Anderson's Mollenhauer, Newberry's Gibson Named South Atlantic Conference Basketball Scholar-Athletes of the Year

ROCK HILL, S.C. (TheSAC.com) – Anderson's Alexy Mollenhauer was voted the South Atlantic Conference women's basketball Scholar-Athlete of the Year, while Newberry's Luke Gibson earned the men's honor, the Conference office announced today. 

The South Atlantic Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year award is presented annually to one student-athlete in each of the Conference's championship sports, and is voted on by the SAC's Faculty Athletic Representatives Committee. The winners are selected based on their achievements in academics, athletics, service and leadership.

Mollenhauer, a junior guard, has a perfect 4.00 GPA in English/secondary English education. She has earned numerous accolades, both athletic and academic, in her third campaign with the Trojans.  In the classroom, she was a 2018-19 a Google Cloud Academic All-America® Division II Women's Basketball First Team selection, a Google Cloud Academic All-District® honoree, as well as being a three-time Dean's List selection.

On the court, she was named SAC Player of the Year and Tournament MVP. She was named D2CCA Southeast Region Player of the Year, was a D2CCA First Team All-America, and WBCA All-America. The six-time SAC AstroTurf Player of the Week eclipsed the 1,000-point mark, recorded 22 double-doubles, and pulled down 369 rebounds. Mollenhauer started in all 33 games and averaged 34.1 minutes, 19.9 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game to go along with 43 blocks and 39 steals.

"We are obviously extremely proud of Alexy and the great year that she and her Trojans teammates have enjoyed," said Anderson head coach Jonathon Barabaree. "I will say that this award for her could be one of my favorites; mainly because it truly represents what a complete package this young lady is on and off the court, and most importantly in the classroom."

A native of Lindale, Texas, Mollenhauer is active on and off of the court in the Anderson community. She has served in the children's ministry at her local church for two years. She volunteers at two schools, Calhoun Academy of the Arts and Nevitt Forest Elementary, reading to the elementary students. Mollenhauer also participated in this year's Martin Luther King Jr. Day service project and has helped with numerous girls basketball summer camps hosted at Anderson.

Gibson is a junior accounting major with a 3.98 grade point average from Albemarle, N.C. He is a three-time Dean's List selection, a two-time SAC Commissioner's Honor Roll selection, a Google Cloud Academic All-District® pick and a Google Cloud Academic All-America® honoree. Gibson played in all 28 games in 2018-19, scoring 11.2 points per game with a team high 29 steals. He scored in double figures 19 times with three 20-plus point games, including a career-high 21 points twice.  

"Luke has been the true definition of a student-athlete during his time here," said Newberry head men's basketball coach Dave Davis. "We are extremely proud of him and all of his achievements, he is very deserving of this award."

In addition to his success on the basketball court and in the classroom, Gibson has been an active member of the community. He volunteers at the Newberry Academy Spanish Academy, was a referee-coach for the Law Enforcement & Youth Basketball Tournament, volunteers at Gallman Elementary and is a leader in the Newberry Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He has spent time each of the last three years working with the Special Olympics basketball teams in Newberry and he was selected to participate in the NCAA Division II APPLE Institute where he helped to create and implement an action plan for student-athlete wellness and substance abuse prevention at Newberry.   

SAC Women's Basketball Scholar-Athlete Finalists

Caroline Averette, Wingate
Shelby Britten, Newberry
Sydney Duggins, Lincoln Memorial
Elizabeth Kincaid, Coker
Kendall Toineeta, Lenoir-Rhyne

SAC Men's Basketball Scholar-Athlete Finalists

Chase Brewington, Coker
Caleb Hodnett, Tusculum
Charlie Hovasse, Wingate

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