Dominguez Wins Awards at Portland State Team Banquet

The team made the school’s first-ever appearance in the national NCAA tournament, losing 86-62 to the eventual national champion Kansas Jayhawks.

Former South Salem High star Jeremiah Dominguez was honored for being the Big Sky Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year (the first time one Big Sky player has ever earned both honors). Photo courtesy: PSU Athletics

PORTLAND, Ore. - Portland State's men’s basketball coaches gave their Mr. Viking Award to Senior Guard Deonte Huff, this year’s Big Sky Tournament MVP, a first Team All Conference Player and the team’s leading rebounder, at the team banquet in Smith Center.

The honor was bestowed on Huff for all-around performance within the program.

Captains Awards went to sophomore forward Tyrell Mara and Huff. Leading Scorer Award went to junior point guard Jeremiah Dominguez. Senior center Scott Morrison earned the team’s Best Defensive Player Award.

A packed house gave standing ovations to head Coach Ken Bone and to the five departing seniors on this year’s record setting men’s team.

Seniors guards Deonte Huff, Brian Curtis and Dupree Lucas; forward J.R. Moore, and Morrison were honored for their efforts on behalf of this year’s team which won the Big Sky championship and Big Sky tournament and made the school’s first-ever appearance in the national NCAA tournament, losing 86-62 to the eventual national champion Kansas Jayhawks.

While underscoring the outstanding accomplishments of Morrison and Huff, Bone singled out Lucas (‘injuries kept him from having the year he expected, but he still was almost the team’s most valuable defensive player”), Moore (“his presence on both ends of the floor was important for us. He made Scott a better player”), and Curtis (“Coming into pressure situations and being expected to perform isn’t easy. Brian gave us some very important three’s off the bench this year”).

“This is a team that will always be remembered in legend because they accomplished a couple of important firsts for the school (2008 was the school’s first year as Big Sky Tournament champions, as well),” said Athletics Director Torre Chisholm.

Speaking on behalf of the school administration, University Relations Vice President Cassie McVeety thanked the team “as a member of the administration and an enthusiastic season ticket holder for creating this season of dreams for us.” Alumni Director Pat Squire, recently returned from alumni functions in the United Arab Emirates and Seattle, said “they were talking about this team in Abudahbi as well as the city to the north.”

In addition to the seniors, Dominguez was honored for being the Big Sky Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year (the first time one Big Sky player has ever earned both honors) and sophomore forward Kyle Coston was honored for making the Big Sky All Tournament Team.

Morrison was recognized for being named Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year and 2nd Team All-Conference. Coach Bone’s standing ovation came for being named Big Sky Coach of the Year.

“In attitude and effort, this year’s team has been filled with very special players. I think that Torre Chisholm’s comments were right. This group of young men will never be forgotten because of the firsts they’ve accomplished. But, I hope everyone is also looking ahead and has their season tickets for next year. I think that could be a very special team, also,” Bone said.

Story by: John Wykoff

Courtesy: Portland State Athletics

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