NAC Weekly Awards Announced (12/9/24)
WATERVILLE, Maine - The fifth North Atlantic Conference (NAC) weekly accolades of the 2024-25 winter season have been announced.
Men's Basketball:
Player of the Week:
Gregory Gonyea, Jr. – Senior – Guard – VTSU-Lyndon
Senior guard Gregory Gonyea, Jr. (Dolgeville, N.Y.) averaged 24.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 2.0 steals while shooting 53.3% (16-30) from the floor, 44.4% (4-9) from beyond the arc, and 85.7% (12-14) from the charity stripe during the Hornets’ 2-0 week. The senior standout scored a season-high 27 points with six rebounds and four assists in a come-from-behind victory over Elms College on Thursday. Gonyea helped the Hornets open conference play with their first NAC win at VTSU Johnson in ten seasons on Saturday when he tallied 21 points, five boards, and seven assists in the 82-78 triumph.
Defensive Player of the Week:
Malachi Howard – Senior – Forward – Lesley University
Senior forward Malachi Howard (Winter Haven, Fla.) posted a pair of double-doubles last week when he registered 23 points and 10 rebounds at Fitchburg State on Tuesday and tallied 11 points and 12 boards at SUNY Delhi on Friday. For the week, Howard averaged 16.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, 3.5 steals, and 2.5 blocks over three games and grabbed a career-high six steals in the loss to the Broncos.
Rookie of the Week:
Connor Heald – Freshman – Guard – Husson University
Husson University freshman guard Connor Heald (Lakewood Ranch, Fla.) contributed 11.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists, and 1.0 steals in a pair of conference triumphs last week. The first-year standout came off the bench to net 12 points with four boards in just 21 minutes in a NAC win over Maine Maritime on Wednesday and added 10 points and four caroms in a victory at Thomas College on Saturday.
Women's Basketball:
Player of the Week:
Sage Smith – Senior – Guard – VTSU-Lyndon
Senior guard Sage Smith (Colebrook, N.H.) averaged 24.0 points and 7.0 rebounds while shooting 45.9% (17-37) from the field, 42.9% (9-21) from three-point range, and 83.3% (5-6) from the free throw line in a 1-1 week for the Hornets. Smith scored 21 points with five boards and three steals in a non-conference setback at Elms College on Thursday and poured in 27 points with nine rebounds in a 67-61 conference triumph at VTSU-Johnson on Saturday.
Defensive Player of the Week
Erianna Moore – Senior – Guard – Maine Maritime Academy
Senior guard Erianna Moore (Fitchburg, Mass.) averaged 13.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, and 1.0 steals in a pair of MMA victories last week. She helped spearhead a strong defensive effort as the Mariners held opponents to a 44.5 PPG average and a 25.5% field goal percentage in conference wins over Husson and UMaine-Farmington. The senior standout also netted her 1,000th career point in a 68-44 victory at Husson on Wednesday.
Rookie of the Week:
Jaydyn Pingree – Freshman – Guard – UMaine-Farmington
Freshman guard Jaydyn Pingree (Jay, Maine) averaged 13.5 points and 4.5 rebounds while shooting 43% (9-21) from the floor in a pair of conference contests last week. She scored 13 points and pulled down six rebounds in a setback at Thomas College on Wednesday and paced the Beavers with 14 points on a 5-for-9 shooting performance at Maine Maritime Academy on Saturday.
2024-25 MEN'S BASKETBALL WEEKLY AWARDS:
| Date |
Player of the Week |
Def. Player of the Week |
Rookie of the Week |
| 11/11/24 |
Curt Heinz, MMA |
Curt Heinz, MMA |
Tavon Rhodes, LES |
| 11/18/24 |
Simon Chadbourne, UMF |
Curt Heinz, MMA |
Zach McLaughlin, UMF |
| 11/25/24 |
Tavon Rhodes, LES |
Malachi Howard, LES |
Tavon Rhodes, LES |
| 12/2/24 |
Elijah Morris, COB |
Gil Matondo, HUS |
Tavon Rhodes, LES |
| 12/9/24 |
Gregory Gonyea, LYN |
Malachi Howard, LES |
Connor Heald, HUS |
2024-25 WOMEN'S BASKETBALL WEEKLY AWARDS:
| Date |
Player of the Week |
Def. Player of the Week |
Rookie of the Week |
| 11/11/24 |
Logan Thayne, COB |
Jessica Dow, UMF |
Alani Brock, LES |
| 11/18/24 |
Logan Thayne, COB |
Jessica Dow, UMF |
Jaira Moore, LES |
| 11/25/24 |
Logan Thayne, COB |
Bella Terry, LES |
Pryelle Kesse-Beda, THO |
| 12/2/24 |
Logan Thayne, COB |
Taylor Meacham, COB |
Jaira Moore, LES |
| 12/9/24 |
Sage Smith, LYN |
Erianna Moore, MMA |
Jaydyn Pingree, UMF |