DAVENPORT —
Despite finishing eighth in the conference, Clinton was one of only four teams to have two players selected to either the first or second team when the Mississippi Athletic Conference released its postseason awards.
“I think that’s obviously a step up for us heading into next season,” Clinton coach Nick Lawrence said. “We have two all-conference guys coming back. It’s good to have that experience and leadership.”
Junior Jalen Jones was one of six first-team selections, while sophomore Brady Ernst earned a selection to the second team.
During conference games, Jones was the league’s leading scorer at 18.8 points a game and fifth in rebounding with 6.5 a game. Jones averaged 19.0 points a game in all contests, second among MAC players, behind only Davenport Assumption senior Billy Daniel, who was named Player of the Year.
“The No. 1 thing about Jalen is he was consistent all year long,” Lawrence said. “He made a ton of progress from last year to this year. He improved his maturity level and on-court skills. His game really developed over the offseason.”
Jones also tied for third during conference play with 60 assists.
“We put a lot of pressure on him,” Lawrence said. “We moved him to (point guard) and he had to run the show. He was the focal point for most team’s defenses. I’m really pleased with him.”
Ernst led the MAC in rebounding — 10.0 a game overall and 9.9 in conference play. He also averaged 11.3 points a game for the season.
“Brady really controlled the glass for us,” Lawrence said. “He led the conference and was one of the best rebounders in the state. We tend to forget he’s only a sophomore and has two full seasons left. What he’s been able to accomplish so far is extraordinary.”
ALL-MISSISSIPPI ATHLETIC CONFERENCE BOYSS BASKETBALL
First team
Jalen Jones, jr. (Clinton); Billy Daniel, sr. (Davenport Assumption); Cortez Seales, so. (North Scott); Cole Clearman, jr. (Bettendorf); Matt Vonderhaar, sr. (Assumption); Justin Randall, sr. (Burlington).
Second team
Brady Ernst, so. (Clinton); Nicholas Baer, jr. (Bettendorf); Kain Arthofer, sr. (Pleasant Valley); Kendall Jacks, jr. (Bettendorf); Austin Esters, jr. (Pleasant Valley); Trey Hollingshed, so. (Davenport Central).
Honorable mention
Assumption — Nick Schebler; Bettendorf — Dylan Sortillo; Burlington — Brandon Mosena; Davenport North — Blain Samuelson, DeMarcus Davis, Connor Moellenbeck; Davenport West — Jerry Myles, Marlon Stewart, Nasir Shabazz; North Scott — Grant Graham, Eric Huber; Muscatine — Luke Rauenbuehler; Pleasant Valley — Conor Bryant, Will Carius.
Player of the Year — Daniel.
Coach of the Year — Curtis Clark (Bettendorf).
Final standings
W L
Bettendorf 16 0
North Scott 13 3
Assumption 12 4
Pleasant Valley 11 5
Dav. Central 7 9
Burlington 6 10
Dav. West 6 10
Clinton 4 12
Muscatine 3 13
Dav. North 2 14
Sophomore standings
W L
Pleasant Valley 15 1
North Scott 13 3
Bettendorf 12 4
Assumption 12 4
Clinton 8 8
Muscatine 6 10
Dav. Central 5 11
Dav. West 5 11
Burlington 4 12
Dav. North 0 16
Sports
Related Photos
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Jalen Jones, a junior for Clinton High School, has been named to the All-Mississippi Athletic Conference first team in boys basketball. Jon Gremmels/Clinton Herald
Discussion
March 5, 2013
All-MAC honors to CHS pair
Jones named to first team
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