Player of the Week
Lauryn Taylor, Francis Marion

A senior forward/center from Blythewood, South Carolina, Lauryn Taylor of Francis Marion captured her second straight weekly award by collecting 26 points and 11 rebounds in an 82-70 road win at Newberry on Wednesday, Nov. 15. 

Taylor finished the Patriot win shooting 56 percent (10-of-18) from the field overall. She knocked down three of her five three-point attempts (60 percent). Taylor also dished out four assists and had two blocks. 

Defensive Player of the Week
Sydney Wyatt, Emmanuel

A senior guard from Simpsonville, South Carolina, Sydney Wyatt collected an impressive seven steals and 24 defensive rebounds in three games last week. She averaged a double-double on the week with 16.7 points, 10.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.3 steals per game. 

Wyatt's best performance last week came in just missing on a triple-double in Emmanuel's strong non-conference win over USC Aiken. She finished the Emmanuel win with 28 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists. Wyatt also had three steals. 

2023 Conference Carolinas Women’s Basketball Weekly Awards

Week 2 (Nov. 20, 2023)

Player of the Week: Lauryn Taylor, Francis Marion 

Defensive Player of the Week: Sydney Wyatt, Emmanuel

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

Player of the Week
KJ Jones II, Emmanuel

A senior guard from Atlanta, Georgia, KJ Jones II of Emmanuel put on a show in being chosen as the Small College Basketball Champions Classic Most Valuable Player. Against some of the best competition in all of NCAA Division II men's basketball, Jones averaged 29.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.0 steals per game.

In the first game of the tournament held in Aberdeen, South Dakota, Jones helped Emmanuel knock off host and nationally 21st-ranked Northern State, 65-53. Jones concluded the Emmanuel victory with 28 points, three rebounds and three assists. He shot a scorching 67 percent (10-of-15) from the field and knocked down all seven of his free throw attempts. 

Jones propelled Emmanuel past perennial power and top-ranked Northwest Missouri State, 75-72, in its second game of the tournament. The national scoring leader in the previous season, Jones showed why against the Bearcats by helping to eclipse a 13-point deficit in the eventual three-point win while also scoring 30 points. He also had five rebounds, three assists and two steals. Jones set the new tournament record for free throws made in the game with 17. He was 17-of-19 from the charity stripe in the huge Emmanuel win. 

Defensive Player of the Week
Jaylen Prioleau, Erskine

A guard/forward from Charlotte, North Carolina, Jaylen Prioleau of Erskine closed out the two games last week for the Flying Fleet with four blocks, three steals and 11 defensive rebounds. 

Prioleau in the two games for the Flying Fleet averaged 8.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.0 blocks and 1.5 steals per game. Prioleau particularly stepped up big in the Flying Fleet win over Mars Hill with 12 points, eight rebounds, five assists, two steals and two blocks. 

2023 Conference Carolinas Men’s Basketball Weekly Awards

Week 2 (Nov. 20, 2023)

Player of the Week: KJ Jones II, Emmanuel

Defensive Player of the Week: Jaylen Prioleau, Erskine

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