ST. LOUIS (USBWA) Frank Schettino of the College of Staten Island (Staten Island, N.Y.) and Kelly Williams of Randolph-Macon College (Ashland, Va.) were named the U.S. Basketball Writers Association Division III National Players of the Week for the week ending January 8.
Schettino, a 5-11 senior guard from Staten Island, averaged a triple-double in the Dolphins (8-6) two victories last week. On Wednesday against Baruch, he totaled 21 points, eight rebounds, 13 assists, and four steals in Staten Island·s 77-68 victory. On Friday against Medgar Evers, Schettino had 18 points, 12 rebounds, 17 assists, and three steals in an 83-65 victory. For the week, he averaged 19.5 points, 10.0 rebounds, 15.0 assists, and 3.5 steals. The 17 assists against Medgar Evers represents the highest total of any player this season at any NCAA division. Schettino, who was also selected the City University of New York Athletic Conference (CUNYAC) and Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association (MWBA) Player of the Week, currently leads Division III with 8.6 assists per game.
Williams, a 6-3 freshman forward from Garysburg, N.C., averaged a double-double in the Yellow Jackets (8-4) two victories last week. In an 81-54 win over Bridgewater on Tuesday, she scored 20 points (9-of-14 FG) and pulled down 16 rebounds to go with a career-high six blocks, two steals and an assist in only 27 minutes. On Saturday, in a 62-58 victory over Emory & Henry, Williams scored a career-high 25 points (8-of-12 FG), including the go-ahead layup with 1:20 remaining, while adding 13 rebounds, four blocks and two steals. For the week, she averaged 22.5 points, 14.5 rebounds, 5.0 blocks, 2.0 steals, and 0.5 assists while shooting 65.4 percent (17-of-26) from the field. Williams, who was also named the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Player of the Week, now has nine double-doubles this season, tied for sixth in Division III.
Each Tuesday, the USBWA is selecting men's and women's Division III National Players of the Week. This is the third season that the USBWA will recognize national players of the week from Division III.
The U.S. Basketball Writers Association was formed in 1956 at the urging of then-NCAA Executive Director Walter Byers. With some 900 members worldwide, it is one of the most influential organizations in college basketball. It has selected an All-America team since the 1956-57 season. For more information on the USBWA and its award programs, contact executive director Joe Mitch at 314-795-6821.
2016-17 USBWA Division III National Players of the Week
Week ending Nov. 20: Khory Moore, Virginia Wesleyan College and Camille McPherson, Moravian College
· Week ending Nov. 27: Ty Sabin, Ripon College and Mikayla Miller, Gustavus Adolphus College
· Week ending Dec. 4: Sam Amsbaugh, Simpson College and Sara Tarbert, Stevenson University
· Week ending Dec. 11: Jayde Dawson, Amherst College and Zarkia Mattox, Ferrum College
· Week ending Dec. 18: Anthony Mosley Jr., Illinois Institute of Technology and Emily Martin, Elizabethtown College
· Week ending Jan. 1: Tyheim Monroe, Cabrini College and Lisa Murphy, Carnegie Mellon University
· Week ending Jan. 8: Frank Schettino, College of Staten Island and Kelly Williams, Randolph-Macon College
· Week ending Jan. 15: Baba Waples, Penn State Berks and Garis Grant, Agnes Scott College
· Week ending Jan. 22: Ty Sabin, Ripon College and Lisa Murphy, Carnegie Mellon University
· Week ending Jan. 29: Marcos Echevarria, Nichols College and Kara Hageman, Case Western Reserve University
· Week ending Feb. 5: Caleb Thomasson, Sul Ross State University and Kaitlin Langer, University of St. Thomas
· Week ending Feb. 12: Brendan Wind, Nazareth College and Savannah Olsen, Newbury College
· Week ending Feb. 19: Keegan Ryan, St. John Fisher College and Jill Valley, Westfield State University
· Week ending Feb. 26: Ty Sabin, Ripon College and Katie Sommer, Wartburg College