Yeo Honored As All-American
MISHAWAKA – Clay Yeo just continues to add to his impressive list of accomplishments for his outstanding basketball career.
The Bethel College junior and former star at Triton High School was named an NAIA All-American earlier today.
Yeo, a 6-5 guard for the Pilots, led his team to a 24-10 mark. Bethel saw its season end with a 100-93 loss to Briar Cliff (Iowa) in the second round of the NAIA Division II National Tournament.
Yeo, who was an Indiana All-Star following his senior season at Triton, averaged a team-high 21.4 points-per-game this season. He also led the Pilots in rebounding at 6.6 caroms per game, while also ranking first on the team in 3-pointers (64) and second in both steals (49) and assists (95).
Yeo led Triton to Class 1-A state runner-up finishes in 2011 and 2013. He ranks first in school and Marshall County history in career scoring with 1,992 points. Yeo, who played his first season at NCAA Division I Valparaiso University before transferring to Bethel, shot 49 percent from the field (36 percent on threes) and 76 percent from the free throw line.
Yeo was a second-team All-American a year ago after leading both the Pilots and the Crossroads League in scoring at 21 points-per-game.
Dominez Burnett of Davenport (Michigan) was named the NAIA Player of the Year for the second straight season. The 6-5 senior forward, who hails from Flint, averaged 24.8 points-per-game. His team lost 66-65 to Indiana Wesleyan in the semifinals of the tournament on Monday night. Burnett is just the second player to win back-to-back Player of the Year honors, joining former Bethel star Rico Swanson (who earned the award in 1997 and 1998).
Indiana Wesleyan coach Greg Tonagel was named the NAIA Coach of the Year. Tonagel guided his team to a 33-5 mark and a national championship. Tonagel is a LaPorte High School graduate and played at Valparaiso University.
The Crossroads League, which includes both Bethel and IWU, were well-respresented on the All-American team. The IWU duo of senior guard Jonny Marlin and junior forward Lane Mahurin were both named to the first team. Marlin hails from Greenwood and Mahurin is from Rockville.
Austin Fox, a senior forward for St. Francis, was also named to the first team. Fox is a Muncie native.
Bryce Lienhoop, a sophomore forward for St. Francis, was a third-team pick. Lienhoop is a native of Columbus, Indiana.
Brandon Vanderhegghen of Grace College and Dominique Bolden of Goshen College were both honorable mention selections. Vanderhegghen, a 6-1 senior guard, led the Lancers in scoring (16.8), 3-pointers (84) and steals (49) and ranked second in rebounding (5.9).
The Lancers are 20-14 on the season after an 83-61 loss to Emmanuel Thursday night in the semifinals of the NCCAA Tournament at Grace. The host Lancers will play Trinity at noon Saturday to conclude their 2015-16 season.