Player of the Week
Lauryn Taylor, Francis Marion

A senior forward/center from Blythewood, South Carolina, Lauryn Taylor of Francis Marion started her 2023-24 season by averaging a double-double with 17.0 points and 10.5 rebounds per game in two games for the Patriots this past weekend. Taylor shot 52 percent from the field in the two games and also recorded two assists, one block and one steal. 

Taylor opened the season with 20 points and 12 rebounds in a contest against 14th-ranked Wingate. She also had 14 points and nine rebounds against Coker. Her week allowed her to move into 24th all-time in scoring in Francis Marion women's basketball history with 1,182 career points. 

Defensive Player of the Week
Janiah Shular, Belmont Abbey

A freshman guard/forward from Huntersville, North Carolina, Janiah Shular of Belmont Abbey made a huge impact off the bench in her first two games as a Crusader. 

Shular finished Belmont Abbey’s two wins this past weekend with five steals and one block. She also had five defensive rebounds. Shular averaged 12.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.5 steals per game in the two region victories over Mars Hill and Emory & Henry. 

2023 Conference Carolinas Women’s Basketball Weekly Awards

Week 1 (Nov. 13, 2023)

Player of the Week: Lauryn Taylor, Francis Marion 

Defensive Player of the Week: Janiah Shular, Belmont Abbey

Learn more about all weekly/monthly award winners in Conference Carolinas here.

Player of the Week
Uzziah Dawkins, Converse

A senior guard from Spartanburg, South Carolina, Uzziah Dawkins of Converse averaged 23.0 points, 4.5 assists and 2.5 rebounds in leading Converse to a perfect 2-0 start to the 2023-24 season. 

Dawkins shot 59 percent (16-of-27) from the field overall and 57 percent (4-of-7) from beyond the arc in the two wins. In Converse’s season-opening win over Mars Hill, Dawkins ended his efforts with 17 points, five assists and four rebounds. He also had a steal. He followed that up with 29 points and four assists in a win over Wingate. Dawkins’ 29 points against Wingate was the second-most in a single game in program history. 

Defensive Player of the Week
C.J. Jamison, Converse

A graduate student from Greer, South Carolina, C.J. Jamison of Converse helped propel the Valkyries to the 2-0 start by collecting six steals and 13 defensive boards. 

Jamison overall averaged 16.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 3.0 steals per game in the two region victories over Mars Hill and Wingate. Jamison shot 67 percent (12-of-18) from the field in the two wins. In the win over Mars Hill, Jamison had 18 points, nine rebounds and three steals, while he had 14 points, seven rebounds and three steals in the victory over Wingate. 

2023 Conference Carolinas Men’s Basketball Weekly Awards

Week 1 (Nov. 13, 2023)

Player of the Week: Uzziah Dawkins, Converse

Defensive Player of the Week: C.J. Jamison, Converse

Learn more about all weekly/monthly award winners in Conference Carolinas here.