PORTLAND, Ore – The GNAC conference office announced the all-conference honors for men's basketball, which includes Cavin Holden and Garrett Anderson for first team, as well as Jordan Clark and Maverick Sanders for Honorable Mention for the Central Washington University Wildcats. In addition to being selected to the All-Conference Team, Holden earned the GNAC Player of the Year award, and Head Coach Brandon Rinta earned GNAC Coach of the Year.
Quoting Head Coach Brandon Rinta
"It is an honor to be so well represented on this year's GNAC All-Conference selections. Cavin, Garrett, Jordan, and Maverick all had tremendous seasons and deserve to be recognized. I think this is reflective of the success we had as a team and a credit to all twelve guys that helped us win the GNAC regular season championship."
Rinta led the Wildcats to a 20-8 (14-4 GNAC) record that culminated in the program's first regular season title since the 2010-11 season. Rinta's coaching staff included Assistant Coach Drew Church and Graduate Assistant Coach Chisom Watson, as well as support staff: Director of Strength and Conditioning Erik Hoium, Athletic Trainer Isaac Perry, and Faculty Affiliate Teresa Divine.
Cavin Holden earns his first selection to the GNAC First-Team All-Conference and was one of four players to be unanimously voted in. Holden, who traded the team-scoring lead with Anderson throughout the season, finishing the season with 417 points, had found himself in multiple other statistics to get the 'Cats where they are. The sophomore from Apple Valley, Calif., led the team in assists with 111 and steals with 42 total takeaways. Holden was also strong from the field, going 141-291 for a .485 shooting percentage, and from beyond the arc, going 79-174 for a .454 three-point shooting percentage. Coach Rinta saw Holden move from a strong freshman season last year into a leadership position for his sophomore campaign.
"It was fun to watch the step Cavin took from the last game of last season to the first game of this season," Rinta said, "He impacted the game in so many ways and was so consistent for us the whole season. This is a tremendous honor for him and reflective of the work he has put in."
Garrett Anderson earns his first selection to the GNAC First-Team All-Conference and joins Holden as one of four players to be unanimously voted in. Anderson, a junior from Phoenix, Ariz., ended the season leading the Wildcats in scoring with 422 points. He found himself being a strong presence at almost every aspect of the court, appearing in the top five of every individual statistical list for CWU, recording 154 rebounds, 42 assists, 21 steals, and 17 blocks. Anderson also shot well, going 163-322 from the field for a .506 shooting percentage, and 48-112 from the three-point line for a .429 percentage.
Jordan Clark earns his first selection to the GNAC All-Conference Honorable Mention Team. The sophomore from Renton, Wash., showed a great strength in shooting for the Wildcats, especially from three-point range. Clark led the Wildcats in three-point percentage with a .482 average, going 53-110 to find himself in the record books for CWU, earning sixth place in Central's single-season three-point field goal percentage, as well as sixth place in the Wildcats' career three-point field goal percentage. Clark's statistical performances this season include 325 points, 81 assists, and 28 steals.
Maverick Sanders earns his first selection to the GNAC All-Conference Honorable Mention Team. Sanders, a sophomore from Spokane, Wash., found a good setting in the paint and wasn't afraid to shoot from range if needed. Sanders led the Crimson and Black in blocks with 39 and rebounds with 139, including 34 offensive boards. He also held second in steals with 33 takeaways. Sanders held the third spot in the Wildcats scoring with 335 points, shooting .449 and going 127-283 from the field.
Up Next
The first-seeded Wildcats head to Lacey, Wash. for the GNAC Basketball Tournament, earning a first-round bye and will take on the winner of the Montana State Billings-Western Washington match on Friday, March 7 in the Marcus Pavilion. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:15 p.m.
See the full GNAC Men's Basketball All-Conference Team HERE
