By Kyle Kuhlman/OCCAC Sports Information
SPRINGFIELD, Ohio – First-time recipient Jarrell Giles (Hocking College) joins three repeat winners as the OCCAC Basketball Players of the Week for Jan. 14-20. While Giles brings home the men’s D-III honor, Cuyahoga’s James Anderson, Jr., earns the D-II nod. Sarah Pothast from Edison State corrals her second straight D-II recognition and Whitney Staggs of Columbus State is the women’s D-III winner.
SARAH POTHAST
Edison State Community College | D-II Women
Pothast registered a 24-point, 11-rebound double-double in the Chargers lone contest, an 81-41 blitzing on the road at Clark State. She dropped in 8-of-14 from both the floor and the charity stripe. Five of her 11 boards were on the offensive glass, and she added a steal and block while taking care of the ball with one turnover in 30 minutes logged.
This marks Edison State’s sixth weekly women’s award of 2018-19.
WHITNEY STAGGS
Columbus State Community College | D-III Women
Staggs pushed the Cougars to a 2-0 week, defending the home turf twice against OCCAC foes. She averaged an impressive line of 27.5 points, 12.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 3.0 blocks per game. Staggs opened the week by doing it all vs. Lorain County, racking up 34 points, 17 boards (10 offensive), seven assists, six steals and two blocks. She then came back in a tight triumph (73-69) over Cuyahoga with 21 points, seven rebounds and three assists.
JAMES ANDERSON, JR.
Cuyahoga Community College | D-II Men
Anderson finds himself back in the world of weekly honors after earning the same distinction in the season’s opening week (Nov. 5). For his latest accolade, Anderson tallied averages of 17.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists in guiding the Triceratops to a pair of conference wins. He dropped in a trio of three-pointers and a total of 20 points to aid his squad’s dismissal of Columbus State in Columbus. It marked the Cougars first OCCAC defeat and vaulted Cuyahoga into sole possession of first place in the standings.
JARRELL GILES
Hocking College | D-III Men
Giles shot nearly 60% (19-32) from both the floor and beyond the arc (8-14) while hitting all four foul shots during the Hawks’ two league wins. He averaged 25.0 points while committing just two turnovers in 70 minutes played. Giles sunk 4-of-7 three-pointers in both contests. He is the second Hawk to be bestowed conference honors this season, following in the footsteps of Azende Johnson (Nov. 12).