Big South announces postseason basketball awards

The Big South announced its postseason awards Monday, and senior Chad Gray was the lone representation from league champion Coastal Carolina.

Sophomore Sam McLaurin was recognized for academics, but Gray was the only Chanticleer to make first or second team all-Big South.

Liberty's Jesse Sanders was named the conference's player of the year, while Flames coach Dale Layer was named coach of the year.

CCU coach Cliff Ellis admitted he was a bit surprised his team wasn't more represented.

"Somewhat surprised, disappointed that we didn't have more, but proud of those that got the accolades," Ellis said. "Chad getting all-conference and Sam getting all-academic, proud of that. But at the same time, we're focusing on what we've got to do, and that may be some good locker room fodder to get the team fired up."

Suspended junior guard Desmond Holloway, meanwhile, was not on the ballot. Big South assistant commissioner Mark Simpson said the member institutions determine who is nominated, so it was Coastal's call not to have Holloway on the ballot.

First-Team All-Conference

Jesse Sanders, G, Jr., Liberty

Austin Kenon, G, Sr., VMI

Chad Gray, F, Sr., Coastal Carolina

Jamarco Warren, G, Sr., Charleston Southern

Matt Dickey, G, Jr., UNC Asheville

Second-Team All-Conference

Nick Barbour, G, Jr., High Point

Kelvin Martin, F, Jr., Charleston Southern

John Brown, F, R-Jr., Liberty

J.P. Primm, G, Jr., UNC Asheville

Evan Gordon, G, Soph., Liberty

All-Freshman Team

D.J. Covington, F/C, VMI

Sheldon Strickland, G, Charleston Southern

Luke Davis, G, Gardner-Webb

Rodney Glasgow, G, VMI

Jareal Smith, G, Radford

All-Academic Team

Sam McLaurin, F, R-Soph., Coastal Carolina

Jon Moore, G, Sr., Gardner-Webb

David Campbell, G, Sr., High Point

Jeremy Anderson, G, R-Jr., Liberty

Walt Allen, F, R-Sr., Presbyterian College

Evan Faulkner, G, Soph., Radford

Matt Dickey, G, Jr., UNC Asheville

Player of the Year

Jesse Sanders, G, Jr., Liberty

Freshman of the Year

D.J. Covington, F/C, VMI

Defensive Player of the Year

Kelvin Martin, F, Jr., Charleston Southern

Coach of the Year

Dale Layer, Liberty

Scholar-Athlete of the Year

Walt Allen, F, R-Sr., Presbyterian College