FREDERICK, Md. – With another fantastic year for the Hood College men's basketball team in the books, the All-MAC Commonwealth awards were announced with Garrison Linton (New Market, Md./Oakdale), Garrett Cox (Glen Allen, VA/Glen Allen), and Head Coach Chad Dickman all receiving nominations.

Dickman received the Head Coach of the Year award, marking the first time he has won the award personally, following in his father Tom's footsteps who previously won the honor in 2006-07. This year's squad has come out on top against multiple top-25 ranked opponents, beating No. 12 Cal Lutheran, No. 14 Catholic, and No. 16 Widener, en route to a MAC Commonwealth Championship appearance and an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament, finishing the year with a 19-6 overall record, and an 11-3 conference record. When asked about the award, Dickman said, "It's pretty cool, but it speaks more to our program than me. To win [Coach of the Year], you need a strong coaching staff and a great group of talented players who let you coach them and buy into what you're preaching. Fortunately for me, I have both."

Linton receives his second All-MAC Commonwealth First Team nomination in a row after leading the conference with 152 assists, averaging 11.5 points per game. The junior guard also recorded back-to-back triple-doubles against Eastern and Alvernia, tying and then breaking the school record for career triple-doubles. "He's starting to become an on-court leader and take control of the game more and more…" said Dickman when asked about his performance, "He knows our offensive philosophy, he sees the floor well, and his size allows him to make passes that some shorter guards aren't capable of making."

After being unable to play the previous two seasons, Cox earned a spot on the All-MAC Commonwealth Second Team, making a statement in his first full year playing, leading both sides of the conference in three-point shooting with 48 percent, and finishing right behind Linton in scoring with 11.4 points-per-game. When asked about Cox's honor in his first season, Coach Dickman said, "I'm extremely happy for Garrett – he has been everything we expected and more in his return to the court… He's come back with barely any rust and hasn't missed a beat. His return has definitely added a new dimension to our offensive and defensive attack."

The team's season stayed alive after receiving an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament, where the Blazers will face off against Penn State-Harrisburg at Guilford College in Greensboro, N.C. Friday, March 1 at 5:30 p.m.