TSWA names college players of the week - Feb. 13 — Tennessee Sports Writers Association

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – John Zhao continues to put up big numbers for Carson-Newman and, in this past week, he was electric, leading the Eagles to a pair of victories and earning the nod for the Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s Men’s Basketball Player of the Week.

Zhao, a junior guard from Sevierville, averaged 28.0 points and 9.0 rebounds as C-N put together two road victories at Mars Hill and Lenoir-Rhyne. Against Lenoir-Rhyne, Zhao had 33 points and eight rebounds as he shot 11-for-15 from the field, including seven 3-pointers, for his fourth 30-point game of his career.

He also recorded his first career double-double in the victory over Mars Hill, collecting 23 points and 10 rebounds.

On the season, Zhao is averaging 20.6 points and 5.1 rebounds.

On the women’s side, Lipscomb junior guard Claira McGowan collected the Women’s Basketball Player of the Week honor after an incredible week, averaging 27 points and 10 rebounds with victories over North Florida and Jacksonville.

McGowan, a Murfreesboro product, set Lipscomb’s NCAA-era single-game scoring record with 37 points in the Bisons’ double-overtime win over North Florida. She also collected her first career double-double against Jacksonville with 17 points and 11 rebounds.

For the week, McGowan shot 55 percent from the floor and 87 percent from the line, while she is currently averaging 15.7 points and 5.5 rebounds in Atlantic Sun play.