Roquemore wins MVP in Southeast

Foothill guard Evan Roquemore proved he was a capable scorer last season, leading the Falcons with 14.2 points per game.

But his game didn't become complete until this season, when the senior developed point guard skills, Foothill coach Kevin Soares said.

Roquemore was rewarded for his improved play by Southeast League coaches, who recently voted the 6-foot-3-inch floor general the league's Most Valuable Player.

"I think in one season, from his junior year to senior year, we've never had anybody make a progression like he has," said Soares, who was voted Coach of the Year. "Last year he was our leading scorer but wasn't the main ball-handler. He really stepped into that role this year."

Roquemore led the Falcons in points (23.3), rebounds (6.0) and assists (5.2), carrying Foothill (23-7) to the Southeast title and the Sunrise Region final.

"I knew I needed to step up and lead," Roquemore said. "They knew that I was the right person to do that."

Roquemore said he has scholarship offers from Air Force, Eastern Washington and Southern Methodist and is drawing interest from Ball State, Hawaii, Santa Clara and UNLV.

In the Northeast, Las Vegas senior swingman Tyree Anderson and Canyon Springs junior guard Michael Thompson shared MVP, and Canyon Springs' Daryl Branham and Chaparral's Ennis Wesley split Coach of the Year.

Palo Verde swept the top awards in the Northwest, with senior forward Moses Morgan taking MVP and Jermone Riley earning Coach of the Year.

In the Southwest, Bishop Gorman senior point guard Johnathan Loyd took MVP, and Western's Chip Nelson was named Coach of the Year.

Contact reporter Tristan Aird at taird@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5203.