08-20-10
Gene crowned MVP at CIA awards
CIA players, volunteers and fans gathered at Westcroft Leisure Centre last weekend for the first annual CIA Basketball Awards Evening to celebrate last season’s success and their return to Premier division competition. It was a night filled with laughter as the players took the opportunity to wind down whilst also bringing out some of the cheesiest grins ever seen (if there was an award for that, Chi got first place!).
After a disappointing end to the 2008/09 season in which CIA were relegated to Division 1, the team regrouped and were determined to return to the top tier. Despite a slow start to the season, CIA secured the wins when they mattered most dispatching close rivals NLA Saints and Euston Power on both meetings to seal their place at the top of the league and guarantee a return to the Premier Division next season.
Before the players were recognised for their on-court achievements, Coach and Director Tony Brown awarded two special ‘Service Awards’ to Joyce Brown and Dominique Bowler-Brown for their off-court commitment. Without them, there really wouldn’t have been a season for us!
As well as partnering Joyce on the table, Dominique also recorded stats for the team throughout the season from which she shared the top 3 players in each category. Newcomer Michale Brown was highlighted as he challenged in several categories whilst older brother Gene Brown’s name was called in almost every column.
Once the players had collected their champions trophies it was time to unveil the season awards. There were five in total; Defensive Player of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year, Team Player, Most Improved Player and, of course, the ultimate accolade, Most Valuable Player.
Guard Daniel Montague was awarded the Defensive Player of the Year award after recording a record number of blocks, steals and defensive plays. As he collected his award he took a second to pose for the camera before sharing some wise words, “Defense wins championships.”
Next, 6′8″ Forward Chi Lewis-Parry was given the Offensive Player of the Year award. Chi averaged just shy of a double-double per game and also led in shot percentage. Chi opted for a huge and cheesy grin and responded to Montague by quipping, “Defense wins championships, offense sells tickets.”
Team Player is a new award for 2010 to recognise a player who works for his teammates over himself and contributed to the team in other ways than the traditional stats columns. This award was given to Point Guard Luke Bowler who led the team in assists and free throw percentage and left with a simple statement, “You’ve got to put aside the Me for the We,” which was met with a boo from teammate Gene Brown who clearly expected something more inspiring.
There was no surprise as to who would walk away with the Most Improved Player accolade. Newcomer Michale Brown made a huge impact in limited minutes, challenging veteran Darryl Lewis for rebounds and making an obvious difference on both ends of the floor. Michale struck a low blow as he received his award – “I was the only player to not miss a training session; just saying”. Ouch!
The final award was reserved for the MVP. To rapturous applause, Gene Brown was crowned the Most Valuable Player 2010/11 after an all around season and one of his best to date. He opted for an emotional, Halle Berry-Kate Winslet-esque acceptance speech ingeniously thanking his teammates! A huge congratulations to Gene Brown who’s week only got better and better by getting married – a huge and heartfelt congratulations from all at CIA!
Preseason officially begins on Wednesday 1st September and the season tips-off in October – stay tuned for all the fixtures as soon as they’re released!
