Basketball England announced the NBL Division 2 South 23/24 Season award winners on Wednesday afternoon with a big haul for Team Solent Kestrels in this year’s categories.
Isa Brandon takes both the Defensive Player of the Year and All Conference 1st Team selection, whilst Russ Gariepy also joins him on the All Conference 1st team. Ashley Briggs and Elliot Dadds receive All Conference British 1st team honours, whilst the club and all the volunteers who pour so much into our game days received huge recognition, winning the best game day experience. Last but by no means least Director of Coaching Matt Guymon has been named the Coach of the Year for Division 2 South.
Brandon led the conference in scoring with 23.5ppg whilst averaging 9.4 rpg which was 3rd in the conference, he was also 2nd in the conference in spg with 2.8 per outing. His impact was felt all season long as he played all but 1 game for the Kestrels. Russ Gariepy who also featured in all but 1 match up, was 5th in the conference for 3pt field goal percentage whilst averaging a little over 16 points per game, 5.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists.
British contingent Ash Briggs and Elliot Dadds provided a little bit of everything for the Kestrels also, Briggs posted 11.3 ppg whilst pulling down a little over 9 boards a game. For Dadds it was business as usual providing the defensive impact at multiple positions, also adding 13.4 ppg, 6.5 rpg and leading the team in assists with 3.9 per game.
Matt Guymon is no stranger to Coach of the Year awards, picking up 3 COTY awards in NBL Division 1 previously. This season he led the team to a 21-1 record and a playoff final berth where they’ll match up with MK Breakers for a third time this season.
He added; “It has been a great season for our Men’s senior team where we have enjoyed a lot of on court success and that is reflected in the recognition that a number of our players have received in these awards. I want to extend a special thank you to all of our staff here at the programme and the fans who provide such an exciting and engaging game day experience.”
We want to congratulate everyone who has received awards as well as everyone involved in our game day experience, from volunteers, to cheerleaders, to court managers, to the Sonar TV stream team and everyone else in between.