The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has announced the 2015-16 Division II Men’s Basketball All-America teams, selected by the NAIA All-America Committee.
This year, College of the Ozarks men’s and women’s basketball teams each had two players named to the DII All-America teams. For the men, senior guard Ethan Murray (Neosho, Mo.) was named Third Team All-American and Junior guard Cameron Paschke (Fayetteville, Ark.) was named Honorable Mention All-American. For the women, senior forward Brandy Uchtman (Fordland, Mo.) was named Second Team All-American and junior guard Hannah Wisdom (Urbana, Mo.) received Honorable Mention All-American recognition.
Ethan Murray has been a four-year starter for the Bobcats, playing in 128 games and scoring 1,642 points for his career. In 2015-16, Murray broke the team record for three-pointers in a game, draining 12 treys in the Cats’ November 4th game against William Penn University. He tallied 614 points, handed out 43 assists, collected 108 rebounds, grabbed 19 steals, and posted a 42.4% field goal percentage. Murray finished the year ranking 3rd in NAIA DII in 3-point field goals made per game with 3.79 and 5th in total 3-point field goals made with 110. Head coach Steve Shepherd commented, “Ethan Murray is very deserving of being named 3rd team NAIA All-American. He had a great season, and really excelled in his 3-point shooting. His leadership and perimeter shooting were instrumental in our success this year.”
Cameron Paschke has started for Coach Shepherd each of his three seasons with the Cats, playing 93 games and scoring 1,087 career points. Paschke joined the 1,000 point club with a 22-point performance in the Cats’ February 12th game against Central Christian. His season stats include 487 points, 143 assists, 48 steals, 76 rebounds, and 66 three-pointers. “Cameron had a great year for us this year,” said Shepherd. “He is very deserving of All-American honors. His leadership at point guard, alongside his assists and scoring, helped lead us to another successful season.”
Brandy Uchtman has been an integral part of the Lady Bobcats’ success over her career. Playing in 136 games, she has scored a career total 1,412 points with a field goal percentage of 45.7. Uchtman is one of the most versatile, athletic players in Lady Cat history, with the ability to play inside as well as shoot the three. Having red-shirted her freshman year while acclimating to college life and collegiate basketball, Uchtman learned leadership and gained an understanding of what it means to play at C of O from the senior class, who led the team to the National Championship game. In turn, Brandy has led her team by setting the tone of the expectations involved in being a Lady Bobcat both on and off the floor. During the 2015-16 season, Uchtman joined the 1,000 point club during the Lady Cats’ home opener win over Missouri Baptist. She went on to score a total of 441 points on the season, along with 179 rebounds, 50 assists, and 19 steals. Lady Cats’ head coach Becky Vest stated, “I am very proud of Brandy’s accomplishments this season. I am thrilled for Brandy to not only be named the A.I.I. Conference Player of the Year, but to cap off her senior season being named an NAIA Second-Team All-American. She joins a lengthy list of Lady Cat greats to receive this prestigious honor.”
Hannah Wisdom, completing her third season as a Lady Bobcat, is a tenacious and pesky player on the floor, making a difference in each of the Cats’ games. She is quick, possesses a lethal jump shot, and is extremely competitive. During her 2015-16 season, Wisdom provided her team with 363 points, gathered 118 rebounds, dished out 80 assists, and collected 31 steals. Her career stats to date leave her just 40 points short of the 1,000 mark and also include 376 rebounds, 276 assists, and 105 steals. “I am proud of Hannah for her selection as an Honorable Mention All-American, in addition to her A.I.I. Conference First Team accolades and Defensive Player of the Year recognition,” commented Coach Vest. “We are excited to see what Hannah accomplishes in her final season after a superb junior year.”
