MACON, Ga. – The Atlantic Sun Conference announced its 2012-13 postseason honors Tuesday and North Florida basketball standouts Parker Smith and Beau Beech were among the group of players recognized by the league's head coaches.
A second-team all-conference selection last season, Smith was named to the All-Atlantic Sun first-team this year while Beech was a unanimous selection for the All-Freshmen team. It is only the second time in program history for multiple Ospreys to earn all-conference honors in the same season.
Smith, a senior from Gainesville, Ga., became the first player in UNF program history to garner first-team all-conference accolades at the Division I level while also becoming the first player with multiple postseason honors in a career.
A native of Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., Beech is just the second Osprey player to be named to the A-Sun All-Freshmen squad. Current senior Andy Diaz made the list in 2009-10.
“It's always a tribute to the team and program when players receive individual honors,” said UNF head coach Matthew Driscoll. “Parker's selection as the program's first first-team all-conference player is a testament to the hours of work he puts in honing his talent when nobody was watching. He is without question the best tough three-point shot maker that I have ever coached. Beau really developed and elevated his game throughout the season. With his size, versatility and work ethic, he has a chance to be a special player in this league for three more years. I'm very proud of them both and feel that their honors are well deserved.”
This season has been an historic one for Smith, who leaves UNF having set the program's single game (11), single season (110) and career (296) records for three-pointers made as well as a member of the program's 1,000-Point Club. His 110 treys this year also established a new conference record and he is just four three-pointers shy of becoming only fourth player in A-Sun history with 300 treys made in a career. In addition, Smith led the conference in three-pointers made and three-point percentage along with ranking fourth in scoring. He is currently ranked 6th in the NCAA for 3PM/game.
Beech, who has started 27 of UNF's 31 games this season, ranks among the team leader in several categories including scoring (8.0 ppg), rebounding (3.9 rpg), assists (39), steals (35) and three-pointers (47). He tallied double-digit points in 11 games including scoring a career best 17 points three times against A-Sun foes. Beech also ranked among the conference leaders in three-pointers and steals.
The Ospreys return to the hardwood Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. against Florida Gulf Coast in opening round action of the General Shale Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament at Mercer's Hawkins Arena.
