Lehigh celebrates 2016-17 season at annual banquet
4/11/2017 3:35:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The Lehigh men's basketball team celebrated its 2016-17 season with the team's annual "Zell" Awards Banquet on Saturday at the Asa Packer Room in the University Center. The banquet celebrated the team's accomplishments during a season that included the Mountain Hawks' second straight Patriot League Championship Game appearance.
Senior Tim Kempton won the team's Athlete of the Year award for the third straight year for his dominant season. He posted career highs in points (20.4) and rebounds (10.4) per game, finishing as one of only two players in the country to average more than 20 points and 10 rebounds per contest. He also had career highs in blocks (41), steals (29) and three-point percentage (41.1 percent). He also set a league record for the most Patriot League Player of the Week awards in a season with seven. Most recently, Kempton scored a game-high 21 points in the Reese's Division I College All-Star Game at the Final Four on Mar. 31. Kempton was named first team All-Patriot League for a third straight season while he was named a Final Five Finalist for the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award given to the best center in the nation, among many awards and honors.
Devon Carter won the Coaches Award, which is given to the student-athlete with significant contributions to the well-being of the team in areas of attitude, improvement or special leadership. Carter continued to serve as a key veteran leader on the team, appearing in 19 games. On the court, he posted a season-high five points in the team's Feb. 4 game against American. He also had a career-high three steals in 14 minutes against Colgate on Feb. 22. Carter's presence was felt as a key senior leader who younger players looked up to.
Freshman guard Jordan Cohen won the Scholar-Athlete Award following an impressive start to his collegiate career, in the classroom and on the court. Cohen currently owns a 3.64 GPA in the College of Arts and Sciences and was named to the Dean's List this fall. On the court, Cohen played in 29 games, adding three starts and averaging 5.4 points, 2.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. His biggest performance came early in the year against Princeton where he posted 20 points on 7-of-8 shooting and six assists.
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One final award was the Sixth Man Award, presented to Senior Assistant Director of Sports Communications and men's basketball Sports Information Director Justin Lafleur.
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The Mountain Hawks finished the season 20-12 overall and 12-6 in the Patriot League, including one stretch of winning eight of nine games against league opponents. Lehigh had strong performances against multiple NCAA Tournament teams, including two wins against Bucknell and wins over Princeton and Mount St. Mary's, along with a close 84-81 loss to eventual Elite Eight participant Xavier. The Mountain Hawks continue to put themselves in contention for a championship, reaching the title game for the fourth time in the last eight years.
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Like Lehigh Men's Basketball on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content, team updates and more.Â
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Story by Austin Vitelli '17
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Senior Tim Kempton won the team's Athlete of the Year award for the third straight year for his dominant season. He posted career highs in points (20.4) and rebounds (10.4) per game, finishing as one of only two players in the country to average more than 20 points and 10 rebounds per contest. He also had career highs in blocks (41), steals (29) and three-point percentage (41.1 percent). He also set a league record for the most Patriot League Player of the Week awards in a season with seven. Most recently, Kempton scored a game-high 21 points in the Reese's Division I College All-Star Game at the Final Four on Mar. 31. Kempton was named first team All-Patriot League for a third straight season while he was named a Final Five Finalist for the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award given to the best center in the nation, among many awards and honors.
Devon Carter won the Coaches Award, which is given to the student-athlete with significant contributions to the well-being of the team in areas of attitude, improvement or special leadership. Carter continued to serve as a key veteran leader on the team, appearing in 19 games. On the court, he posted a season-high five points in the team's Feb. 4 game against American. He also had a career-high three steals in 14 minutes against Colgate on Feb. 22. Carter's presence was felt as a key senior leader who younger players looked up to.
Freshman guard Jordan Cohen won the Scholar-Athlete Award following an impressive start to his collegiate career, in the classroom and on the court. Cohen currently owns a 3.64 GPA in the College of Arts and Sciences and was named to the Dean's List this fall. On the court, Cohen played in 29 games, adding three starts and averaging 5.4 points, 2.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. His biggest performance came early in the year against Princeton where he posted 20 points on 7-of-8 shooting and six assists.
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One final award was the Sixth Man Award, presented to Senior Assistant Director of Sports Communications and men's basketball Sports Information Director Justin Lafleur.
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The Mountain Hawks finished the season 20-12 overall and 12-6 in the Patriot League, including one stretch of winning eight of nine games against league opponents. Lehigh had strong performances against multiple NCAA Tournament teams, including two wins against Bucknell and wins over Princeton and Mount St. Mary's, along with a close 84-81 loss to eventual Elite Eight participant Xavier. The Mountain Hawks continue to put themselves in contention for a championship, reaching the title game for the fourth time in the last eight years.
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Like Lehigh Men's Basketball on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content, team updates and more.Â
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Story by Austin Vitelli '17
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Players Mentioned
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