AUSTINTOWN – Junior Malcolm Heard II and senior Brandon Candella have earned All-Ohio Athletic Conference recognition, the league announced today.

For the second consecutive season, Heard (Wilmington, OH/Wilmington) has been named to the first team. Candella (West Chester, OH/Lakota West) earned second team designation.

"Brandon and Malcolm are having great years," said head coach K.C. Hunt. "It's a testament to their teammates that put them in position to be successful. They have been our glue all year long."

Heard is one of two OAC players that are ranked in the top five in both scoring and rebounding. He is second in the league with 7.6 rebounds and fifth with 16.3 points. He has led the Fightin' Quakers in both scoring and rebounding in 14 of the team's 26 games. He scored his 1,000th career point in the season finale against Mount Union.

The junior forward was selected as the OAC Player of the Week three times this season, including back-to-back awards in the final two weeks of the season. In the final five weeks of the season, Heard has been dominant. He is averaging 20.1 points and 9.0 rebounds in the final 11 games as he has been the leading scorer in nine of those contests.

"Malcolm has established himself as a special player in the OAC," said Hunt. "He has really worked on his game, and he spent countless hours in the gym over the summer."

From the beginning of the season it was apparent that Candella has taken his game to another level. He is tenth in the league with 14.6 points per game, and has eclipsed his previous seasonal highs in every offensive category. He recently became the 24th member of Wilmington's 1,000-point club. He was the team's leading scorer in seven games, and reached double figures in 23 of the team's 26 games.

"Brandon has been a great senior leader," said Hunt. "He has shown leadership and inspiration throughout the season. It is great to see his growth."

Wilmington (14-12) faces Marietta 7:30 p.m. today in the semifinals of the Ohio Athletic Conference tournament.