Division II-AA, Middle Region MVP Race

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>PICTURED: [player_tooltip player_id='1572632' first='Cam' last='Blivens']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Enjoy this showcase of the wonderfully talented Middle Region. Representatives M.B.A. and Ensworth advanced to the 2025 State Tournament where each lost in the Final Four. John Paul II, who unlike the previous two brought nearly everyone back, was a mere one game away from state. Who will win the DII-AA Middle Region MVP?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>MVP:</em></strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1572632' first='Cam' last='Blivens']</strong> - Lipscomb Academy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Best player on the best team. This could change. [player_tooltip player_id='1560719' first='Trey' last='Pearson'] is special. It is just impossible to take away the MVP from [player_tooltip player_id='1572632' first='Cam' last='Blivens'] at January's midpoint. He is smashing peers with his elite quickness, handle, and scoring. Blivens (22.2 ppg) sliced through Christ Presbyterian Academy (CPA) January 16th in what is now a typical performance. [player_tooltip player_id='1572632' first='Cam' last='Blivens'] averages 5.5 rebounds per game, 3.0 assists per game, and 2.5 spg. Though Blivens verbally committed to Columbia University football he did not sign meaning he was uncommitted until this weekend when he verbally committed to Clemson football. Basketball recruiters were hovering, hoping to bring him to their programs. The senior is talented enough to play either sport in college.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other MVP Candidates: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1560719' first='Trey' last='Pearson']</strong> (2026) - John Paul II - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1578715' first='Osby' last='Cavin']</strong> (2026) - John Paul II, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2308938' first='Steven' last='Sherman']</strong> (2026) - Ensworth</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>First Team Predictions:</strong></em> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1578715' first='Osby' last='Cavin'] (2026) - </em>Pope John Paul II</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1560719' first='Trey' last='Pearson'] (2026) - </em>Pope John Paul II</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id='2308938' first='Steven' last='Sherman'] (2026) - Ensworth</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1572632' first='Cam' last='Blivens'] (2026) - Lipscomb Academy</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id='2571757' first='Nash' last='Stark'] (2026) - Lipscomb Academy</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>John Paul II star guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1578715' first='Osby' last='Cavin']</strong> was the best player in November and still maintains a 18.3 ppg average though his field goal percentage (42%) dipped some in the intervening months. Cavin made 93 free throws already this year. He and teammate <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1560719' first='Trey' last='Pearson']</strong> get to the line a ton.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pearson entered the season the favorite for the Region MVP here. We still rank him #2 and he could wind up #1 overall in the Class of 2026 following in the tradition of former #1's <strong>Christian Brown</strong>, <strong>Darius Garland</strong>, <strong>Keon Johnson</strong>, etc.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1560719' first='Trey' last='Pearson'] affects the game in so many ways: rebounding, defending, scoring, passing, communicating. He is a winner too. Peach Jam Champion. 16u Peach Jam Champion in 2024. In the tough February and March battles [player_tooltip player_id='1560719' first='Trey' last='Pearson'] is the guy you want in your trench. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2571757' first='Nash' last='Stark']</strong> (Lipscomb Academy) is the one fringe First Team dude as I work to constrict the teams to five players each. His team dominates nightly and his impact trails only Blivens. The senior forward rebounds exceptionally and hits shots out to 18'. An argument could be made for and against his inclusion certainly. Trevecca Nazarene University and Wheaton College offered Nash, so far. In the end, the best team (so far) relies heavily upon him and what more can be asked of [player_tooltip player_id='2571757' first='Nash' last='Stark']?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Breakout star <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2308938' first='Steven' last='Sherman'] </strong>continues to make the most of his transfer from LaVergne, dumping in buckets for Ensworth and surging out in transition. The Ensworth zone gives people problems and Sherman typically benefits from any turnovers forced.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->