USA South Announces Men's Basketball Awards

(FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.) - The USA South Athletic Conference has announced its 2011-12 All-Conference awards for men's basketball. A total of 21 student-athletes have been named to the USA South All-Conference teams. Christopher Newport University swept the individual awards as Conley Taylor was named Player of the Year, Mike Cherry earned Rookie of the Year honors while their coach, John Krikorian, was named Coach of the Year. Finally, the USA South recognized an All-Sportsmanship Team, consisting of one member from each competing school. All awards are voted on by the men's basketball coach at each institution.

Taylor, a Newport News, Virginia senior guard, led the Conference in scoring, averaging 21.0 points per game this season. He also led the Conference in field goals and free throws made. Taylor added 5.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.6 steals per contest during the regular season. His minutes played and steals each placed him fifth in the league rankings. Taylor earns his third career all-conference honor, garnering First Team All-Conference accolades this season after collecting the same accolades last year and second team honors following the 2009-10 season. Finally, Taylor accumulated four USA South Player of the Week honors this season.

Cherry, a Lewiston, North Carolina freshman guard led all USA South rookies in scoring and steals, averaging 13.1 points and 1.4 steals per game. Cherry's .437 three-point shooting percentage was a USA South-best while his 52 made three-pointers ranked fourth in the league. He added 2.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists per contest during the regular season. Finally, Cherry earns Second Team All-Conference accolades to go along with six USA South Rookie of the Week honors this winter.

Krikorian, in his second season as the head of the Captains, earns his first coach of the year honor. He becomes the first CNU coach since the 2005-06 season to collect the accolades. By amassing the first perfect USA South record (12-0) in 14 years, the Captains claimed their 14th USA South regular season title. Krikorian takes his team into the semifinals of the USA South Men's Basketball Tournament as the top seed.

Player of the Year	Rookie of the Year	Coach of the Year
Conley Taylor Christopher Newport	Mike Cherry Christopher Newport	John Krikorian Christopher Newport

The 2012 USA South Men's Basketball All-Conference Team: