March 2, 2009
CHICAGO- UIC senior guard Josh Mayo (Merrillville, Ind./Merrillville H.S.) was named to the 2008-09 All-Horizon League First Team, the league office announced on Monday, March 2.
Senior center Scott VanderMeer (Dyer, Ind./Lake Central H.S.) also received postseason accolades by earning a spot on the league's All-Defensive Team for the third consecutive year.
Mayo, who was named to the All-Horizon League First Team for the second straight season, led the conference in scoring for most of the year. He completed the regular season with a team-leading average of 16.9 ppg, which is currently good for second in the league.
The fourth-year sharpshooter also ranks second in the league in free throw percentage (86.2%), third in three-point field goals made (2.5 3PT FG per game), seventh in assists (3.4 apg) and 10th in three-point efficiency (38.5%).
Mayo now ranks as UIC's fourth all-time leading scorer with 1,680 career points.
VanderMeer is the league's leading rebounder (8.9 rpg) and shot-blocker (2.6 bpg). The 7-foot center broke the Horizon League's record for career blocks earlier this season and has elevated the mark to 271 rejections heading into the postseason. He now owns the league records for career blocks, single-season blocks (111 in 2006-07) and single-game blocks (nine, vs. Cleveland State, 1/27/07).
VanderMeer, who is also averaging 10.6 ppg, is the first three-time league All-Defensive Team selection in school history.
The Flames take on Youngstown State in the opening round of the 2008-09 Speedway Horizon League Men's Basketball Championship this Tuesday, March 3 in Youngstown, Ohio at 6:00 p.m. Central. The game will air live on the radio in Chicago on 560 AM WIND.
2008-09 HORIZON LEAGUE MEN'S BASKETBALL ALL-LEAGUE TEAMS AND SPECIALTY AWARD WINNERS
All-League First Team
Matt Howard (So., F), Butler
J'Nathan Bullock (Sr., F), Cleveland State
Ryan Tillema (Sr., G), Green Bay
Gordon Hayward (Fr., F), Butler
Josh Mayo (Sr., G), UIC
All-League Second Team
Cedric Jackson (Sr., G), Cleveland State
Todd Brown (Jr., G), Wright State
Rahmon Fletcher (So., G), Green Bay
Tone Boyle (Jr., G), Milwaukee
Urule Igbavboa (Sr., F), Valparaiso
All-Newcomer Team
Gordon Hayward (Fr., F), Butler
Shelvin Mack (Fr., G), Butler
Tone Boyle (Jr., G), Milwaukee
James Eayrs (Jr., F), Milwaukee
DeAndre Mays (Jr., G), Youngstown State
All-Defensive Team
Scott VanderMeer (Sr., C), UIC
Cedric Jackson (Sr., G), Cleveland State
Terry Evans (Sr., F), Green Bay
Matt Howard (So., F), Butler
Will Graham (Sr., G), Wright State
Player of the Year: Matt Howard, Butler
Newcomer of the Year: Gordon Hayward, Butler
Defensive Player of the Year: Cedric Jackson, Cleveland State
Sixth Man of the Year: Ryan Tillema, Green Bay
Coach of the Year: Brad Stevens, Butler
NOTE: All-League and All-Newcomer awards are voted upon by Horizon League head coaches and sports information directors plus selected media. The All-Defensive awards and Sixth Man of the Year are selected by head coaches only.
