COWENS AWARDS: Greater Fall River boasts fine nominees

Greater Fall River once again boasts a fine collection of nominees forcitizens at the annual Dave Cowens Awards.

Due to corona virus concerns, the awards ceremony, scheduled for Wednesday, has been cancelled. But the female and male winners will still receive their trophies and all nominees will be given their plaques.

Twenty area schools are eligible to nominate one senior female and one senior male varsity basketball player for the prestigious awards. The Cowens Awards mark the unofficial end of the local high school basketball season.

Here are Greater Fall River nominees, by school:

DURFEE

Catherine Callahan

A four-year varsity player and two-year starter, the blue-collar Callahan averaged 6 points and 3.2 rebounds per game. She shot 81 percent from the foul line. She captained in both soccer and basketball. Callanhan is ranked 26th in the senior class with a GPA of 3.75 (4.37 weighted). Catherine also spent this last year as a member of Durfee's "Learn to Serve" Program which mentors Special Education students within the school.

Nelson DeCarvalho

On a team lacking height, DeCarvalho night in and night out battled much bigger players. The Hilltoppers’ leading rebounder, he could score from in close and medium range. DeCarvalho is a finer volleyball player in the spring. He takes all honors level courses and has a 2.9 GPA. “He carried himself in a positive and professional manner all season and remained optimistic,” coach Joe DaCruz said.

BISHOP CONNOLLY

Shelby Hibbert

An all-star soccer goalie in the fall, Hibbert was a solid contributor for the Cougars this past winter, with 130 points, 80 rebounds, 36 blocks and 40 steals. A four-year honor roll student, Hibbert plans to study criminal justice in college. Throughout hert high school years, Hibbert has been an active member in her community, performing service with her church's youth group.

A.J. Sousa

The former Dartmouth High player made his one year in Cougar Land something indeed. A 6-foot-2 center-forward, he averaged 18.1 points and 6 rebounds per game and had a single-game scoring high of 31. He helped Connolly to an MAC co-championship and top seed in D4 South. He has a 3.1 GPA, taking honors math and chemistry. He plans to study chemistry in college. He coached and has been a counselor in youth basketball leagues and camps.

SOMERSET BERKLEY REGIONAL

Jessica Salamone

A focused forward, Salamone scored a team-high 258 points this season while averaging 4 rebounds per game and was named a South Coast Conference all star for the second time. Owner of 4.27 GPA, Salamone is a member of the National Honor Society, Big Buddy, ABC, and World Language. She is the treasurer for both DECA and National Honor Society.

Austin Macek

A talented point guard and shooter, Macek was not above mixing it up inside. He averaged 14.5 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists per game and came up with 44 steals. An SCC all-star, Macek also plays soccer and tennis. He owns a 3.46 GPA. He competed in DECA competitions and was part of the Anti-Bullying Coalition and the Big Buddy program.

JOSEPH CASE

Amber Arruda

Her senior year has been one of excellence, on many fronts. An all-star volleyball player, she kept up the good work in the winter, averaging 10 rebounds and 7.5 points per game. Ranked 19th in Case’s senior class, Arruda owns a 3.9 GPA and has made honor roll 14 straight terms. She is also vice-president of the National Honor Society.

Alex Levesque

On a team that seemed to play shorthanded more often than not, Levesque took a lot of weight o his shoulders and never buckled. The point guard averaged 14.7 points, 5.5 assists and 2.3 steals per game. A unanimous South Coast Conference all star, Levesque will likely attend Bridgewater State University or Bristol Community College.

DIMAN REGIONAL

Selena Mendes

An old-school, hard-nosed player, Mendes turned in a very consistent senior season for the Bengals. She averaged 7.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game. A Mayflower Athletic Conference all star and Diman’s Outstanding Player award winner, Mendes is a standout student, is a leading member of the graphic design shop, a member of DECA , and a member of the International Club and student government. She intends to go to UMASS Boston to study criminal justice.

Ryan Viveiros

Already well known and highly regarded as a baseball player, Viveiros this past winter emerged as a top-notch basketball player and one of the area’s top 3-point shooters. A Mayflower Athletic Conference all star, he averaged 12.4 points and 7 rebounds per game. His 41 3-pointers set a school record. Ryan took his role as captain seriously and was a steady presence,” coach Tom Librera wrote.

WESTPORT

The Westport girls had no seniors.

Conor Lecomte

A miniature Dave Cowens, Lecomte did as lot of everything in helping the Wildcats to the MAC Comp co-championship. A 5-10 forward, Lecomte averaged 10.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2 steals per game. Owner of a 4.1 GPA, he tutors and is involved in other school functions. He is a three sport captain and part timeworker who plans to attend Roger Williams or Endicott to major in cyber security and computer science.

BISHOP STANG

Michelle King

A four-year varsity player and a two-year starter, King this past season averaged 8 points and 6 points per game, routinely doing the little things needed for a team to succeed. A fine volleyball player, an honor roll student and a National Latin Exam Award winner, King aims to continue to play volleyball, at either Wentworth or Suffolk University, majoring in industrial design or marketing.

Aaron James

What the Spartans needed from James was defense, defense, and more defense, and he took the very unglamorous assignment very seriously. He routinely covered the opponent’s top scorer. He is a Stang career honor student looking to study biomedical engineering. “A great role model with a contagious smile,” coach Colbey Santos wrote. “Aaron also received this year's MLK award presented by the boys and girls club. Aaron is a complete student athlete.”

The other nominees, by school:

Apponequet: Samantha Murray, Jack Bennett.

Bourne: Kaya Fernandes, Steve Barmashi.

Coyle & Cassidy: Mina Pabst, Djine Kurtees Poisson.

Dartmouth: Lindsey Oliveira, Eric Viera.

Fairhaven: Cassidy Vuolo, Dylan Cantara.

Greater New Bedford Regional: Tianna Bulgar, Brennen Rosa.

New Bedford: Kelsey Rezendes, Carlos Lugo.

Old Colony Regional: Katherine Kirby, Hunter Soares.

Old Rochester Regional: Mary Butler, Jonah DePina.

Wareham: Grace Cerrato, Joseph Silvia.

Taunton High School and Bristol-Plymouth Regional had no nominees.