Mountain Lions recognized by NABC for academic laurels
By Michael MacEachern
Assistant Director of Athletics for Sports Communications
The Young Harris College men's basketball program along with four of their players were recognized by the National Association of Basketball Coaches Tuesday (July 19).
As a team, the Mountain Lions earned the NABC Team Academic Excellence Award with a 3.21 grade-point average for 2021-22, while Carter Berish, Avery Jones, Josh Petteno and Christian Schach were named to the NABC Honors Court.
The Mountain Lions were the lone Peach Belt Conference institution to earn the NABC Team Academic Excellence Award in 2021-22. It was the first time in program history that the Mountain Lions received either NABC academic achievement.
The NABC Team Academic Excellence Awards recognize men's basketball programs that completed the 2021-22 academic year with a team GPA of 3.0 or higher. The NABC Honors Court, meanwhile, includes junior, senior and graduate student men's basketball players who finished the 2021-22 year with a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher. The NABC's academic awards include honorees from all levels of college basketball. Over 2,000 players earned spots on the NABC Honors Court and over 300 programs received NABC Team Academic Excellence Awards for 2021-22.
"Congratulations to Josh, Avery, Christian and Carter for being named to the 2022 NABC Honors Court for their outstanding academic achievement," said YHC head coach Jeremy Currier. "This is a well-deserved honor for all four as they epitomize the true definition of a student-athlete, putting their classroom success as a priority in life. Each represented Young Harris well in the classroom and on the court. I have no doubt in my mind that all four will be very successful in life no matter what career path they choose. We are lucky to have them as a part of our program."
CARTER BERISH
Berish is a guard from North Logan, Utah.
Berish has a 3.88 cumulative GPA as a management major.
Berish played in 20 games (10 starts), averaging 18.4 minutes, 2.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists.
Berish connected on 17 three-pointers.
Berish scored a career-high nine points against Georgia College (1/19)
AVERY JONES
Jones is a guard from Anderson, South Carolina.
Jones has a cumulative GPA of 3.44 as a business administration major.
Jones played in nine games, averaging 6.7 minutes, 1.9 points and 0.8 rebounds.
Jones scored a career-high 10 points against Anderson (S.C.) University (12/18)
JOSH PETTENO
Petteno is a guard from Venice, Italy.
Petteno has a 4.00 cumulative GPA as a mathematics major.
Petteno played in 20 games (five starts), averaging 19.5 minutes, 7.9 points, 1.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists.
Petteno was third for the Mountain Lions with 35 three-pointers.
Petteno scored a career-high 27 points against Georgia Southwestern State University (1/29)
CHRISTIAN SCHACH
Schach is a guard from Tampa, Florida.
Schach has a 3.88 cumulative GPA as a psychology major.
Schach played in 21 games, averaging 14.9 minutes, 6.3 points and 1.0 rebound.
Schach scored a career-high 15 points against Morehouse College (12/4).