BENNINGTON, Vt. — The New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) announced on Monday its major award winners and All-Conference teams for the 2014-15 men’s basketball season with a handful of the accolades going to members of the Southern Vermont College crew.

SVC junior DeShawn Hamlet (Hartford, Connecticut) was named the 2015 NECC Men’s Basketball Player of the Year while freshman Daemond Carter (Forestville, Maryland) took home the 2015 NECC Men’s Basketball Rookie of the Year honor. Hamlet was also named to the All-NECC First Team, and senior Dolapo Olugbile (Laurel, Maryland) garnered an All-NECC Honorable Mention. Additionally, head coach Dan Engelstad was chosen by his peers as the 2015 NECC Men’s Basketball Coach of the Year.

Hamlet was a two-time NECC Player of the Week selection in 2014-15 and was the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) New England Division III Player of the Week and the U.S. Basketball Writers’ Association National Player of the Week for the week ending February 8. He is third in the NECC in scoring (19.4) and fourth in rebounding (7.6).

“Watching Deshawn's growth as a player and as a person has been very rewarding for our staff,” commented Engelstad. “Deshawn is a matchup nightmare for other teams because of his versatility. He can beat you inside and out. We are excited to have the Player of the Year returning next year and expect him to get even better in his senior season.”

Carter was the NECC Rookie of the Week four times in 2014-15. The guard gave the Mountaineers valuable minutes off the bench, contributing key points and rebounds throughout the season.

“Daemond provided a spark for us off the bench,” noted Engelstad. “He is a great defender, and he uses his length to his benefit. He is only just starting to scratch the surface of his potential, and we look forward to seeing him develop in our program.”

Olugbile was honored with his second All-NECC Honorable Mention after ranking fifth in the league with a 52.8 field goal percentage. He averaged 9.7 points and 4.7 rebounds per game through the Championship for SVC, providing leadership for the team and acrobatic dunks for the fans.

“Dolapo is well deserving of any award he gets,” said Engelstad. “He is a great leader and provided our team and community with many clutch plays, high-level skill, and athleticism. He will be missed next year, but he left a mark on this program that will be remembered.”

Engelstad takes home his first NECC Coach of the Year honor in just his second season with the Mountaineers. Southern Vermont was undefeated in the NECC regular season and advanced to the NECC Championship before dropping a two-point decision to Regis College. The Mountaineers are 23-4 overall and Engelstad’s two-season record is currently 39-13.

“Coach of the Year is not about one individual,” Engelstad commented. “We have tremendously talented players, coaches and managers that put in a tireless amount of energy and time into our program. I'm humbled that my peers believed we were deserving of this award.”

The Mountaineers’ season is not yet over as Southern Vermont will play in the ECAC New England tournament this weekend, a playoff hosted by Husson University. Top-seeded SVC will take on No. 4 Anna Maria College at 5 p.m. on Saturday.

The NECC Special Awards and All-Conference Teams:

2015 Men’s Player of the Year – DeShawn Hamlet, Southern Vermont College

2015 Men’s Rookie of the Year – Daemond Carter, Southern Vermont College

2015 Men’s Coach of the Year – Dan Engelstad, Southern Vermont College

2015 Men’s Basketball Team Sportsmanship Award – Wheelock College

 

2015 Men’s Basketball All-Conference Teams:
First Team

• Jerry Buchanon, Jr., G, Windsor, Conn., Elms College
• Joshua Ford, Sr., F, Jersey City, N.J., Mitchell College
• DeShawn Hamlet, Jr., F., Hartford, Conn., Southern Vermont College
• Parris Hill, Sr., F, Stockton, Calif., Mitchell College
• Sam Jean-Gilles, So., F, Melrose, Mass., Regis College

Second Team

• Scott Dulaire, Jr., F, Bloomfield, Conn., Becker College
• Nicholas Fenton, So., G, East Hartford, Conn., Wheelock College
• Kenny Lockett, Sr., F, Atlanta, Ga., Elms College
• Jeff Trager, Jr., G, Brockton, Mass., Regis College
• Anthony Williams, So., F, White Plains, N.Y., Wheelock College

Honorable Mention

• Ray Farmer, So., C, Nashua, N.H., Daniel Webster College
• Ryan Gauthier, Jr., G, Nashua, N.H., Daniel Webster College
• Donovan McClean, Jr., F, Jersey City, N.J., Mitchell College
• Dolapo Olugbile, Sr., F, Laurel, Md., Southern Vermont College
• Kwame Thompson, Sr., G, Brockton, Mass., Newbury College