Sophomore Maurice Hernandez of Central Lakes College was named Most Valuable Player in the Minnesota College Athletic Conference for 2011-12, reported Raider Coach Jim Russell. Maurice was named Player of the Week three times during the season. Maurice, fellow sophomore Kwamaine Johnson and freshman Michael Farrington were named to the All-State team. The trio was also named to the All-Southern Division team. Maurice led the South Division and the NJCAA Division III’s fifth-ranked Raiders with 17.9 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. He also made the top 10 for 3-point field goal percentage and field goal percentage. Michael led the division in assists (7.4) and steals (3.2) per game. Johnson was third in steals (2.2) and seventh in assists (3.1) per game. The three helped the Raiders to a 24-3 regular-season record and the division’s No. 1 seed in the MCAC-Region 13 playoffs this weekend at Anoka-Ramsey. (Results of which will be reported here as soon as available. The tournament is also being shown live via webcast - See earlier Blog item.) They also helped Raiders head coach Jim Russell earn tri-coach of the year honors along with Jason Retzlaff of Fergus Falls and Justin Heckenlaible of Minnesota West.PEARSON HONORED
Sophomore Nikki Pearson of the Central Lakes College Raiders was named to the 2011-12 MCAC All-State and All-Division second teams. She shot 73% from the free throw line and averaged 3.3 assists and 2.4 steals per game this season. She was named the Southern Division Player of the Week ending Feb. 25. Nikki played guard for the Raiders as a two-year starter from Staples-Motley. For the final week of her CLC career she averaged 21 points per game while shooting 45 percent from the field. She connected on 11-of-12 free throws during the week.
