Courtesy University of Arkansas at Fort Smith Athletics Department
Three UAFS men’s basketball players have earned Heartland Conference honors for their performances during this past regular season – seniors Djordje Stojanovic and Dijon Farr and junior Jake Toupal.
Stojanovic, a 6-foot-8 power forward, was named First Team All-Conference. The Lazarevac, Serbia, native led the Lions in rebounding (5.9 rpg) and was second on the team in scoring (12.1 ppg). He shot 46 percent from the field (95 for 209) and shot 41 percent from 3-point range (44 for 107).
Toupal, a 6-foot-3 guard, was named Second Team All-Conference. The Broken Arrow, Okla., native led the team in scoring (13.2 ppg) and averaged 3.7 rebounds per game. He tied for second on the team in steals (32). He shot 41 percent from the field (98 for 238) and 38 percent from 3-point range (52 for 137) and led the team with 52 made 3-pointers.
Farr, a 6-7 guard, was named Honorable Mention All-Conference. The Pacolet, S.C., native was third on the team in scoring (11.2 ppg) and second in rebounding (5 rpg). He shot 43 percent from the field (105 for 246) and 32 percent from 3-point range (24 for 74).
He also was named Defensive Player of the Year after leading the Lions in steals (33) and blocked shots (15).
The trio helped lead UAFS (15-11) to its first conference title since becoming an active member of NCAA Division II. The Lions are the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament, which they will host on Friday and Saturday at the Stubblefield Center.
UAFS will play No. 4 seed Texas A&M International at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. The championship game will be at 4 p.m. on Saturday with the champion earning an automatic bid to the NCAA Division II South Central Region Tournament.
ALL-HEARTLAND CONFERENCE
FIRST TEAM
POSITION PLAYER CLASS SCHOOL
Center Will Reinke Sr. Oklahoma Christian
Forward/Center Kevin Kotzur Sr. St. Mary’s
Guard/Forward Shamar Acuay Sr. Newman
Forward Nick Fox Sr. Dallas Baptist
Forward Djordje Stojanovic Sr. UAFS
SECOND TEAM
POSITION PLAYER CLASS SCHOOL
Guard Takoby Jackson Sr. McMurry
Guard Jake Toupal Jr. UAFS
Guard/Forward Shimeek Johnson Sr. St. Edward’s
Guard Matthew Culliver, Jr. Jr. Texas A&M International
Guard Daryell Taylor Sr. St. Mary’s
HONORABLE MENTION
Jonathan Perry, Dallas Baptist; Darrell Traylor, Newman; Dijon Farr, UAFS; Marquis Cuyler, Newman; Moses Sundufu, St. Mary’s; Xavier Martin, Texas-Permian Basin; Johnel Gray, Texas A&M International; Kendre Talley, Oklahoma Christian
INDIVIDUAL HONORS
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Kevin Kotzur, St. Mary’s
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
Matthew Culliver, Jr., Texas A&M International
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Dijon Farr, UAFS
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Jonathan Perry, Dallas Baptist
COACH OF THE YEAR
Mark Potter, Newman
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