Earlham College | News from Public Affairs

Senior Markous Jewett averaged 18.5 points and 5.9 rebounds per game en route to earning All-NCAC first-team honors in men's basketball this season.

For senior Markous Jewett (Richmond, IN/ Richmond), the word brings a graduation ceremony and saying goodbye to mind.

For first-year Shontavia Davis (Indianapolis, IN/Warren Central), it's about the beginning of her collegiate experience.

Both Earlham College student-athletes have plenty to celebrate at the close of the 2006-07 basketball campaign.

A member of the All-North Coast Athletic Conference First Team this season, Jewett finished his four-year career with the men's basketball program as the seventh-best scorer in team history with 1,548 points. "The All-NCAC honor fulfills a goal," Jewett said. "When I was recruited by Coach Jeff Justus, he said I would have a chance to play right away and if I worked hard, I could be an all-conference player by the time I graduated."

After starting the last half of the 26 women's basketball games this winter, Davis received a major award from the conference. She was named the NCAC's "Co-Newcomer of the Year" along with Kym Wenz of the College of Wooster. "I was surprised," Davis said. "Kym is such an outstanding player, so to share this award is a big accomplishment."

According to Justus, the first-team honor was deserved for Jewett, who plans to continue playing basketball after graduating in May. "Markous had some of the best halves that turned into good games this season," Justus said. "He had a career-high 31 points against Wittenberg and 22 points against Ohio Wesleyan. Markous has really matured into a fine young man. I'm really happy he has shown the ability to accept responsibility and do the right things."

There is a feeling of mutual respect between coach and player. "No matter what happens I'm always going to look at Coach Justus as a great person and someone I can always look up to," the psychology major said. "After I transferred to Ball State in 2004 and then came back to Earlham the next season, Jeff was totally for my return. He really wanted me to know that he was with me and he wanted me to succeed. I've learned a lot about life and not just basketball."

On the court this season, the 6-6 forward averaged 18.5 points and 5.9 rebounds per game for the Quakers. "It's going to be hard to find someone to replace him next year," Justus said. "Markous was probably one of the top two or three offensive players in the league, and on any given night he was capable of putting up big numbers."

Jewett hopes his numbers are good enough to get noticed so he can have some professional basketball experience before starting a career as a teacher and coach. "I'm working out and trying to push myself to stay ready to play, even though I don't know what's around the corner," he said.

First-year Shontavia Davis averaged 14.4 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game over the last 10 contests of this season and was named the NCAC's "Co-Newcomer of the Year" in women's basketball.

Davis was the top scorer for the Earlham women's team this season at 10.8 points per game, but eight games into the schedule she was only scoring 5.6 points a contest. "I had to figure out my place on the team," the biology student said. "I didn't know what I could do and what I shouldn't do, and I was also really nervous."

"Getting Shontavia to understand what we needed her to do on the court was the key," Earlham women's basketball coach Liana Coutts said. "It's very competitive just to get an opportunity to play as a first-year, so to be recognized by the conference is great for Shontavia."

The 5-8 forward eventually developed her understanding of the college game. "Just playing helped the most and I became more comfortable," Davis said. "I felt like I gained confidence and was doing well."

"Shontavia can handle the ball and is probably our best passer," Coutts said. "She can create her own shots, and she's very smart on the court. Her strength is that she has a lot of things she can do on a basketball court. I can even throw her in at point guard, and she has the understanding of everybody's cuts and responsibilities."

Davis was pleased to be one of four Earlham women's players honored by the NCAC. Junior Whitney McBurrows (Lansing, MI/J.W. Sexton) was named to the All-NCAC Second Team, while sophomore Tasha Merrill (Cedar Grove, IN/Franklin County) and first-year Starr Gary (Indianapolis, IN/Northwest) received honorable mention. "We've opened a lot of eyes this year," Davis said. "We gained some respect, and I think we can make some big strides next year."

While Davis' next basketball game isn't until November, the next big event for Jewett will be graduation ceremonies on Saturday, May 5. Whatever the meaning, these student-athletes are celebrating "commencement" at Earlham.

Contact:
Don Tincher, sports information director
765/983-1795 — E-Mail Don