FRANKLIN SPRINGS, GA. - The University of Mount Olive men's and women's basketball teams both had seasons to talk about making runs to the semifinals of the conference tournament. Unfortunately, the Trojans seasons ended in the semis to the No. 1 seeded Emmanuel College on both sides, men and women, however, following the championship game the All-Tournament teams were announced and UMO had an athlete from each team earn a spot on the list.
Sophomore Kelly Post earned the honor for the women's team as she had provided key minutes for the Trojans coming off the bench, while also earning some starting time throughout the season. Post provided a spark of energy and defense for the team, whether she started or when she substituted in for Nichols, Bacchus, Fields or Havens. Post tallied a third-best 116 rebounds, 48 steals, and 47 assists this season in her 719 minutes played.
In the last four games of the season, Post elevated her game to another level scoring 39 points and collecting 34 rebounds as well as contributing 10 assists, and four steals. She also posted her only double-double of the season in the quarterfinal win over Lees-McRae on March 4.
Redshirt senior Jamaal Matin was named the 2019 Conference Carolinas Defensive Player of the Year for the second year in a row and earned an All-Conference first-team nod. He is the first back-to-back defensive player of the year for the UMO men's basketball program.
Matin led Mount Olive in a majority of statistical categories including points (525), points per game (17.5), free throw percentage (81.2%), free throws made (108) and attempted (133), three-point percentage (41.1%), three-pointers made (79) and attempted (192), field goals made (169) and attempted (363), minutes (1091), rebounds (179), and steals (36). He garnered two player of the week awards this season and is a three-time all-conference honoree. Matin also surpassed the 1,000 career point mark in the road game against Limestone on Jan. 23, 2019.
His hustle on the court for the Trojans throughout his entire career helped him in his being named to the All-Tournament team as well as his 36 points in 77 minutes played, eight rebounds, three steals, two blocks, and two assists.