AUSTINTOWN – For the first time in school history, a men's basketball player has earned the Ohio Athletic Conference's top honor.

[2014 All-Ohio Athletic Conference team]

Senior Malcolm Heard II (Wilmington, OH/Wilmington) has been named the OAC Player of the Year, the league announced today (February 28). By virtue of his Player of the Year status, Heard was also named first team. It's the third consecutive year he has earned first-team status. Joining Heard on the All-OAC team is junior R.J. Leppert (Liberty Township, OH/Lakota East), who earned second team honors. It's his first all-league award.

"I am so very proud to say that I got the opportunity to recruit and coach these two young men," said Wilmington head coach K.C. Hunt. "They are the definition of what is good about Division III Basketball."

Heard leads the OAC in scoring (18.7 points) and rebounds (7.9), and has earned Player of the Week honors three times this season. He scored at least 20 points 12 times this season, including a season-high 32 against Marietta earlier in the season. Heard also recorded 11 double-doubles to push his career total to 23.

"This is a much deserved honor for Malcolm," said Hunt. "It is a testament to his teammates for getting him in the best positions to be successful and to his incredible hard work in the off season. Malcolm in my opinion is one of the best players in the country and desires to be a first team all-American as well. The best part about about Malcolm is that he is a better teammate and person than player."

Leppert has reached double figures 20 times this season, and is second on the team in scoring 13.8 points. Between the pair, they have led the team in scoring in 26 of the team's 27 games.

"RJ Leppert is a complete player who brings it every day," said Hunt. "He is the ultimate competitor who affects the game in so many ways. This is a great honor for him but trust me the best is yet to come for RJ!"

Wilmington (18-8 overall) will host the OAC Tournament Final 7:30 p.m. Saturday against John Carroll. It's the third time in five years the Fightin' Quakers will be playing for the title, but the first time in school history they are hosting. Wilmington is 1-1 in championship games.