Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302

2021-2022 All-CCIW Men's Basketball Teams

Feb. 22, 2022 - North Central College men's basketball student-athletes Matthew Helwig and Blaise Meredith have been recognized for their superior on-court performance this season with selections to the 2021-2022 All-College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Teams. Helwig is one of eight selections to the All-Conference First Team, while Meredith is part of the eight-man Second Team.

Helwig is a first-time All-Conference honoree and receives the distinction on the heels of a regular season which saw him rank fifth among all NCAA Division III players in scoring at a CCIW-best 24.7 points per game. Helwig also leads the conference in free-throw percentage (.905), free throws made (133) and field goals made (201) while also sitting sixth in rebounds per game (7.6) and ninth in assists per game (2.9). Only one other player in the CCIW attempted as many free throws as Helwig made this season.

Meredith, meanwhile, becomes the fifth player in the Cardinals' history to earn All-CCIW accolades four times after Second Team selections in 2018-19 and 2019-20 before a First Team nod in 2020-2021. He has put up 15.0 points and 5.5 rebounds per game this season and became North Central's 29th 1,000-point scorer Jan. 17 at Augustana College. Meredith currently ranks 19th in program history in scoring (1,194 points) while sitting third in games played (116), ninth in three-pointers made (146) and 10th in blocked shots (66).

The CCIW also announced the nine winners of its RESPECT Award for the season. RESPECT Award recipients have distinguished themselves as an integral member of the team, their institution and community by upholding the values of Responsibility, Enthusiasm, Service, Pride, Excellence, Collaboration and Trust. The RESPECT Award recognizes the intangible traits a student-athlete possesses that exemplify great character and encourages inclusiveness and a positive culture. North Central's RESPECT Award honoree is junior guard Shea Cupples.

The Cardinals (15-9) host Millikin University (14-11) in the first round of the CCIW Tournament Tuesday. Tipoff at Gregory Arena is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. and the College is allowing for full spectator capacity. Click HERE for links to live coverage.

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