ARCATA — Humboldt State head men's basketball coach
Steve Kinder has been named National Association of Basketball Coaches West District Coach of the Year, the organization announced Tuesday.
Also honored by the NABC were Humboldt State players
Brian Morris, a first-team All-District selection, and Randy Hunter, a second-team choice. The Lumberjack duo, along with 86 other student-athletes from eight districts, are now eligible for selection to the State Farm Division II All-America teams, also selected by the NABC.
In his first year guiding the program, Kinder directed the Lumberjacks to a 26-4 record. His team claimed the California Collegiate Athletic Association regular season championship, and Kinder was named CCAA Coach of the Year.
Humboldt State ranked as high as No. 3 in the national poll, and No. 2 in the West Region poll. Kinder led the Lumberjacks to their 10th NCAA postseason appearance in the past 11 years.
Morris, the CCAA's Player of the Year, averaged 18.7 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. He also previously earned Daktronics West Region Player of the Year honors. The highlight of Morris' season came when he scored a school-record 50 points against Cal State Monterey Bay on January 13.
Hunter, a first-team all-CCAA award-winner, ranked fifth in the CCAA with 14.8 points and 7.2 rebounds a game. The junior transfer from Citrus College achieved a team-high six double-doubles, and led the Jacks with 22 points in their season finale at the NCAA West Region Championships.
All-NABC West District Team
First Team Second Team
Steven Bennett, Chaminade Davion Berry, CSU-Monterey Bay
Jamar Berry, Central Washington Tsung-Hsein Chang, BYU-Hawaii
Brian Morris, Humboldt State Marcquintice Davis, CSU-Dominguez Hills
Blake Poole, St. Martin's Randy Hunter, Humboldt State
Parrish West, Alaska-Fairbanks Chris Sprinker, Central Washington
Marques Whippy, BYU-Hawaii
Coach of the Year: Steve Kinder, Humboldt State
