GREENVILLE, SC.--- The National Christian College Athletics Association (NCCAA) recently announced Asbury women's basketball guard,
Trinity Shearer as a finalist for the Kathy Freese-Peabody Award, and Asbury men's basketball forward,
Clayton Winter a finalist for the Pete Maravich Award.
Kathy Freese-Peabody Award Description
The purpose of this award is to enhance the Christian purpose of athletic excellence in Christian athletic competition, and to perpetuate the Christian philosophy and faith in evangelical Christian institutions across our nation. Kathy Freese-Peabody led her team to three NCCAA National Championship appearances, while also emphasizing the importance of spiritual growth. She assisted with growing the sport of women's basketball in the NCCAA during her tenure and served the association in a variety of roles, including national chairperson.
Trinity Shearer is a senior, Elementary Education major from Crab Orchard, Ky. Shearer was the second-leading scorer for the team this season averaging 12.4 points a game, while shooting an efficient .422 from the field and .287 from three-point range. Shearer's presence was really felt on the defensive end this season setting the all-time steals record in an Asbury career with 274 and all-time steals in a season record holder with 90.
"Trin has been nothing short of amazing for us this year, and honestly her whole career. This season has just embodied what makes her so special. She played through two injuries during the season and still lead the entire NCCAA in steals. She did it with fewer games and by a wide margin. Her play was solid and dependable all year, just like Trin as a person. I don't have enough words to describe Trinity as a player, or as a person. Truly an incredible talent and I'm so thankful I was able to get to coach her!"
Chad Mayes | Head Women's Basketball Coach
Shearer leaves Asbury as one of the most decorated women's basketball players in AU history surpassing 1,000 career points, 300 rebounds, and over 250 assists in her career. This year she was named for the second-straight season as an NCCAA All-American and NCCAA Mideast All-Region First Team member. She achieved all these awards while also holding up a 3.72 GPA, making her a NCCAA Scholar-Athlete and Asbury Scholar-Athlete. Trinity was one of five finalists for the Kathy Freese-Peabody Award, that was announced March 19th by the NCCAA.
Pete Maravich Award Description
"Pistol Pete" Maravich was known for his ball handling, shooting abilities, and creative passing. Maravich set several collegiate records and was the 1970 Player of the Year. He was an NBA All-Star, named one of NBA's 50 greatest players, and inducted in the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1987. He came to know Christ later in his life and spent the last years of his life pointing people to Christ. He wanted to be remembered for serving Jesus to the utmost, rather than his basketball legacy.
Clayton Winter is a senior, Elementary Education major from Wilmore, Ky. Winter averaged a double-double on the season for AU, scoring 13.3 PPG and grabbing 13.1 RPG. Winter lead the entire NCCAA in RPG and total rebounds with 367.
The highlight of his season was on December 16th in a game against Crowley's Ridge College, Winter set a school-record for most rebounds in a single game with 32 in the 84-70 win. His 32 rebounds was just four shy of an NCAA Division-III single game record, passing CJ Perry's previous Asbury record of 25. Winter helped lead the Eagles to their third consecutive trip to the NCCAA National Tournament this season.
He led AU with 14 double-doubles on the season. With these numbers, Clayton was selected as the 2024 NCCAA Mideast Co-Player of the Year. Winter achieved all this success on the court while holding a 3.77 GPA, naming him as an NCCAA Scholar-Athlete and Asbury Scholar-Athlete. He was named one of four other finalists for the Pete Maravich Award, announced by the NCCAA on March 19th.
"Clayton exceeded our expectations this season in a big way. He's always been so valuable to us, but he really worked on his game outside of being an absolute force on the boards and it paid off for him and our team. We are so proud of Clayton and all his accomplishments!"
Russ Abner | Associate Head Men's Basketball Coach
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