Jan 23, 2012
Women’s Basketball Player of the Week
Amber Williams ~ Azusa Pacific
Sophomore ~ 6-0 ~ Center ~ Claremont, Calif.
Amber Williams scored 51 points (25.5 ppg) and grabbed 33 rebounds (16.5 rpg) as No. 13-ranked Azusa Pacific won both of its conference games last week. She shot 16-for-35 (.457) from the field and 19-for-23 (.826) at the line. The senior center recorded double-doubles in both games, with 30 points and 19 rebounds at Point Loma Nazarene and 21 points and 14 rebounds against San Diego Christian. Williams leads the GSAC in scoring and rebounding and now has a total of 12 double-doubles for the season. Williams was named the NAIA Women’s Basketball Player of the Week for the second time this year.

Jan 23, 2012
Men’s Basketball Player of the Week
Preston Branson ~ Westmont
Junior ~ 6-5 ~ Guard ~ Dallas, Texas
Preston Branson averaged 23.5 points and 3 rebounds as Westmont split its conference games last week and currently is in a tie first place. For the week, he shot 15-for-27 (.556) from the field, including 2-for-2 from 3-point range, and was 15-for-18 (.833) at the line. The junior guard led the Warriors to a rare road win at No. 6-ranked Concordia with a season-high 35 points, making 12 of 14 (.857) from the floor, which broke Concordia’s 24-game home winning streak. Branson ranks first in the GSAC in overall scoring at 17.3 points per game.

Jan 16, 2012
Women’s Basketball Player of the Week
Esther Timmermans ~ Vanguard
Junior ~ 6-1 ~ Forward/Center ~ Melbourne, Australia
Esther Timmermans turned in a pair of double-double performances this week, notching season highs in points (27) and rebounds (13) in the win at San Diego Christian. In the win at The Master’s, she had 17 points, while shooting 8-for-9 from the field, and 12 rebounds. The junior forward/center averaged 22 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game while shooting 20-for-27 (.741) from the field. Her second and third double-doubles of the season helped Vanguard win 2 GSAC games on the road and remain in sole possession of second place in the conference standings.

Jan 16, 2012
Men’s Basketball Player of the Week
Christopher Raybon ~ Vanguard
Senior ~ 5-9 ~ Guard ~ Winnfield, La.
Chris Raybon averaged 20.5 points and 2.5 rebounds per game as Vanguard won both of its conference games on the road. Shooting from the 3-point line, Raybon drained 8 of 18 treys (.444). and made 11 of 13 free throws (.846) for the week. The senior guard had 17 points and 3 rebounds at San Diego Christian. Five of his three-pointers came in his 24-point performance that led the Lions to the crucial overtime win at No. 16-ranked The Master’s.