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Carpenter leads way with Player of the Year award for Bluefield Basketball

Sports Information Department BC

February 26, 2012

Bluefield College Athletics

Sports Information Department

Bluefield, Virginia

Asheville, North Carolina- The Applalachian Athletic Conference announced on Saturday the men's basketball season awards for all-AAC recipients for the 2011-2012 season with Bluefield landing three players on the prestigious list. 

Bluefield's Byron Carpenter nabbed the top conference award in the AAC Player of the Year spot. Carpenter has been an integral part of the success in Bluefield basketball over the past season and has improved heavily in the 2011-2012 season. 

Carpenter averaged 21.4 point per game and led the conference in rebounding with an 8.39 average. He currently ranks No. 1 in NAIA Division II in total scoring with 705 points and is sixth in points per game. 

The 6'7" forward from Virginia Beach, Va. was a dominant force inside for the Rams and helped the program finish in 3rd place in the AAC for the regular season. Carpenter's best regular season performance came against NCAA Division II side, Carson Newman, where Byron dropped 38 points. A week later, he would land his best 'conference' performance when he scored 33 points against eventual conference champs, Tennessee Wesleyan. 

Carpenter not only received the Player of the Year award, but with the award, he was placed on the 1st team all-AAC as a result. Alongside Carpenter, Kearsten Marion (Houston, Texas) landed a spot on the all-AAC second team. Marion was 2nd on the team in scoring with 16.5ppg and 3.75 apg. 

Marion played a huge role in the dynamic guard play which made Bluefield so successful this season. During the season, "Houston" hit double-figures in points 15 games in a row during the middle portion of the year. His best performance came on the road when he stung the V-Intermont Cobras for 36 points including 8-13 from behind the arc. 

Marion wasn't the only guard who made an impact for the Rams and the AAC. His flashy, freaky-fast teammate, Andrew Wilson (Cucamonga, Calif.) was the third and final Ram to receive season accolades. The freshman guard made the All-AAC Freshman team for his contribution during his first collegiate season. 

Wilson was third on the team in scoring with 14.4ppg and 3.75apg on the season. Wilson also collected a generous 3.3 rebounds per a game. Wilson's best overall performance came early in the season against Mid-South Conference member, University of the Cumberlands. Wilson dropped 26 points and dished out 9 assists in a tight game. 

The three players will look to help bring a national title this season, when the team heads to the NCCAA Regionals in early March. With a regional win, the Rams can book a ticket the National Championships in Winona Lake, Ind. 

Stay up to date on Rams Athletics by following us on Twitter at @BluefieldRams.

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