Feb. 26, 2007

RICHARDSON, Texas - Hardin-Simmons senior basketball player Zach Pickleman was named the American Southwest Conference West Division Player of the Year in a vote by the league's head coaches.

Pickelman, who averaged 18.1 points and 5.6 rebounds, became the second Cowboy in three years to earn the award. He shot 44.9 percent from 3-point range and led the Cowboys to a 16-12 record and a berth into the ASC Championship game. He earned league player of the week honors three times this season and also earned All-Tournament team honors at the ASC Tournament.

"I was surprised, but I will take it," said Pickelman. "There were a lot of great players in the league this year and it is nice to be recognized by the other coaches. We had a great ride as a team and I thank my teammates for this honor as well, because they were a big part of this."

Head Coach Dylan Howard also had high praise for his senior go-to guy.

"Zach was the biggest part of what we have done in the rebuilding of this program," said Howard. "He along with Matt (Brackett) and James (Peters) came in and really got our program headed in the right direction. Zach deserves all of the praise he gets, because he did everything we asked of him and more every night. I don't think any one team asked more out of one player than we did of Zach.

Pickelman also earned first-team All-ASC West division honors for the second straight season. He was joined on the team by teammate Mardochee Jean. Jean also claimed the ASC West Defensive Player of the Year honors after recording 80 blocked shots and leading the league in rebounding at 11.6 per game.

James Peters was named honorable mention All-ASC West for the third straight year. He was also named to the All-Defensive team, along with Jean.

Freshman Mike Dinkins was named to the all-freshman team.