Jordan Cain became the first Iowa Central men’s basketball player since Tray Croft nearly a decade ago to be named the Region 11 player of the year.

Cain was one of three Tritons selected for the first team in the region, as he also was placed on the all-defensive squad. Iowa Central reached the NJCAA Div. II National Tournament’s final four, placing a program all-time best fourth.

Joining Cain on the first team were CJ Mitchell and Aleix Sempere. Tashun Pender made the second squad; Jalen Wynter was an honorable mention selection.

Croft earned the top award during the 2017-18 season for Iowa Central.

“Really proud of all five sophomores and their accomplishments,” ICCC head coach Mason Denholm said. “To be recognized by the other coaches in the league says a lot. To have five all-region selections and three on the first team is amazing.

“Jordan being the player of the year was something he’s had as a goal to achieve since he arrived on campus. I knew he had the potential to be that, so it was great to see.”

The Tritons finished second in the ICCAC, winning the Region 11-B Tournament title and a district championship to qualify for nationals for the first time since 2012 and only the fourth time in program history.

“These guys understood you can have great stats, but if you don’t win games, you won’t be recognized,” Denholm said. “They all have sacrificed some individual numbers for our team to win, and to me, that’s the most impressive thing.”

Cain averaged 18.3 points per game with 5.5 rebounds and two steals. He scored over 30 points four times, including three games vs. NJCAA ranked opponents during one stretch of the year.

“Getting player of the year is very rewarding and a blessing because it shows that all the hard work, dedication and effort have paid off from year one to year two,” Cain said. “Being recognized makes the long practices and challenges worth it, and motivates me to keep improving.

“This season was also very rewarding. All the preparation and teamwork have helped lead us to where we are, and it feels great to see the results of the hard work.”

Mitchell led the ICCAC in assists with 171, scoring 14 points per contest. He shot 47 percent from the field and 35 percent from the 3-point line.

Sempere averaged a double-double at 14.8 points and 10 rebounds, shooting 63 percent from the floor.

Pender was the fourth-leading scorer at 13.6 a night, shooting 64 percent from the field with nearly nine rebounds. Wynter, meanwhile, added 11 points and three made 3-pointers per game.

All five players named are sophomores for Denholm, who was in his first season as head coach after serving in an assistant coach role last year.

Kaden Tate of DMACC was named the defensive player of the year. His head coach, Blake Sandquist, earned his third straight coach of the year award.