Davidson senior named player of the year finalist

Davidson senior Jake Cohen was named one of 25 finalists for the 2013 Lou Henson National Player of the Year Award last week.

The award honors the top mid-major player in college basketball.

Cohen, who was voted SoCon Player of the Year by the media last year, averaged 14.9 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game heading into the Wildcats’ regular-season finale against Georgia Southern on Feb. 2.

Cohen, a 6-foot-10 forward, is also Davidson’s all-time leader in blocks.

The Lou Henson Award is presented by CollegeInsider.com and will be announced at a banquet in Atlanta during the NCAA’s Final Four weekend. Norfolk State’s Kyle O’Quinn received the honor in 2012.

Patriots named all-state

Davidson Day basketball players Maya Caldwell and Justin Jordan were named all-state by the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association

Caldwell, an eighth-grader, averaged a double-double for the Lady Patriots, tallying 15.8 points and 11.4 rebounds, as well as 3.0 steals and 2.5 assists per game.

Jordan, a senior, led Davidson Day with 17.4 points and 4.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game.

Hough gets first playoff win in dramatic fashion

Hough’s boys’ basketball team won the program’s first playoff game on a last-second Sanders Poff layup on Feb. 26.

That helped the Huskies defeat I-Meck 4A rival Vance, 59-57. The game was the fourth time the two teams faced each other, splitting the series 2-2.

The Huskies defeated McDowell High 76-54 in the second round of the 4A playoffs on Feb. 27 to earn a third meeting against West Charlotte in the sectional finals.

Wildcats, Huskies lead way at regionals

Lake Norman and Hough combined to qualify 15 wrestlers for the 4A state tournament at last month’s 4A West regional.

The Wildcats were led by regional champions, Conner Kominek (113 pounds) and Cody Karns (120). Teammates Michael Ready (138), Eddie McGrail (145), Ryan Devlin (170), Matt Ready (195), Jackson Dowless (220) and Brendan Latham (285) also reached the 4A state tournament.

Four Huskies, Tanner Russ (138), Jake Efird (152), Palmer Maples (170) and Charles Smith (182), won regional championships. Three others, Austin Powell (106), Steven Owen (132) and Adam Nivens (145) also qualified for states.

Mooresville’s Sam Crisp won the 106-pound regional championship. Jamie Wright (120), Kane Price (138), Jared Brooks (152) and Dontrez Patterson (182) also move on to states.

Hopewell’s Gore Vaughn (182) as well as North Mecklenburg’s Jalen Hill (132) and Marquel Thompson (170) also qualified for states.

At the 2A West regional, Bandys’ Andrew Brotherton (170) and Anthony Christopher (195) won titles. Fellow Trojans Camron Crowe (138) and Zac Whisnant (220) were also state qualifiers.

South Iredell’s Matthew Insogna (106), Jose Lopez (120), John Bustle (152) and Eythan Kramm (160), as well as East Lincoln’s James Daniel (126), Moses Boyter (145), Jeremy Tarleton (170) and Trenton Henderson (195) also made the cut for the 2A state tournament.

This story went to print before the Hough’s third-round basketball game and the state wrestling tournament. For up-to-date postseason updates, visit lknprepsports.blogspot.com.