ATLANTA, GA – The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) announced weekly honors for men's and women's basketball on Tuesday, December 5. Spring Hill's
Walter Peggs Jr. was named
Men's Basketball Player of the Week, while Lane's
Darell Johnson took home the title of
Men's Basketball Newcomer of the Week. Spring Hill's
Marta Duda was named
Women's Basketball Player of the Week, and Fort Valley State's
Taylor Addison concluded the lineup, receiving the honor of
Women's Basketball Newcomer of the Week.
MEN'S BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK - Walter Peggs Jr., Spring Hill College
#35 | Guard | Junior | Jackson, Tennessee
Walter Peggs Jr., a talented junior guard for the Spring Hill College Badgers and a native of Jackson, Tennessee, is making waves in college basketball with his exceptional skills. Peggs has been instrumental in his team's success, leading them in scoring against Morehouse with 13 points. However, his extraordinary performance in the nail-biting 94-93 win over the undefeated Clark Atlanta truly highlighted his abilities. In this game, Peggs scored a remarkable 36 points, setting season records with 11 field goals, including eight 3-pointers. He demonstrated remarkable accuracy, shooting 11-19 from the floor and 8-14 from the three-point line.
Peggs' prowess extends beyond these standout games. He is a leader in several crucial statistical categories, including field goals (48), total points (156), an average of 3.62 3-pointers per game, and a total of 29 3-pointers made. His outstanding performances have earned him significant recognition, including Week 1 Newcomer of the Week and Week 2 Player of the Week awards.
Moreover, his consistent excellence is reflected in his current ranking as number one in the NCAA's men's basketball for three-point attempts (G: 9, 3FG: 37, 3FGA: 90).
MEN'S BASKETBALL NEWCOMER OF THE WEEK - Darell Johnson, Lane College
#5 | Forward | Senior | Trenton, New Jersey
Darell Johnson, a senior forward for Lane College, has emerged as a standout player, showcasing his remarkable talent in recent games. Hailing from Trenton, New Jersey, Johnson has been instrumental in leading the Dragons to two significant conference victories against Allen and Albany State. Over the course of the week, he registered impressive double-doubles in both games, a testament to his versatility and skill on the court. Johnson's performance statistics are noteworthy. Averaging 15.3 points per game, he has proven to be a reliable scorer for Lane College. Furthermore, his average of 10.0 rebounds per game highlights his ability to dominate the boards, a crucial aspect for any forward. His contributions in both scoring and rebounding have been pivotal in the Dragons' success.
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK - Marta Duda, Spring Hill College
#12 | Forward | R-Junior | Torun, Poland
Marta Duda, a talented redshirt junior forward for the Spring Hill College Badgers and a native of Torun, Poland, has been making significant strides in her basketball career. In a remarkable performance on Saturday, Duda was instrumental in the Badgers' 77-74 victory over Clark Atlanta, leading the team in scoring with an impressive 19 points, sharing the spotlight with teammate Kellyn Hunter. Her outstanding contributions extend beyond this single game, as she currently ranks second in the conference for double-doubles with 2 and for free throws with 21.
Duda's prowess on the court is further highlighted by her position at fourth in the league for blocks, totaling 5, and sixth in several other key metrics, including blocks per game, free throw percentage, points per game, and defensive rebounds per game. These statistics not only underscore her versatility as a player but also her significant impact on the team's defense and offense.
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL NEWCOMER OF THE WEEK - Taylor Addison, Fort Valley State University
#3 | Guard | Freshman | Baltimore, Maryland
Taylor Addison, a freshman guard for the Fort Valley State Wildcats, has recently emerged as a pivotal player in the team's success. Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, Addison's outstanding performance has been crucial in the Wildcats' consecutive wins in the SIAC West crossover games against Spring Hill College and LeMoyne-Owen. These victories have significantly improved the team's record to 3-2, marking three straight wins.
In these games, Addison's statistical contributions were impressive. She demonstrated remarkable efficiency and skill, hitting 7 of 11 field goals (FGs), including 3 of 5 three-point field goals (3FG). However, she struggled slightly with free throws, making only 2 out of 7. Despite this, she managed to average 9.5 points per game (ppg), totaling 19 points across both games. Beyond scoring, Addison also contributed in other areas, grabbing 3 rebounds, dishing out 2 assists, and making a significant defensive impact with 3 blocks and 7 steals.
Her performance against Spring Hill College was solid, scoring 6 points with 1 rebound, 1 block, and a steal. However, it was in the game against LeMoyne-Owen that Addison truly shone. She played a key role in the team's remarkable comeback, turning a 9-point first-quarter deficit into a 9-point victory (52-43). In this game, Addison was flawless in shooting, making 4 of 4 field goals and 3 of 3 three-pointers, culminating in 13 points. Additionally, she contributed 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks, and an impressive 6 steals.
Addison's performance not only highlights her burgeoning talent but also underscores her potential as a significant player for the Fort Valley State Wildcats in her freshman year. Her ability to impact the game on both ends of the court bodes well for her future and adds a dynamic edge to the Wildcats' play.
About the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC)
The SIAC is a NCAA athletic conference consisting primarily of historically black colleges and universities with headquarters in downtown Atlanta, Georgia. The SIAC includes 15 member institutions (Albany State University, Allen University, Benedict College, Central State University, Clark Atlanta University, Edward Waters University, Fort Valley State University, Kentucky State University, Lane College, LeMoyne-Owen College, Miles College, Morehouse College, Savannah State University, Spring Hill College, and Tuskegee University), which are located within a contiguous seven-state footprint (Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, South Carolina, Tennessee and Ohio). The SIAC sponsors seven men's and six women's sports and is a proud member of the NCAA Division II. For more information, visit
www.thesiac.com.