Landon Cotney, Brody Hamm, Earn USA South Players of the Week
USA South Athletes of the Week - Nov. 8, 2021
FOOTBALL
Football Offensive Player of the Week
Landon Cotney, Huntingdon - The junior quarterback from Alexander City, Alabama accounted for six touchdowns in a 52-33 win over Maryville last week as the Hawks claimed at least a share of the USA South championship. Through the air, Cotney was 18-of-26 for 362 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. On the ground, Cotney carried the ball 12 times for 72 yards, good for a 6.0 average, and three touchdowns. Also Nominated: Elijah Love, N.C. Wesleyan; Shawn Watlington, Averett; Brandon Bullins, Methodist.
Football Offensive Rookie of the Week
Zach Marquis, N.C. Wesleyan - The freshman quarterback from Navarre, Florida came off the bench to produced all the touchdowns scored by the Bishops in a 19-10 win over Southern Virginia last week. Marquis was 8-of-11 through the air with three touchdown passes while also adding five runs for a total of 29 yards in the victory. Also Nominated: Shawn Watlington, Averett; Dallas Daffin, Huntingdon.
Football Defensive Player of the Week
Tristin Quick, Averett - The Charlotte, North Carolina senior defensive lineman set a new single-game program record with 4.5 sacks in a 31-22 victory over LaGrange last week. Quick's tackles for loss pushed the LaGrange offense back 27 total yards. Additionally, Quick had a team-high seven total tackles and forced a fumble. Also Nominated: Benyon Williams, N.C. Wesleyan; Tucker Spence, Huntingdon; Omarion Jones, Methodist.
Football Defensive Rookie of the Week
Brody Hamm, Huntingdon - The freshman linebacker from Alpine, Alabama collected seven total tackles as well as forcing a fumble and recovering it in a 52-33 win over Maryville last week as the Hawks claimed at least a share of the USA South championship. Hamm totaled five solo tackles and two assisted take downs which included 1.5 tackles for a total loss of five yards. He returned his first quarter fumble recovery 21 yards which setup a Huntingdon touchdown three plays later. Also Nominated: Lamar Horner, Averett; Jairus Brown, Methodist; Tyler Alston, Greensboro.
Football Special Teams Player of the Week
Kobe Praylow, Methodist - The junior kick returner from Pamplico, South Carolina produced what turned out to be the game-winning score, by returning a kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown in a 40-14 win over Greensboro last week. This second career kickoff return for a touchdown was his longest and gave the Monarchs a 16-7 first quarter lead. Praylow also handed two punts which were returned for a total of 11 yards. Also Nominated: Alex Nease, N.C. Wesleyan; Shayne Parham, Averett; Will Edwards, Huntingdon.
MEN'S BASKETBALL
Men's Basketball Player of the Week
Ryan Jolly, Piedmont - The junior guard from Martinez, Georgia notched a double-double of 23 points and ten rebounds as the Lions posted an 83-70 win over Bob Jones, the team's only action last week. Jolly shot 72.7% from the floor and also contributed five assists and two steals in the victory. Also Nominated: Myles Rasnick, Maryville; Greyson Collins, Greensboro; Quae Charlton, Berea; Chris Barnette, Covenant.
Men's Basketball Rookie of the Week
Kaleb Powell, Maryville - The freshman forward from Hendersonville, Tennessee made both of his three pointers off the bench in an 87-65 victory over Johnson University (TN), the team's only action last week. Powell totaled six points with four rebounds. Also Nominated: None.
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Women's Basketball Player of the Week
Demet Saygili, Mary Baldwin - The Iskenderun, Turkey senior guard made two game-winning shots and averaged 16.5 points as the Fighting Squirrels posted a 2-0 record last week. In a 64-62 win over Bridgewater, Saygili totaled nine points, eight rebounds, four steals, and three assists while hitting a jumper with 3.2 seconds left to give MBU the victory. In a 72-721 win over Washington & Lee, Saygili contributed 24 points, six rebounds, four assists, four steals, and one block as she once-again hit a game-winner, this time a layup with 2.9 seconds remaining on the clock. Also Nominated: Camryn Lunsford, Averett; Brina Bentley, Pfeiffer; Klaire Varney, Piedmont; Aliyah Whiteside, Greensboro; Gracie Brunel, LaGrange.
Women's Basketball Rookie of the Week
Kenadie Hudler, Pfeiffer - The Jefferson, North Carolina freshman guard scored 15 points as the Falcons topped Hollins, 76-67, in the team's only action last week. Hudler made a game-high five three pointers to go along with grabbing two rebounds. Also Nominated: Jaa Brown, Averett; Nae-Nae Eades, Piedmont; Jillian Peterson, Methodist; Ema Turner, LaGrange.
PLEASE NOTE: At least half of the teams in a sport must have competed within the previous week for honors to be awarded.