Bobcat Men Dole out Awards

[GOKATS]

From MSU-

BOZEMAN, Mont. – Branden Johnson survived some tough times in the Bobcat men’s basketball program, and this week he was rewarded. The senior forward earned the MSU men’s basketball Bobcat Award for his commitment, leadership and class as part of the team’s post-season banquet on Sunday.



Johnson averaged 10.2 points and 5.6 rebounds per game as a senior, helping lead the Bobcats to their best conference season since 2002. MSU coach Brad Huse lauded his senior. “Branden had a great senior season and it was well-earned,” Huse said. “To succeed on the court Branden had to battle through numerous obstacles, and he was always up to the challenge and never once backed down or took the path of least resistance. His career is exactly what you’d hope to see from all of your student-athlete’s in that there was consistent growth culminating with an outstanding senior season.”



The senior from Yakima, Wash., finished his career among MSU’s top 15 players in three-pointers made and blocked shots, but stood out off the floor, according to Huse. “In addition to his achievements on the floor, Branden was a great representative of Bobcat athletics off it as he graduated in four years with high marks. Branden exemplifies everything I expect from student-athletes in our program: high character, over-achievement academically and athletically, and self responsibility. The Bobcat Award couldn’t go to a more deserving individual.”



Sophomore center Cody Anderson (Canyon Country, Calif.) earned MSU’s Community Service Award. “Like a majority of the student-athlete’s in the athletic department, Cody and his teammates have done a great job of connecting and donating time in the community,” Huse said. “This award could have gone to a number of our student-athlete’s, but Cody’s efforts were appreciated and recognized as a leader in our program.”



Junior forward Bobby Howard from Great Falls was known for his offensive efficiency, leading the Bobcats with 14.3 points per game, but the Great Falls native shined defensively, as well. He earned MSU’s Charges Taken Award. “We pride ourselves in stepping up and making tough plays and Bobby did a great job this season in taking charges,” Huse said. “Bobby had a great offensive year of course, but his defense and rebounding continue to improve and the fact that he led our team in charges taken says a lot about his focus on that end of the floor.”



Erik Rush’s physical strength manifested itself in numerous ways on the court, and also earned the junior forward from San Jose, Calif., the Bobcat Strength Award. “When we asked Strength Coach Doug Samuelson who should be the recipient of this award, he had a difficult time picking a particular player, but eventually he singled Erik out as our most consistent and persistent worker in the weight room,” Huse said. “Erik’s strength and confidence has risen each season with us and we’re looking forward to a big senior season from him.”



An MSU Presidential Scholar, Steven Davis (freshman, Billings) raised the program’s academic profile when he arrived on campus. Sunday, he earned the team’s Academic Award. “Our fall team GPA was the highest it’s been in my four years at Montana State and the highest in a long time in this program, and Steven Davis was at the top of the class with all A’s,” Huse said.



The league’s most impactful defensive player over the past two seasons, Will Bynum (Alamogordo, N.M.) earned MSU’s Defensive Player of the Year Award. “Will had numerous highlights over the course of his two years at Montana State and at the forefront of that would be the plays he made on the defensive end of the floor,” Huse said. “A lot of those plays led to highlight type finishes on the offensive end, During the conference season we led the Big Sky in field goal percentage defense and 3-point field goal percentage defense and Will was a big factor in that.”



Senior guard Marquis Navarre was probably the most improved player in the Big Sky this season, and earned that team award. “Marquis probably made the biggest leap in the league in terms of improvement and it showed in his being named to the all-league team. Marquis was one of the hardest workers in practice and that hard work paid off with an outstanding senior season.”



MSU’s All-Big Sky choice, Bobby Howard led the Bobcats in all ways in 2010, earning the program’s MVP Award. “Bobby was our most consistent offensive threat and he became one of the top post players in the Big Sky and he was rewarded by being named first team All-conference. When we needed a basket we worked hard to get the ball to him. He had a very consistent season and became even more effective as we progressed through conference play.”

-msu-

[duelalumnicat]

Does this mean that walk-on Steven Davis will remain with the Bobcats?

[mslacat]

Does this mean that walk-on Steven Davis will remain with the Bobcats?

everything I have heard indicates Davis will be returning

[duelalumnicat]

Mslacat, thanks!

[CelticCat]

BJ was always one of my favorite players. It was kind of unfortunate for him we never really had a dominate big man, which would have allowed him to be more of a perimeter PF than he was allowed to be.

Grats to all these players, especially the seniors!