March 16, 2005

ABILENE, Texas - Hardin-Simmons basketball players Calvin Nite and Diana Martinez were named to the D3hoops.com All-South Region teams as announced by the site. Nite was named a first-teamer and Martinez was named to the third team.

Nite, who was the American Southwest Conference West Division Player of the Year, ASC West Newcomer of the Year and first-team All-ASC, averaged 17.5 points for the Cowboys and led them to the ASC Tournament for the first time. He also helped the Cowboys go from 7-18 last season to 19-8 this year.

It is the second straight year that Martinez has earned all-region honors. She led the Cowgirls to a 22-4 mark and the ASC West title. She averaged 15.6 points, 6.8 rebounds and had 126 assists on the season. She is the school's all-time leader in assists and finished second all-time in steals. She finished her career with a 102-10 mark.

Players were nominated for these awards by the Sports Information Directors at the various schools, who were contacted several times as the season wound down to remind them to make their players eligible. A record 606 players were nominated nationwide.

The ballot was then made available to SIDs, who voted for 10 players in their region. SIDs voted for six frontcourt players and four backcourt players and the top vote-getters at each position were named to the All-Region team.

"We are thankful to the Sports Information Directors across Division III who took the time to nominate and vote to provide broader recognition to these worthy student-athletes," said D3hoops.com publisher Pat Coleman. "Participation continues to grow each year and that only strengthens the team."

For the complete teams please visit http://www.d3hoops.com/all-region/