April 8, 2003

OXFORD, Ohio - Miami University junior guard Juby Johnson (Warrensville Heights, Ohio/Warrensville Heights) garnered two of the most prestigious awards at this year's annual postseason men's basketball banquet, which was held Tuesday night on campus at the Shriver Center. Johnson was tabbed the RedHawks' William Rohr Most Valuable Player and Richard Shrider Defensive Player of the Year.

Johnson, who was a second-team All-Mid-American Conference selection this season, led Miami in scoring with 14.8 points per game and 15.7 ppg in league action. His 15.7 ppg ranked 13th among MAC leaders. Johnson scored in double figures in 21 games, including five 20-plus point performances. Typically drawing the toughest defensive assignments, Johnson held his defensive assignment under his respective scoring average in 21 of Miami's 27 regular-season games.

Sophomore forward Tim Schenke (Cincinnati, Ohio/Elder) also earned two awards: The Darrell Hedric Most Improved Player and Randy Gunlock Scholar-Athlete Award. Schenke owns a 3.10 grade-point average and played in 24 games this season, while starting four contests.

Seven other RedHawks earned individual awards. Senior guard Matt Jameson (Newport Beach, Calif./Newport Harbor) was honored with the Marshall North Award, which is presented to the player who best exemplifies the virtue of loyalty-to the University, team and coaches-and whose personal sacrifice of time, effort and energy contribute materially to the advancement of the record of the team. Redshirt freshman center Nate VanderSluis (Oak Harbor, Ohio/Oak Harbor), who has overcome two foot injuries the past two years, was tabbed the Jamie Mercurio Award recipient, which is given to the player who exemplifies courage, determination and perseverance. Senior guard/forward Doug Williams (Piketon, Ohio/Piketon) and junior forward Gene Seals (Saginaw, Mich./Saginaw) shared the Holdie Wilson Spirit Award, given to a player who best demonstrates an unconditionally positive spirit.

Freshman guard Josh Hausfeld (Cincinnati, Ohio/Roger Bacon) was named the team's Arthur and Olga Adkins Freshman of the Year, following a freshman campaign where he earned MAC All-Freshman honors. Junior guard Chet Mason (Cleveland, Ohio/South) was honored for being the team's leading rebounder with 173 boards this season. Mason finished the season ranked fifth nationally for small rebounders and 10th in the MAC, averaging 6.2 boards per game. Sophomore forward Danny Horace (Cincinnati, Ohio/Western Hills) was presented the Dr. Terry Hunt Free Throw Award for owning the team's top free-throw percentage. Shooting .758 from the free-throw line, Horace ranked 14th in the MAC.

Miami, which finished second in the Mid-American Conference's East Division and earned its first automatic berth into the MAC Tournament as the No. 3 seed, finished the year 13-15 overall and 11-7 in the Mid-American Conference. The RedHawks made their 15th consecutive MAC Tournament quarterfinal appearance but fell to Ohio, 65-55, in overtime.

A recap of the award winners:
Dr. Terry Hunt Free Throw Award: Danny Horace
Most Rebounds: Chet Mason
Randy Gunlock Scholar-Athlete Award: Tim Schenke
Arthur & Olga Adkins Freshman of the Year: Josh Hausfeld
Darrell Hedric Most Improved Player Award: Tim Schenke
Richard Shrider Defensive Player of the Year: Juby Johnson
Marshall North Award (loyalty): Matt Jameson
Jamie Mercurio Award (courage): Nate VanderSluis
Holdie Wilson Award (spirit): Doug Williams and Gene Seals
William Rohr Most Valuable Player: Juby Johnson