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Davender Captures MVP Honors At UK Basketball Awards Banquet
By Nick Nicholas
Last Friday evening Kentucky officially wrapped up its 1986-87 season with its basketball annual banquet. Junior guard Ed Davender was named the team's Most Valuable Player. Davender, who was Mr. Consistency this season, was the team's second-leading scorer (15.2 points per game) while starting in all 29 ballgames.
Among UK's starters, Davender captured the team's top free throw shooting award (73.8).
During the season, the Brooklyn product recorded the most minutes of any 'Cat (987). He finished second to freshman Rex Chapman in assists with 101.
Chapman. Paul Andrews and Steve Bruce also were awarded two achievements each. Andrews was given the team's leadership award and scholastic award. The latter is given to the player with the best academic record during his four years at UK.
Chapman received the freshman leadership trophy along with the award for most assists (103). This season Chapman led UK in scoring with a 16.0 average. In attendance in the packed Patterson Ball Room at the Lexington Civic Center was Rex's pop. Wayne Chapman. This past season the elder Chapman coached Kentucky Wesleyan to its fifth Division II title.
Bruce, a sophomore walkon from Versailles, was given the Christian-Athletic award, sponsored by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and the "110 Percent Award."
Other Wildcats receiving awards were: James Blackmon (outstanding senior), freshman Derrick Miller (fewest turnovers22), junior Richard Madison (most rebounds216), junior Rob Lock (sacrifice award for being on the receiving end of most charges), freshman Terry Shigg (110 percent award), and coach Eddie Sutton (Jefferson County Alumni Award).
UK's "Fan(s) of the Year" Award was given to Manuel Thornton and Bob Wiggins.
About the season Sutton said, "Eighteen-and-11 was certainly a disappointing season.
And I think it was disappointing to these young men who represented the University of Kentucky. But in some ways it was a tribute to them to be able to do what they did.
"There's no doubt the loss of Winston Bennett was a major catastrophe. Winston Bennett is a great basketball player as all of us know. I might add the doctors have indicated that he'll be at full speed next season.
"He hurt us not only by not being able to perform on the basketball court in the games, but he hurt us not being able to perform in practice. I've told the ballclub this, that it's not going to be that way next year.
"This team was not the hardest coached ballclub I've ever coached, in fact at times I felt like they were a little soft. I know one thing. Winston Bennett would have made all of our big guys a little tougher. We're looking forward to having him back next year."
The Committee of 101 also gave an "Appreciation Award. President of the 101 club. Van Florence, presented the award to seniors James Blackmon and Paul Andrews and walkons Tern Shigg and Steve Bruce.
Recipient of this year's Stella Gilb cheerleading award was Dale Baldwin. Baldwin, who's now confined to a wheelchair following a severe injury while performing a flip on a mini-trampoline, received a standing ovation.
During his speech T. Lynn Williamson, UK cheerleading advisor said, "This award is given to the outstanding member of the squad who best exemplifies a Wildcat cheerleader.
"The winner of this award has served not only as an example to the cheerleaders, but through undying courage, a cheerful smile, constant enthusiasm and a true character of a winner he has faced the most difficult of times and has served as an example as well
Rex Brings Home The Silver Plate
as an inspiration to all of us.'
MVP Ed Davender Accepts Award From Emmett Crump,
Rev. Wayne Smith And 101 President Van Florence       Derrick Miller Earned Fewest Turnovers Award