Isaya Leads Tommies in ACAA Award Winners
The 2021-22 Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball award winners and all-stars have been named, with a quartet of Tommies bringing home hardware.
2nd year guard, Gayo Isaya (Fredericton, NB), was named ACAA 1st Team All-Star as well as the Dyrick McDermott Defensive Player of the Year. Isaya becomes just the second Tommie to win the award since its inauguration in 2010-11, joining Jason Daniels back in 2012-13. Isaya was joined on the league All-Star team by 4th year guard, Almin Dervisevic (Ottawa, ON) and Geoffrey Lavoie (Ottawa, ON), who were both named ACAA 2nd Team All-Stars.
In his first year with the Tommies Isaya certainly made his mark on both sides of the basketball. He averaged 17.1 points per game on 48.5% shooting from the field, while adding 6.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.1 steals, while regularly defending the opponent’s top perimeter threat.
“Gayo continues to lead our team with his energy on the defensive end of the court, as well as being good in transition,” said Tommies’ head coach, John Hickey.
Lavoie continues to perform at a top level for the Tommies. After being named a CCAA All-Canadian in 2019-20, he battled some preseason injuries which limited his ability to prepare to his fullest ability, but that didn’t stop him from producing on the court, as he averaged 17 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2.1 steals per game, while shooting 45.3% from the field and 32.1% from beyond the three point-line.
“Geoff to continues to excel at both ends of the court,” said Hickey. “Being able to score from the inside, the outside, and in transition makes Geoff an extremely tough matchup in this league.”
Dervisevic continues to be one of the offensive leaders for the Tommies as he is a triple double threat every time he steps on the court. He averaged 17.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game this season, all top five in the ACAA league leaders.
“Almin is our vocal leader, who continues to teach and coach our younger players through various situations. He has great vision on the court and is a main cog in our offense.”
Hickey was also named the ACAA Coach of the Year for the first time in his career after leading the Tommies to a 9-3 record in the regular season.
“From the get-go upon his hiring, John has shown determination and strong leadership,” said St. Thomas Director of Athletics, Michael Eagles. “I am pleased to see him getting recognition from his peers on the job he is doing here."
Hickey was quick to pass off praise for the award as he feels he wouldn’t be able to receive this award if it wasn’t for each member of his coaching staff.
“This award is 100% a reflection of both the players we have and our coaching staff as a whole,” Hickey said modestly.
The Tommies will await the completion of the ACAA’s quarterfinal matchups to see who they will host Friday night at 8:00pm at the Lady Beaverbrook Gymnasium.