Ridgnal named Jayhawk East MVP, Tigers land five on all-conference list

Averaging 20.7 points and 12.9 rebounds per game, Cowley College sophomore Dalen Ridgnal was named the Jayhawk Conference Eastern Division Men's Basketball Most Valuable Player. Ridgnal was also named a First Team All-Conference selection for the second straight year.

"To go from being named the Freshman of the Year in the conference to the Most Valuable Player as a sophomore shows the level of talent Dalen is," Cowley head coach Tommy DeSalme said. "His numbers don't lie."

Tiger sophomore Mikel Henderson earned Second Team all-conference honors after averaging 16.4 points and 4.4 assists per game.

"I am so excited for Mikel because he has been one of the better guards in the conference," DeSalme said. "He really steps up his game when we are playing against some of the better competition."

Cevin Clark earned Honorable Mention all-conference honors for the second straight season as he averaged 13.6 points and shot 39.3 percent from three-point range.

"Honorable mention in this league is really good when you put only five players each on the first and second teams," DeSalme said.

Shemarri Allen, who averaged 11.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game also earned honorable mention all-conference recognition as did sophomore Moun'tae Edmundson. After averaging only 2.4 points per game as a freshman, Edmundson averaged 14.3 points and 4.1 rebounds per game as a sophomore. Edmundson leads the Tigers with 85 three-pointers made.

"I am happy for Cevin, Shemarri, and Moun'tae because being mentioned at all is quite an honor," DeSalme said. "Moun'tae is a great example of hard work meeting talent. He developed a true belief in himself this season and is a huge piece of what we do."

Capturing its first Region VI title in 64 years, Cowley (21-4) earned a bye in the first-round of the NJCAA Division I National Championship held April 19-24 in Hutchinson, KS. The Tigers will play their opening game at the national tournament at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 20.

Cowley (21-4), winners of 12 games in a row, will face the winner of the game between No. 9-seed Trinity Valley (TX) and No. 23-seed Brunswick Community College (NC). The game between Trinity Valley (22-4) and Brunswick (15-3) will be played Monday at 12 p.m.

Coffeyville's Blasé Keita (9.6 points, 7.8 rebounds) was named the Jayhawk East Freshman of the Year, while the Red Ravens' Jay Herkelman was named Coach of the Year. After averaging 7.8 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game, Cloud County's David Acosta was named the Jayhawk East Defensive Player of the Year.