Two Mocs basketball players named All-SoCon
The Chattanooga Mocs basketball team got some good news last week with word that Malachi Smith and David Jean-Baptiste earned All-SoCon honors for the first time in their careers.
Smith claimed first team honors via the coaches list and second on the media vote. Jean-Baptiste lived up to his preseason billing making the second team on both. It’s the first time since 1994 that both starting guards earned such accolades with Chad Copeland (first team) and Gary Robb (second team) capturing voter imaginations 27 years ago.
Smith averaged 16.9 points, 8.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists per contest. He’s on pace to be the first Moc to lead the team in all three categories in a single season. He was exceptional in SoCon play averaging 16.6 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game while shooting 47.5 percent overall and a league-leading 45 percent from 3-point range.
Jean-Baptiste combined with Smith for the most potent backcourt combo in the league. He added 16.5 points per game shooting 39.2 percent from long range and ranking among the leaders in accuracy and quantity making 2.76 per contest.
The yearly honorees were a match on both the coaches and media ballots. Isaiah Miller swept Player of the Year while ETSU’s Damari Monsanto was Freshman of the Year. Dan Earl from VMI was the Coach of the Year with the league mentors tabbing Miller as the top defensive performer.
The Lookout Mountain Chapter of Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), northwest Georgia, will welcome former University of Georgia and University of Miami head football coach Mark Richt and wife, Katharyn, as the keynote speakers at their annual spring banquet on Friday, April 30.
To meet COVID-19 guidelines, this year’s fundraiser will be a tailgate-type event at the open-air First Horizon Pavilion in Chattanooga. All proceeds will assist the FCA in the Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade and Walker County schools and communities.
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the 1961 charter of FCA in the tri-state area.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled than to have both Coach Richt and his wife to speak this year as we celebrate a local FCA milestone,” Area Director, Greg Spradlin stated. “Mark is a modern day coach of integrity like the Tom Landry’s that spoke to Chattanooga crowds years ago.
“Since that time, female athletes have gained more respect in sports and we anticipate Katharyn to reflect on that importance, and how winning at home results in wins on the field.”
Table sponsorships, program ads, general admission seats are available to support and attend the celebration. Tables include eight seats and passes to meet the Richts. The meal will be catered by famed Atlanta-based restaurant, The Varsity.
For details go to lookoutmountainfca.org, or call (706) 764-1954.