Sports
Joiner Awarded Mid-South Conference Player Of The Week Honors
By: Justin Holbrock
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Rio Grande sophomore guard D.D. Joiner is the Mid-South Conference Men’s Basketball Player of the Week, conference officials announced Monday.
The weekly honor is the second time a Rio Grande player has won the award as junior forward Josh Reagan won back on Jan. 6.
Last season, Joiner led the RedStorm in scoring and also won Freshman of the Year honors in the MSC. After beginning the season with a nagging foot injury, Joiner has proven that he is back to full health.
Joiner averaged an impressive 23.5 points and eight rebounds in wins against No. 14 St. Catharine and Campbellsville last week. Joiner’s performances in both games helped the RedStorm extend their winning streak to six games as they are currently tied for first place in the MSC with a 6-1 conference record and 13-5 overall.
“He’s earned it. He’s been a great team player,” head coach Ken French said. “He’s sacrificed for the team and all the young man wants to do is win. He wants to put this team in a position to win. He doesn’t care if he scores he just wants to put his team in the position to get the job done.”
In the 71-68 upset over nationally ranked St. Catharine, Joiner scored 23 points and hit a season-high five 3-pointers with 69 percent shooting from the field. He also pulled down nine rebounds and added three steals in the win.
Two days later, Joiner knocked down 24 points with a season-high five assists leading his team to an exhilarating 132-121 double overtime victory over Campbellsville.
On average, Joiner shot 56.3 percent from beyond the arc, which was just under the 57.6 percent that he shot from the field.
Joiner is now averaging just over 10 points and 5.4 rebounds a game. The RedStorm hit the road and return to action on Thursday night to square off against No. 1 Pikeville to determine first place in the MSC.