Knott (Alderson Broaddus,) George Mangas (Fairmont State,) Malik McKinney (West Liberty,) Christian Montague (West Liberty,) Jason Murphy (Frostburg State,) Malik Whitaker (West Virginia State,) and Freddie Word (Glenville State.)
Barker talked about getting honorable mention:
"It is an accomplishment. I just like to play basketball. It's a team award and we have had a hell of a season up to this point. For that I appreciate everyone, "the redshirt sophomore stated.
Barker has appeared in 27 games this season getting 14 starts. He is second on the team in minutes played at 30 per night. He has the highest 3-point percentage on the squad (46.3 percent) leads the team in steals with 35, in steals per game (1.3) which is top 20 in the MEC, and leads the team in assists per game (three per night) which is top 15 in the MEC. The Cincinnati Princeton product is second on the Falcons scoring at 11.9 points per game, field goals made (116,) 3-pointer's made (37,) free throws made (53,) total points (322) and total rebounds (120.)
Barker, Willis, and the Notre Dame College Falcons (16-12 12-10 MEC) will be back in action when they play West Virginia State (20-8 14-8 MEC) in the MEC Quarterfinals. Tip time from WesBanco Arena in Wheeling, West Virginia is scheduled for 8:30 PM on Friday, March 3rd.
Barker was joined in getting honorable mention by:
Eddie Colbert (Charleston,) Zyon Dobbs (Fairmont State,) JJ Harper (Concord,) Anthony Pittman (West Virginia State,) and Breland Walton (Davis & Elkins.)
Butler was the Player Of The Year, CJ Meredith of Charleston freshman of the year, and Daniel Mondragon (Davis& Elkins) garnered Coach of the Year honors.
Willis gave the final thoughts about the two Falcons getting the awards together:
"We are the best back court in the conference. Obviously the last few weeks we have not shown that like we should have. We have another opportunity on Friday and are looking forward to the challenge. We look forward to competing on Friday. "
MEC Player Of The Year: Bryce Butler (West Liberty:)
MEC Freshman of The Year: CJ Meredith (Charleston)
MEC Coach of The Year: Daniel Mondragon: (Davis & Elkins)
All MEC First Team:
Bryce Butler (West Liberty)
John Korte (Wheeling)
Daniel Rahama (Concord)
Sam Rolle (Davis& Elkins)
Isaiah Sanders (Fairmont State)
Jordan "Turbo" Smith (Glenville State)
Keith Williams (Charleston)
Jaedon Willis (NDC)
All MEC Second Team:
Tyler Eberhart (Charleston)
Samier Kinsler (West Virginia State)
Jalen Knott (Alderson Broaddus)
George Mangas (Fairmont State)
Malik McKinney (West Liberty)
Christian Montague (West Liberty)
Jason Murphy (Frostburg State)
Malik Whitaker (West Virginia State)
Freddie Word (Glenville State)
All MEC Honorable Mention:
DeAirius Barker (NDC)
Eddie Colbert (Charleston)
Zyon Dobbs (Fairmont State)
JJ Harper (Concord)
Anthony Pittman (West Virginia State)
Breland Walton (Davis & Elkins)
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