Chris Commons spent Tuesday afternoon studying and shooting baskets.
So much for celebrating his latest accolade.
The USC Aiken junior forward was named Peach Belt Conference co-Player of the Year along with Augusta State senior forward Tyrekus "A.J." Bowman in a vote by league coaches.
Bowman and Commons became the first players to share the award in 17 years.
"I'm excited, very happy, very blessed," Commons said. "I credit my teammates for helping me win it.
"I'm sure it was a tough decision. (Bowman) had a good senior season. He went through heart surgery. I congratulate him on winning as well."
Bowman, who underwent heart surgery two months before the season, became the fourth player in league history to win the award in consecutive years. After coming off the bench the first two games, Bowman finished third in conference scoring (18.9) and second in rebounding (7.5). He also helped lead Augusta State (22-5) to its second 20-win season in a row.
"I'm glad he got that considering where the year started for him," Jaguars coach Dip Metress said. "It's a tribute to him. And I think part of it had to do with his entire career."
Commons, who set a record by winning league Player of the Week honors five times, helped lead USC Aiken to its best record in school history (25-2), along with its first conference title in 15 seasons.
Commons also led the league in scoring (22.1) and finished seventh in rebounding (6.3).
"They're both very good players," Metress said. "They both deserve it."
Bowman and Commons also were named to the 12-player All-Conference team. Augusta State sophomore guard Ben Madgen and junior center Garret Siler also made the list, along with USC Aiken junior guard Jeremy Fears. Francis Marion's Simel Boyd was named Freshman of the Year.
USC Aiken junior guard Meredith Legg and Augusta State senior guard Deo Ngulela both were named to the women's All-Conference team. Legg averaged 16.9 points a game and led the league in 3-pointers (94) and free-throw percentage (89.6). Ngulela was second in league assists (6.1).
Lander's Tiara Good won Player of the Year honors for the second consecutive season. Georgia College & State's Dominique Huffin was named Freshman of the Year. Francis Marion's Heather Macy was named Coach of the Year.
Reach Chris Gay at (706) 823-3645 or chris.gay@augustachronicle.com.
MEN'S ALL-PEACH BELT CONFERENCE TEAM
| PLAYER | SCHOOL | POS. | YR. |
| Tyrekus 'A.J.' Bowman | Augusta State | F | Sr. |
| Aaron Clark | Georgia College & State | C | Sr. |
| Chris Commons | USC Aiken | F | Jr. |
| Jeremy Fears | USC Aiken | G | Jr. |
| William Kane | Armstrong Atlantic State | G | Sr. |
| Shaun Keaton | Georgia College & State | G | Jr. |
| Ben Madgen | Augusta State | F | Soph. |
| Andre Morgan | North Georgia | G | Jr. |
| Nick Pope | North Georgia | F | Sr. |
| Anthony Sargent | Georgia Southwestern State | G | Jr. |
| Garret Siler | Augusta State | C | Jr. |
| Michael Sloan | Clayton State | G | Sr. |
CO-PLAYERS OF THE YEAR: Tyrekus 'A.J.' Bowman, Augusta State, and Chris Commons, USC Aiken
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR: Simel Boyd, Francis Marion
COACH OF THE YEAR: Vince Alexander, USC Aiken
WOMEN'S ALL-PEACH BELT CONFERENCE TEAM
| PLAYER | SCHOOL | POS. | YR. |
| LaShonda Chiles | Lander | G | Sr. |
| Tiara Good | Lander | G | Sr. |
| Kaneetha Gordon | Armstrong Atlantic State | F | Sr. |
| Maria Grimes | Columbus State | G | Sr. |
| Megan Huffman | North Georgia | G | Sr. |
| Meredith Legg | USC Aiken | G | Jr. |
| Syretha Marble | North Georgia | F | Jr. |
| Deo Ngulela | Augusta State | G | Sr. |
| Shantel Ragin | Clayton State | F | Sr. |
| Kourtney Singleton | North Georgia | F | Sr. |
| Brittany Young | Francis Marion | G | Sr. |
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Tiara Good, Lander
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR: Dominique Huffin, Georgia College & State
COACH OF THE YEAR: Heather Macy, Francis Marion
CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT
WHEN: Today-Sunday
WHERE: USC Aiken Convocation Center
TICKETS: $5 today; $6 Thursday and Friday; $7 Saturday and Sunday; senior citizens and students under 18, $5; students at Peach Belt schools, free with valid ID
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