Feb. 27, 2006

RICHARDSON, Texas - Mardochee Jean, who topped the American Southwest Conference blocked shot record with 99 on the year, has been named the American Southwest Conference Defensive Player of the Year and Zach Pickelman earned first-team All-ASC West honors in voting done by the league's coaches.

Pickelman earned first-team honors for the first time after being tabbed second-team selection last season. He averaged 17.6 points per game for the Cowboys.

Jean beacame the first Cowboy to earn the defensive player of the year award. He also earned a spot on the All-ASC West Division Second Team. He averaged 13.4 points and 10.1 rebounds per game.

James Peters earned honorable-mention All-ASC West Division honors.

Sul Ross State's Sidney Hooper was the MVP for the West Division, Joel McDonald of Concordia-Austin was the freshman of the year and Charles Patillo of Howard Payne was coach of the year.

ALL-ASC WEST DIVISION FIRST TEAM Sidney Hooper G Sul Ross State Sr. Andrews, Texas (AHS) Sean Wheeler P Howard Payne So. San Angelo, Texas Valentino Maxwell F Concordia-Austin So. Killeen, Texas (Harker Heights HS) Patrick Oliver F Mary Hardin-Baylor Sr. Orchard, Texas Zach Pickelman F Hardin-Simmons Jr. New Braunfels, Texas (Canyon HS)

ASC West Division Player of the Year -- Sidney Hooper, G, Sr., Sul Ross State University ASC West Division Freshman of the Year -- Joel McDonald, G, Fr., Concordia University at Austin ASC West Division Defensive Player of the Year -- Mardochee Jean, C, So., Hardin-Simmons University ASC West Division Newcomer of the Year -- C.J. Acosta, F, Jr., Sul Ross State University ASC West Division Coach of the Year -- Charles Patillo, Howard Payne University

ALL-ASC WEST DIVISION FRESHMAN TEAM Joel McDonald G Concordia-Austin Fr. Lubbock, Texas Matt Santa Cruz G Sul Ross State Fr. San Antonio, Texas (So. San Antonio HS) Nate Walton G Texas Lutheran Fr. Houston, Texas (Westside HS) Tim Lytle G Mary Hardin-Baylor Fr. San Antonio, Texas Jesus Banuelos # F Sul Ross State Fr. El Paso, Texas (Jefferson HS) Travis Clark # F Schreiner Fr. Salado, Texas (SHS) Tom Herman # P Howard Payne Fr. Fort Worth, Texas # tie in voting

ALL-ASC WEST DIVISION SECOND TEAM Cliff McGuire P Howard Payne Sr. Haskel, Texas Kendrick Johnson G Howard Payne Jr. Houston, Texas Mardochee Jean C Hardin-Simmons So. Missouri City, Texas (Hightower HS) Finlay Brashears F McMurry Sr. Clarksville, Ark. Matt Nelson P Texas Lutheran Sr. Spring, Texas (Klein HS)

ALL-ASC WEST DIVISION HONORABLE MENTION C.J. Acosta F Sul Ross State Jr. El Paso, Texas (Ysleta HS) Elijah Bryant G McMurry Sr. Sante Fe, N.M. Justin Schwartz F Mary Hardin-Baylor Sr. Belton, Texas Matt Zinser G Howard Payne Sr. Burnet, Texas Rommel Colina F/P McMurry Sr. Caracas, Venezuela Kevin Deans F Schreiner Jr. San Antonio, Texas (John Jay HS) Kevin Guyden G Mary Hardin-Baylor Jr. Houston, Texas Will Hudson G Texas Lutheran Sr. San Antonio, Texas (Churchill HS) Joseph Davis PG Schreiner Sr. Temple, Texas (THS) Jerrod Carpenter P Texas Lutheran Sr. Utopia, Texas (UHS) Alvin Stevens G McMurry Jr. San Antonio, Texas (Highlands HS) Lance Hrncir F Schreiner Sr. Hallettsville, Texas (HHS) James Peters G Hardin-Simmons So. Abilene, Texas (Cooper HS) Jonathan Young F Schreiner Jr. Copperas Cove, Texas (CCHS)