TCCAA announces 2025-26 Men’s Basketball All-Conference Teams and Special Awards

GALLATIN, TN – The Tennessee Community College Athletic Association announced its 2025-26 Men's Basketball All-TCCAA Teams and Special Awards on Saturday during the TCCAA/Region 7 Tournament at Volunteer State Community College. 

Walters State's Da'Mori Lytch was named the TCCAA Player of the Year, and Volunteer State's Jailen Hardaway was awarded the TCCAA Offensive Player of the Year. The Defensive Player of the Year went to Columbia State's Nathan Malosa, and Roane State's Mikey Carpenter and Walters State's Tyrese Stovall shared TCCAA Freshman of the Year honors. Walters State's Jerry Nichols was the TCCAA Coach of the Year. 

Lytch was as consistent as they come for the Senators during the season. Lytch shot 69.8% from the field, averaged 13 points per game and 6.6 rebounds per game. Lytch scored double-digits in 19 games on the season. His best game came against Roane State on November 12 when he finished with 24 points and eight rebounds. Lytch had 18 and nine against Volunteer State on November 22 and Chattanooga State on December 3. 

The Offensive Player of the Year, Hardaway played in just 13 games but made the most of it. Hardaway averaged 18.2 points per game and shot 56.6 from the field. Hardaway scored double-digits in all 12 games he played in and had 29 points against Walters State on February 7. Hardaway also scored 27 points against Jackson State on February 18. 

The NJCAA leader in blocked shots, Malosa was named the TCCAA Defensive Player of the Year. Malosa finished the regular season with 97 blocks and collected 267 total rebounds. Malosa averaged 8.9 rebounds per game and 3.3 blocks per game. He had seven blocks in back-to-back games against Dyersburg State and Roane State on February 11 and 14, and he also finished with seven blocks in a game against Southwest Tennessee on February 25. 

Stovall and Carpenter shared TCCAA Freshman of the Year honors. Stovall averaged 10.4 points and six rebounds per game for Walters State, shooting 69% from the field. Stovall's best game came against Volunteer State on November 22, finishing with 20 points and 12 rebounds. Meanwhile, Carpenter averaged 13 points per game. Carpenter made 47 3-pointers and scored double-digits in 15 games. Carpenter scored a season-high 27 points on January 10 against Jackson State. 

For the second time in three years, Nichols was named the TCCAA Coach of the Year. Nichols helped guide Walters State to a 27-1 record and a 19-1 record in TCCAA play. The Senators were named the TCCAA Regular Season Champions and went a perfect 15-0 at home. Walters State is currently ranked No. 13 in the country. 

Named to the All-TCCAA First Team were Walters State's Lytch, Taquez Butler and Jamar Livingston, Chattanooga State's Odell Bradley IV and Nicholas Long, Columbia State's Jamison Glass and Malosa, Volunteer State's Hardaway, Dyersburg State's Elijah Causly and Motlow State's Sagna Ousseynou.

Members of the All-TCCAA Second Team were Cleveland State's Xavier Washington and Antwan Horton, Roane State's Da'Shawn Hall-Johnson, Adonai Mussie and Carpenter, Jackson State's Ron Brisbon, Walters State's Brian Carter, Motlow State's Jay'Byon Snipe, Pellissippi State's JoJo Lyles and Southwest Tennessee's Jeremiah Hayes.

Also honored were the Senators of Walters State.  They were the recipients of the James Cigliano Trophy which goes to the winner of the TCCAA Regular Season.  The Senators earned this award by finishing the conference season 19-1.