Kemp, Placeres Earn Major CCS Awards

CCS Release

MARYVILLE – Reed Kemp in his first season wearing the Orange and Garnet of the Maryville Scots is bringing a second straight CCS Player of the Year Award home to the Cooper Athletic Center.
 
Kemp follows in the footsteps of last year's winner, Myles Rasnick, and the junior guard posted very Rasnick-like numbers in keeping this major piece of hardware in the family. In 27.7 minutes, Kemp is averaging 18.5 points, shooting 46.5 percent from the floor, 39.5 percent from 3-point distance and 86.0 percent from the free throw line, averaging 2.7 threes, 1.5 assists and 1.7 steals.
 
His performances include two of the top five high-point games in the league this year, scoring 39 against Berry and 34 at Belhaven.
 
Rasnick in his Player of the Year season a year ago in 34.1 minutes averaged 18.6, shot 49.3 percent from the floor, 44.7 percent from distance and 92.2 percent at the line, averaged 1.5 threes, 4.1 assists and 2.3 steals.


 
"What a year for Reed!" Maryville head coach Raul Placeres said. "Scoring 20 points per game in conference while shooting 49-42-86 is exceptional work. Hit 68 threes for the year with some huge games, including 39 vs. Berry and 34 vs. Belhaven.
 
His ability to become one of us so quickly is something I am really proud of. It is never easy when you transfer into a new place. Reed is well received by his teammates because they see how hard he works and how good of a teammate he is. The great thing is he still has room for growth as a player, and I look forward to seeing that."
 
Placeres wins his first league Coach of the Year award in his fifth season leading the Scots. This might have been his best coaching job. Despite losing not only Rasnick but his next best scorer and his top four rebounders from a year ago, Placeres guided the Scots to more overall wins (20) and more league wins (11) than last season's squad. Securing the league title by three games for the second consecutive season, Maryville sports a remarkable +18.3 scoring margin in league play that is 14 points clear of the next-closest finisher.
 
"I am flattered and honored to receive this award," Placeres said. "It certainly reflects our team winning and our entire program. It starts with our talented and high-character players. It is so much more than just selecting talent. It's about building a team.
 
"Due to injuries and sickness, we have had nine different starting lineups this season. So proud of the body of work we put together this season. We replaced four very good seniors from last year's squad and were able to win more games in season (18 to 20) and in conference play (10 to 11)."


 
Five Scots Make All-CCS
Joining Kemp as an All-CCS First Team selection from Maryville is Chase Morgan. The sophomore forward leads the team in rebounding at 6.5 and is second in scoring at 13.4. Morgan is shooting 50.4 percent from the floor and tops the team with 19 blocked shots.
 
Maryville's All-CCS Second Team honorees are Jackson Garner, Daryl Rice and R.J. Simmons. Garner is third on the team in scoring at 10.9, and he stands second in the CCS behind Kemp with 58 3-pointers. Garner is shooting 39.5 percent from distance and 83.0 percent at the line, with 51 assists against just 27 turnovers.
 
Rice has ranked among the nation's leaders in assist-to-turnover ratio all season. He has 106 assists against just 32 turnovers for a 3.3 ratio to go with an 8.8 scoring average. Rice is having a career year in scoring, assists, field goal percentage (52.5), rebounding (3.0) and steals (1.9).
 
Simmons is riding a streak of 11 straight games scoring in double figures – longest on the team this year. He leads the team in field goal percentage at 59.5 and his scoring average is up to a career-high 10.7 that is fourth on the squad. He's second on the team in rebounding at 6.4.
 
Maryville's representative on the CCS All-Sportsmanship Team is Javi Rosell. The first-year guard has 41 assists against just 10 turnovers for a ratio of 4.1 that would rank third nationally if he met the minimum of 3.0 assists per game played (Rosell is at 1.8).
 
Maryville is back in action Friday in the CCS Tournament semifinals against the winner of Tuesday night's game between LaGrange and Huntingdon. Tipoff for Friday's semifinal doubleheader is 5 p.m., with Maryville playing Game 2. Saturday's championship game begins at 3 p.m.
 
REMINDER: There is an admission charge to the CCS tournament games. A tournament pass costs $15 and gets fans into both the semifinals and championship game. Single-day passes cost $10, with seniors and children ages 6-18 admitted for $5. Children under 6 and CCS students with a valid ID are free.
 
More from Raul Placeres on the All-CCS Awards
 
Coach of the Year Award
"A huge thanks to Lee Anne Grayson, our athletic trainer, for all the work she has done this year in keeping the guys as healthy as possible and getting them back as quickly as possible.
 
"Next, my right-hand man, Assistant coach Jeff McCord. I wish they would name the award 'Staff of the Year.' No head coach does it all by himself. Very fortunate to have such a loyal and hard-working assistant.
 
"Appreciative of our three student coaches who have helped all year long with many different responsibilities (Chase Ridenour, Nacao Santiago and Mason Howard). Lastly, my loving, passionate and patient wife, Joanna, and daughter, Santina, at home. Their continual support is really important throughout the year, so I am so thankful for them."
 
Individual Awards
"This year's recognition is a tribute to the team. No individual can do it all by himself. To win the way we have this season in the regular season (+18.3 scoring margin in conference play) while having nine different starting lineups and being undefeated at home is a tribute to the personality of this team. Their willingness to work and share is unique. When you get a team that truly commits and everyone puts everything into it every day, you don't have to worry about anything else. Winning takes care of itself and individuals get recognized."
 
On Chase Morgan: "The young bull was better in Year 2. After being the Sixth Man of the Year last year, Chase stepped up into the lead post player role. He improved in many statistical categories, including rebounding, blocks, steals and assists while averaging 13.4 points on 51 percent from the field. I am happy for Chase, as his total body of work of the season was rewarded. 'Agent Morgan' has such a bright future within our program."
 
On R.J. Simmons: "'JuJu' had a heck of a season, especially the 12-game conference run where he averaged 14.6 ppg and 7.9 rpg on 63 percent from the field. R.J. was a strong candidate for Sixth Man of theYear, so when he didn't receive it, I was glad the coaches valued his play be naming him All-CCS Second Team. R.J.'s growth as a player is evident, as he went from averaging 4.9 ppg and 1.9 rpg as a first-year player to 10.7 ppg and 6.4 rpg for the season in his sophomore campaign."
 
On Jackson Garner: "'Jackie Moon' has been a consistent force for us all season, from his 3-point shooting and clutch free throw percentage to his high assist-to-turnover ratio. His 12 ppg in conference play while shooting 44-45-87 was essential to our 11-1 record in league play. Jack was left off last year's All-Conference team, so I am happy that he was honored because I know how hard he has worked all year. Looking forward to continual growth from Jackson."
 
On Captain Daryl Rice: "A defensive player of the year nominee, Daryl put in the senior year that we knew he was capable of but most importantly that we needed to be successful as a team. He has ranked in the Top 10 nationally in assist-to-turnover ratio all season. On a team that has four double digit average scorers, 'Bubba' led our team with 106 assists while maintaining a 3 to 1 assist/TO ratio. He was equally impressive in other categories, as he averaged 9 ppg and 3 rpg while shooting 53 percent from the field, 36 percent from 3-point range and 78 percent from the free throw line. This four-time regular season champ ends his regular season career with a much-earned and much-deserved All-CCS Second Team award."
 
On Javi Rosell and the All-Sportsmanship Team: "Javi has been a valuable member of our team this season as a first-year player. He leads our team in assist-to-turnover ratio at 4.1 while shooting 52 percent from the field and 63 percent from the 3-point line. Javi also holds the highest GPA on our team and is a great representative of our program."