Gonzalez earns USA South Athlete of the Week honors
By Chuck Tidmore
Sports Information Assistant
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Huntingdon sophomore Jared Gonzalez was named an USA South Athlete of the Week on Monday.
The Navaree, Fla. native was named Baseball Co-Pitcher of the Week alongside Ryan Grant of North Carolina Wesleyan for his performance this week in Game 3 in the 2016 Firehouse Classic against Millsaps.
In Sunday's 6-1 win over the Majors, Gonzalez threw seven scoreless innings, striking out three, walking three and scattering four hits.
Below is the complete list of USA South Athletes of the Week.
MEN'S BASKETBALL
Men's Basketball Player of the Week
Adrian Moore, N.C. Wesleyan - The sophomore guard from Plymouth, North Carolina averaged 23.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.0 steals per game as the Bishops posted a 2-0 record last week versus USA South competition with each win coming on the road. Moore shot 77.8 percent from the field (7-of-9) and 85.0 percent from the free-throw stripe (17-of-20) during the week. In 114-98 victory over LaGrange, Moore scored a career-high 26 points to go along with eight rebounds, six assists, zero turnovers, two steals and one block. In a 73-72 win over Huntingdon, Moore totaled 21 points, seven rebounds and two steals. Also Nominated: Simeon Howard, Greensboro; Trae Gaines, Piedmont; Spencer Shoffner, Maryville; Josh Grimard, Ferrum; Justyn Olson, LaGrange; Brandon Monk, Methodist; Carter Jones, Averett; Chris Thomas, William Peace; Raheem Berry, Huntingdon.
Men's Basketball Rookie of the Week
Sam Johnson, William Peace - The Beaufort, North Carolina freshman guard averaged 13.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game as the Pacers posted a 2-1 record last week versus USA South competition. In a 91-89, overtime, victory over Averett, Johnson totaled ten points, two steals and one rebound. In a 68-60 victory at Huntingdon, Johnson contributed 12 points, five rebounds, three steals and one assist. Finally, in a 105-103, double-overtime loss to LaGrange, Johnson scored 19 points, grabbed four rebounds, dished out two assists and collected two steals. Also Nominated: Taylor Mills, Piedmont; Steven Jones, Ferrum; Isaiah Alston, N.C. Wesleyan; Saadiq Johnson, Averett; Brandon McLean, Huntingdon.
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Women's Basketball Player of the Week
Mackenzie Puckett, Maryville - The Franklin, Tennessee senior forward averaged 20.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.3 steals and 2.3 blocks per game last week as the Scots posted a 2-1 record versus USA South competition who currently possess a .714 combined winning percentage. In a 61-54 loss at Piedmont, Puckett posted a game-high 15 points with two rebounds, two assists and one block. In a 63-46 victory over Ferrum, Puckett totaled 17 points, five steals, two rebounds, two assists and one block. Finally, in an 87-57 win over Averett, Puckett tallied game-highs of 29 points and five blocks to go along with six rebounds, four assists and two steals. Also Nominated: Mary Kate Rushton, Piedmont; Joanna Smith, Covenant; Kemani Crawford, Ferrum; Lauren Johnson, LaGrange; Alexis Wallace, Methodist; Jessica Myers, Averett; Juliette Harp, Huntingdon.
Women's Basketball Rookie of the Week
Joanna Smith, Covenant - The Chattanooga, Tennessee freshman guard averaged 18.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 3.3 steals per game as the Scots posted a 1-2 record last week. In a 70-46 victory over Agnes Scott, Smith totaled 14 points, seven rebounds, four assists and four steals. In a 70-67 loss to USA South for Averett, Smith notched a double-double of 18 points and 14 rebounds to go with four steals and one assist. Finally, in a 68-65 loss to USA South rival Ferrum, Smith scored a career-high 22 points to go along with five rebounds, five assists, two steals and one block. Also Nominated: Marilauren Farr, LaGrange; Shannon Longworth, Averett.
BASEBALL
Baseball Player of the Week
Joel Johnson, Covenant - The sophomore third baseman from Alingsas, Sweden went a combined 6-for-8 (.750) with four runs score, one run batted in, one double, one walk and one stolen base as the Scots swept a two-game non-conference series from Greensboro to open the season. In game-two, Johnson was a perfect 4-for-4 with two runs scored. Also Nominated: Mikey Anerton, William Peace; Chris Ervin, Maryville; Blake Butcher, LaGrange; Evan Gresham, Piedmont; Ciro Norzagaray, N.C. Wesleyan; Patrick Kucera, Huntingdon.
Baseball Co-Pitchers of the Week
Jared Gonzalez, Huntingdon & Ryan Grant, N.C. Wesleyan - Gonzalez, a sophomore from Navarre, Florida and Grant, a junior from Goldsboro, North Carolina each had identical pitching performances in victories to start the season. Both pitcher tossed seven shutout innings with three strikeouts and three walks. Gonzalez's victory came over Millsaps while Grant's win was over Lynchburg. Also Nominated: Christian Neal, William Peace; Jonah Paul, Covenant; Eric Morell, LaGrange.
Baseball Rookie of the Week
Trey Croom, N.C. Wesleyan - The freshman third baseman from Wilmington, North Carolina went a combined 4-for-7 (.571) with three RBI, one run scored and one double as the Bishops swept a two-game series from Lynchburg to open the season. In a 2-1, game two win, Croom scored the eventual game-winning run. Also Nominated: Easton Payton, William Peace; Brendan Lawler, Maryville; Jay Jordan, Huntingdon.
Baseball Rookie Pitcher of the Week
Ryan Gosney, Covenant - The Greensboro, North Carolina freshman tossed the final 2.2 innings without allowing a run in a 10-4 season-opening non-conference victory over Greensboro in his only appearance of last week. Gosney allowed two hits with two strikeouts and one walk. Also Nominated: Matt Vonderschmidt, Piedmont.
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