Association awards MVP gongs

Smooth mover Luke McGuire and Nardia Humphries have received the major senior awards for the 2019-20 Albany Basketball Association season after helping their respective teams secure the premiership. McGuire claimed his first men’s A-grade most valuable player award after a brilliant season with premiers Knights. McGuire missed four games in the regular season but registered double figures in eight of the 12 matches to poll 32 votes. The 23-year-old hit 27 three-pointers on his way to 126 points at an average of 10.5. Blazers big man Jeff Fitzpatrick was runner-up with 26 votes, with Barking Owls veteran and multiple former winner Justin Benson third. McGuire said the award was more of a team award than individual recognition. “Its always good to win awards but honestly I don’t play for individual awards,” he said. “I played with a young squad at Knights so I’m more of a mentor-coach to them and have taken on a leadership role. “So I dedicate this award to the team and owe it to the boys.” Ambassadors’ Caleb Carman finished fourth and Knights’ Henry Alforque rounded out the top five. McGuire featured in the Albany Advertiser All-Star team in the starting five along with teammates Alforque and Kye Griffiths. Benson and Carman were also named in the starting five, while Railways Tigers shooter Cyrus Upson and experienced Tigers centre Corey Hill were reserves. Humphries claimed her second women’s A-grade MVP award after enjoying a terrific season with Kinjarling Storm in their inaugural season. The 17-year-old reached double figures in six of her 13 games to be the competition’s leading scorer with 143 at an average of 11 per game. The talented utility said the award was a bit of a surprise. “Its pretty good to be recognised as the best player,” she said. “I was a bit shocked really — I wasn’t expecting it because I got a tech foul a few times from the umpires.” Humphries polled 38 votes, ahead of Valkyries’ Weeden and Crystal Blues’ Valerie Corbett on 36. Panthers star Kayla Thomas was third for the second year in a row, while Valkyries youngster Casey Griffiths and Panthers recruit Sheridan Kowald rounded out the top five. Humphries headlined the Albany Advertiser All-Star starting five with teammate Abbi Gibson. Weeden, Corbett and Casey Griffiths were also named in the starting five, with Panthers pair Ella Scamozzi and Kayla Thomas the two reserves. David Arthur Jr claimed the Haydn Kirkwood Trophy for the best under-18 male player in the men’s senior competition. Humphries was also recognised as the best under-18 female player in women’s A-grade. The Reside Family Trophy for services to basketball was awarded to Adrian Masters and the Charlie Upson Memorial junior sportsperson award went to Weeden. Other MVPs were Liam Wesson (men’s B-grade division one), Mikaila Kowald (women’s B-grade division one), Ryan Davies (men’s B-grade division two), Jordan Tindale (men’s B-grade division three), Jessica Leamon (women’s B-grade division two), and Lennon Swann (men’s vets). Albany Advertiser All-Star Men Starting five Henry Alforque (Knights) Luke McGuire (Knights) Justin Benson (Barking Owls) Caleb Carman (Ambassadors) Kye Griffiths (Knights) Reserves Cyrus Upson (Railways Tigers) Corey Hill (Tigers) Albany Advertiser All-Star Women Starting five Indi Weeden (Valkyries) Valerie Corbett (Crystal Blues) Casey Griffiths (Valkyries) Nardia Humphries (Kinjarling Storm) Abbi Gibson (Kinjarling Storm) Reserves Ella Scamozzi (Panthers) Kayla Thomas (Panthers)