Dougie Bennett receives the 2016/17 MVP award from Paul Levett;
Dave Ryan reports…
Dougie Bennett collected an award for the second successive season as he was voted Levett Essex Leopards Most Valuable player for the 2016/17 season.
The Brentwood-based guard won the club’s Most Improved Player award in 2015/16 but went one better this season as the club’s supporters voted for him as player of the year.
Despite missing most of the second half of the season, veteran forward Mike Martin finished second with American guard AJ Roberts finishing third.
General manager Dave Ryan had praise for Bennett: “Dougie’s really improved over the last two years, and with Mike out injured he stepped up and took on the responsibility of being captain. I’m really pleased that our fans have recognised that.”
Forward Jamie Hayes collected the Most Improved Player trophy – which was decided by former coach Steve Ogunjimi and assistant Roger Malpass – after a season that saw him gain a regular spot in the starting line-up.
Bennett obviously has the taste for silverware as he picked up the Levett Challenge Cup following Sunday’s 81-60 victory against Oaklands Wolves at the Brentwood Centre.
Led by game MVP Shaq Lewis, the Big Cats never trailed in the game but the young Oaklands players – several of whom are likely to be in contention for a place on Leopards’ bench next season – never gave up and provided an entertaining game for another big crowd at Brentwood.
