The Michigan Community College Athletic Association (MCCAA) has announced its award winners in men's basketball for the 2023-2024 season. There was an overall team of 17 players, plus there were additional awards in each of the three different divisions (Eastern, Northern, and Western). Marian University Ancilla is happy to announce that Sophomores Willie Reece and Ben Jones , as well as Freshman Jayden Sanders, have all earned honors based on their play this season!!
Willie Reece was named to the MCCAA Third Team All-Western Conference!! Reece, a graduate of Pearl River Central High School (MS), played two seasons for the Chargers and has decided to continue his academics and athletics at Indiana University-Columbus next season. The 6-3 guard was instant offense at times this season, plus he made several big plays down the stretch in close games. On the season, he averaged 9.7 points and 2.8 rebounds per game, but during the conference season he upped his scoring to 10.8 points per game, including three 20-point outings. Two of those conference games he played limited minutes due to illness, so if you remove those games, he averaged 12.1 points per game in the other 10 MCCAA contests.
Classmate Ben Jones earned Honorable Mention All-Western Conference honors, as well as a spot on the Western Conference All-Defensive Team!! The well-rounded 6-3 guard graduated from Andrean High School in Merrillville, Indiana, and he spent a 5th Year at Don Bosco Institute in Crown Point, Indiana. This season, Jones averaged 9.2 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. His consistency was noticeable, as he kept the same averages whether it was early in the season or during the conference part of the schedule after Christmas. Additionally, his ability to make contributions at both ends of the floor has been aptly rewarded with the defensive honor.
The lone rookie of the group, Jayden Sanders also earned Honorable Mention All-Western Conference honors!! Jayden came to MUAC from Francis Joseph Reitz High School in Evansville, Indiana. The 6-5 forward finished as the team's 2nd leading scorer at 11.0 points per game, and he led the Chargers with a 6.4 rebound per game average. He grabbed double-figure rebounds in four games this season, and he topped the 20-point mark on three occasions as well.
Charger Head Coach Jeremy Herring added, "It has been an honor to have coached both Willie and Ben these last two seasons. Their representation of the Charger name is something we want in all of our players, and I wish them nothing but success as they move forward in their academic and athletic careers. Jayden was a great addition this season, because he often played much bigger than he's listed. He was good on the boards and defending the paint, plus he showed skill at all levels."
Congratulations gentlemen on an outstanding 2023-2024 season!! MUAC is proud of you for how you have represented yourselves, your team, and Marian University Ancilla these last two years!!
