FC’S CHRISTIAN WATSON HIGHLIGHTS MEN’S BASKETBALL ALL-CONFERENCE HONOREES

The Fullerton College Hornets have claimed the Orange Empire Conference (OEC) title for the third-consecutive season and the fifth in the past eight seasons. Freshman guard Christian Watson highlighted the all-conference honorees by hauling in the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.

Fullerton's sophomore guard Amound Anderson II claimed the Defensive Player of the Year award, while Santiago Canyon's sophomore guard Kai Smith was tabbed the Offensive Player of the Year.

Fullerton Head Coach Perry Webster earned Coach of the Year recognition for the fourth-consecutive season. He also earned his third-consecutive conference championship and his fifth-in the last eight seasons. They will enter the 3C2A Southern Regional Championships as the top-seed beginning on Wednesday, February 28. Webster made history on the same night the Hornets claimed the conference crown by winning his 200^th career game. He is the fourth coach in Fullerton history to reach this height and the fastest Fullerton head coach to ever reach the double century win mark.

Watson was a menace on both sides of the court. The first-year Hornet put up strong numbers in all categories as seen in 11.2 points-per-game in conference action to go along with a 5.9 rebounds-per-game, 3.4 assists-per-game, 2.1 steals-per-game and over one block-per-game. He recorded one conference double-double in a win over Irvine Valley after dropping 16 points and hauling in 11 rebounds. Furthermore, he bucketed 10 double-digit scoring games in conference play highlighted by a 22-point outburst in a win over Saddleback two weeks ago.

Anderson II started in all 16 conference games and averaged 10.1 points-per-game, 4.6 rebounds-per-game and pocketed just under a steal-per-game. He hauled in two or more rebounds in every conference showdown highlighted by a trio of eight rebound games. He swiped at least one steal in nine games and held a five-game steal streak where he pocketed seven steals all resulting in victories.

Smith ranked second in conference play with 17.7 points-per-game in 27 total starts. He bagged 24 double-digit scoring games and netted 20 or more points in 13 games. He is a true sniper from long range by carting a shooting percentage just under 30 throughout the entire season. He hit two or more three pointers in 11 games highlighted by a five three-pointer night in a win over MiraCosta. His largest conference scoring total came in an upset victory over top-seeded Fullerton where he drained 26 points on a 8-for-14 night shooting.

See below for the complete list of honorees. 

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: Christian Watson, Fullerton (Guard, Freshman)
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Kai Smith, Santiago Canyon (Guard, Sophomore)
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Amound Anderson II, Fullerton (Guard, Sophomore)
COACH OF THE YEAR: Perry Webster, Fullerton (Fourth-Consecutive)

Release by Nicho DellaValle, Santiago Canyon