CALDWELL, Idaho — The College of Idaho men's basketball team was well represented in the Cascade Collegiate Conference postseason awards, placing three student-athletes on the all-conference list, highlighted by freshman Rey Johnston being named CCC Freshman of the Year.
Sophomore guard Utrillo Morris and junior guard Dougie Peoples each earned All-Conference honors, while Johnston also collected honorable mention recognition in addition to his freshman award.
Morris put together one of the most complete seasons in the league, averaging 12.7 points, 5.7 assists and 1.6 steals per game while shooting 49.8 percent from the field. In conference play, he elevated his production to 14.0 points and 6.0 assists per contest, shooting 50.8 percent from the floor. Morris led the CCC in assists and ranked third in steals, finishing with 171 assists overall. He recorded a season-high 31 points against Oregon Tech and dished out 10 assists at Walla Walla, showcasing his ability to both score and facilitate at a high level.
Peoples paced the Yotes in scoring at 14.8 points per game, knocking down 64 three-pointers and converting 78.5 percent of his free throws. In CCC action, he averaged 15.6 points per game while shooting 40.7 percent from the field and 37.0 percent from beyond the arc. Peoples tallied two 29-point performances this season and reached double figures in 24 of 30 games, providing steady perimeter production throughout the year.
Johnston emerged as the top freshmen in the conference, averaging 12.8 points and a team-best 5.4 rebounds per game while shooting 49.7 percent from the floor and 38.5 percent from three-point range. During conference play, he increased his scoring average to 14.1 points per game and shot 53.1 percent from the field. Johnston posted a season-high 28 points and 10 rebounds against Bushnell and connected on seven three-pointers in a road win at Walla Walla. He also contributed 24 blocks on the year, adding rim protection to his versatile offensive skill set.
All three Yotes finished among the top 20 scorers in the conference, anchoring an offense that averaged 80.9 points per game overall and 80.0 points per game in CCC play. As a team, College of Idaho shot 47.4 percent from the field and held opponents to 42.0 percent shooting, awaiting a NAIA tournament berth at 20-10 overall and 14-6 in conference action.
The trio's recognition reflects the Yotes' balanced attack and consistency throughout the season, as College of Idaho secured a top-half finish in the CCC standings and remained in postseason contention behind its veteran leadership and emerging young talent.
