(Editor’s note: Carroll College media release)
HELENA — After the program’s first-ever appearance in the NAIA national championship game, four Carroll College Fighting Saints were named to the NAIA men’s basketball all-America teams or recognized as honorable mentions, the NAIA announced on Thursday.
“These four definitely deserve this all-American recognition as they displayed their talents in Kansas City,” Saints coach Kurt Paulson said. “They are complete players and also take academics seriously. They represent Carroll with class.”
Senior Match Burnham, the Frontier Conference player of the year, was named to the all-America first team. The NAIA recognized him as an honorable mention a season ago. The 6-foot-8 forward from Spangle, Washington, capped his senior campaign with averages of 20.4 points, six rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. He shot 51 percent from the field, 39 percent from the 3-point line and 86 percent from the foul line.
Senior Matt Wyman earned third-team all-America honors. The 6-7 guard from Great Falls returned from a knee injury late in the season to post averages of 16.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game. He shot 60 percent from the field, 40 percent from the foul line and 81 percent from the free-throw line. In addition to his chops on the court, he was named a CoSIDA academic all-American this season, too.
Senior Ife Kalejaiye, of Rancho Palo Verdes, California, earned the distinction of honorable mention all-American. The 6-2 guard led Carroll’s defense and was a big contributor on offense. Kalejaiye averaged 11.6 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.6 steals per game this season. He shot 45 percent from the field, 43 percent from beyond the arc and 80 percent from the free-throw line.
Junior Dane Warp of Havre was noted as an honorable mention all-American. Warp’s scoring nearly tripled this season, as the 6-4 guard averaged 16.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.2 steals per game. Warp shot 55 percent from the field, 43 percent from the 3-point line and 74 percent from the foul line and posted the only known triple-double in school history this season.
The Saints finished the season 29-8, the second most wins in program history while advancing to the national championship for the first time ever.
