Four Men's Basketball Players Earn All Region Honors
LANSING, Mich- Great Lakes Christian College Men's Basketball team had four members recognized All Region for the NCCAA Mideast Region. All Region is voted on by all the coaches in the region. Trent Temple led the way for the Crusaders earning Co-Player of the Year and 1st Team All Region. Isiah Reed joined Temple on the 1st Team, which was Reed's third straight 1st Team All Region nod. TQ Belcher and Evan Anderson both received Honorable Mention honors. Coach Westerlund said this about all region awards, "We have a lot of really talented players in our program. It is always great when we can have individuals recognized. We also know it is not possible without everyone in the program. I am very proud of these four guys and their efforts being recognized. They will be the first to tell you that these awards are awesome but not possible without their teammates. Our team theme this year is Ubuntu which means I am because we are which means, I can only be all I can be if you are all you can be. We realize our individual success is tied to each person in this program. I believe our guys live out Ubutnu daily and these awards are a product of Ubuntu."
Trent Temple: Co Player of the Year/ 1st Team All Region- Trent Temple was voted top player in the region along with Johnson University's Coby Jones. Last season Temple earned Honorable Mention honors. In the 20-21 campaign Temple averaged 17.8 ppg, 4.7 rpg, and 3.3 apg while shooting 53 percent from the floor. Temple was in double figures 25 different times including eleven 20 point games. Temple dynamic play in the open floor and his ability to physically dominate the game caught the attention of the region coaches. Coach Westerlund had this to say about Temple, "Trent is one of one. There is not a more fluid athlete at our level. Trent is very special, he brings so much to the table for our program. I know this was a goal of Trent's last year especially after we all felt like he was snubbed the previous year. I am thrilled he is getting recognized as the big time player that I know he is. The best thing about Trent is his teachable spirit and his desire to get better. Trent wants to be challenged. I believe Trent's best basketball is still ahead of him. I am so proud of Trent, and I am thankful I get to coach him everyday."
Isiah Reed: 1st Team All Region- Isiah Reed was once again recognized as one of the top players in the Mideast with his third straight 1st Team All Region nod. Reed has been a standard of consistency during his time with the Crusaders. This season was Reed's best year statisically to date averaging 16.8 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 3.5 rpg and 1.9 spg. Reed known for his three point shooting, shot a career best 42 percent from three this season leading the country in 3FGM and 3FGM per game. Reed was in double figures 24 different times for the Crusaders and notched eight 20 point games including a career best 36 points against Spring Arbor. Coach Westerlund on Reed, "Zay has accomplished so much in his career here at GLCC, I am glad he is getting recognized again for the player he is. Zay has proven time and time again he is one of the best guards in the country, and this year is no different. I am fortunate I am his coach, I am very proud of him. Our program would not be where it is now without Isiah."
TQ Belcher: Honorable Mention- TQ Belcher the Junior Guard out of Toledo, OH was recognized as an Honorable Mention member of the Mideast Region. Belcher was 6th in the region in scoring averaging 15.9 ppg while chipping in 5.4 rpg and 1.4 spg. Belcher came in at the 2nd semester for the Crusaders and provided a big offensive spark for GLCC scoring double figures in 15 of 17 games. Coach Westerlund said this about Belcher, "TQ is a high level player. I believe he is one of the best guards in the entire country. He is a big time shot maker, and has brought so much to our team. I believe he is a big reason why we we won 12 of our final 14 games, everyone recognizes TQ ability to score the basketball but TQ also brings a ton to us defensively. His energy is contagious. TQ is committed to his craft, he is constantly in the gym working on his game. I am excited how he continues to grow and get better. I am confident that if people don't know his name yet, they will very soon. I am proud of TQ and the work he has done to get to this point."
Evan Anderson- Honorable Mention- Evan Anderson, Senior Forward, earned Honorable Mention for the Crusaders. Anderson the man in the middle turned it on for GLCC in the second half of the season scoring in double figures in 6 of the last 9 games including snagging two double doubles. Anderson averaged 5.8 ppg and 5.3 rpg on 56 percent from the floor. Anderson also brings a ton to Crusaders defensively protecting the rim and altering shots with his 6-8 frame. Westerlund had this to say about Anderson, "Ev is so deserving of this. He has worked extremely hard during his time here at GLCC. He is tremendous student and team player. Ev does a lot for our team that doesn't get recognized so for him to get recognized is really rewarding for me as a coach. I am grateful to be his coach."
Full All Region Team:
1st Team
- Trent Temple POY
- Coby Jones POY (Johnson)
- Isiah Reed
- Bailey Benham (Boyce)
- Kellum Bridgeforth (Grace)
2nd Team
- Kereion Douglas (CUH)
- Miles Long (Johnson)
- Chris Rawlins (CUH)
- Spencer Smith (Welch)
- Antoine Darby (CUH)
