TSWA announces players of the week - Dec. 19

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Carson-Newman junior guard John Zhao had a tremendous week as he picked up a pair of 20-point scoring nights as he led the Eagles to two road victories last week to earn the Tennessee Sports Writers Association Men’s Basketball Player of the Week honor on Tuesday. 

Zhao, a junior guard from Sevierville, scored 23 points in an 83-73 victory over Tusculum, shooting 60 percent from the field and 11-for-12 at the free-throw line, pulling down six rebounds with an assist, two steals and a block. 

He followed that performance up with 21 points against Anderson (S.C.) as he was 8-for-11 from the field and 3-for-4 from 3-point range. Anderson also collected six rebounds and a steal in the win. 

For the week, he averaged 22 points and six rebounds. 

On the women’s side, Chattanooga graduate Jada Guinn continued the Mocs’ hot streak as she led them in scoring with 24 points in a victory over Lipscomb and 19 points in a win over Eastern Kentucky.  

The Oak Ridge native and Tennessee Tech transfer scored 43 points on the week and has been the leading scorer for the Mocs on their current nine-game winning streak – the second-best start in program history behind a 13-1 start to the 1983-84 campaign. 

Guinn has scored 10 or more points in every game this season. She also led the team with nine rebounds and five assists against Lipscomb, while tying her career-high in free throws made with 10. Guinn currently ranks second in the Southern Conference in scoring with an 18.0-point average and 22nd nationally in field goals made (82) and 28th in total points (216). 

MEN’S BASKETBALL
11/14 | Jack Browder (Carson-Newman)
11/21 | Mikhail Pocknett (King)
11/28 | Jordan Sears (UT Martin)
12/5 | Reed Kemp (Maryville)
12/12 | Jalen Page (Trevecca)
12/19 | John Zhao (Carson-Newman) 

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
11/14 | Kendal Cheesman (Belmont)
11/21 | Maya Buckhanon (Fisk)
11/28 | Jordyn Cambridge (Vanderbilt)
12/5 | Sacha Washington (Vanderbilt)
12/12 | Maya Buckhanon (Fisk)
12/19 | Jada Guinn (Chattanooga)