March 3, 2006                                   

Buckson Player of the Year

Gaffney Player Excels in First Season

SPARTANBURG, S.C. –  Phillip Buckson, a freshman forward from Gaffney, was chosen as Region 10 Men’s Basketball Player of the Year and First Team All Region 10.

“I don’t know how many freshmen in the country can say they were player of the year in the league on top of being named First Team All-Region,” said Rob Burke, Pioneers Head Men’s Basketball Coach. According to Burke, for Buckson to come in as a freshman, to play 30 games and face league opponents once, then to be picked Player of the Year is special. Burke added that this is a huge honor for Buckson, plus it is a big honor for the Men’s Basketball program at the same time.

“It’s a testament to who (Buckson) is as a person, not so much to his basketball playing, because there were two other players who averaged more points than him. But he touches almost every category in the stats sheet as far as points, offensive and defensive rebounds, steals, assists and blocks,” Burke added, stating that Buckson is the “go to guy” for the team.

Buckson came to SMC this past fall from Gaffney High School. The team was second-seed going into the regional tournament March 2 at Kinston, N.C. Buckson scored 13 points in his first regional tournament in which the Pioneers defeated Rockingham Community College 81-69.  In regular season play, the Pioneers are 12-4 in the conference and 20-10 overall. 

The last Pioneer to be named Player of the Year was James Scott in 1992.