KANSAS CITY, Mo. (BP) – The National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) Southwest Region has announced its selections for the 2022-2023 men’s basketball honors. Among the recipients are Spurgeon College coach Billy Livezey, who was named Coach of the Year. Two players on the team also received national honors.
Livezey, who completed his first year as head coach at Spurgeon College this year, led the men’s basketball team in a historic season.
“Thanks to the coaches who accepted me into their league, my players for trusting me from day one and fervently buying into our faithful culture, Coach Risher for taking a chance on me, and most importantly my beautiful wife for serving me and the team all year,” Livezey said of the honor.
MBTS President Jason Allen said he was encouraged to see Livezey receive the recognition, adding: “It is an honor well deserved. We are so proud of Coach Livezey and our team for a great season. It was an exciting year, and this award and the two other awards given to our players serves as a fitting conclusion.”
Livezey led the Spurgeon Knights to a 14-9 record this season. At several points throughout the season, the team led the nation in rebounding and scoring, averaging more than 100 points per game.
“The Lord has been too kind and gracious,” Livezey said. “Not many people believed what we could do this year, but these players did. This coach award is the player’s award. They are the ones who put in the work every day and proved a lot of people wrong, and some people right. I’m thankful for these men who are in this program.
“Above all else though, all glory and praise be to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. To Him be the glory.”
Before joining Spurgeon College as head coach, Livezey spent seven years in college athletics and has been a part of six conference championships and four NCAA national tournament appearances.
Team awards
In addition to Livezey’s Coach of the Year Award, two Spurgeon College basketball players received national honors as well. Junior Jude Warren was named first team all-region, and sophomore Drew Middleton was named second team all-region.
Throughout the season, Warren received the National Player of the Week Award twice. He averaged 23.78 points per game, finishing the season with a 53 percent shooting average. Defensively, he amassed 16 blocks, 67 steals and 129 rebounds.
Middleton also received the National Player of the Week Award this season. He finished the season averaging 20.48 points per game with a 44 percent 3-point average, one of the top shooting percentages of players across the country.
“I’m so proud of all my players and all their hard work this season, and that goes for Jude [Warren] and Drew [Middleton] too,” Livezey said. “They worked every day and earned everything that came to them. I am so proud of them and each member of this team.”
Spurgeon College Athletic Director Matthew Risher said of Livezey: “Coach Livezey is a proven winner on and off the court. He is the perfect person to grow Spurgeon basketball into one of the best programs in the NCCAA.”
The NCCAA basketball season begins in October. Livezey and the Spurgeon Knights look forward to building on their success next year.
