Jan. 30, 2008

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - West Florida forward Charles Bouie earned his first-ever East Division Player of the week award and is UWF's third honoree this season. His performance in the last two games not only earned the conference weekly award, but he put his stamp in the UWF record book for blocks. The defensive guru led the Argonauts to a 1-1 week, averaging 15.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 7.0 blocks in 32.5 minutes of action. He also shot 58.3 percent from the field and 76.2 percent from the charity stripe. Earlier this year, Kenny Holmes earned a Player of the Week award for the men, and Chelsea Patterson was honored from the Women's team.

Last Saturday, Bouie played just 28 minutes in a 75-70 overtime loss versus Montevallo, but he made the most of his opportunities scoring 11 points, pulling down seven rebounds and adding six blocks. The Pahokee, FL native capped the week, leading West Florida to its first GSC win of the season, nearly notching a triple-double in a 66-54 triumph at West Alabama on Monday night. Bouie led all players with 19 points, while grabbing nine rebounds and blocking a GSC season-high eight shots in 37 minutes of action. He tied the single game high for blocks in Argo history, matching Kelly Powe (Jan.10, 2000), and in the process passed Powe for the single season record, as he now has 72 blocks on the season. Bouie is the Gulf South Conference leader, with nearly 30 more than his closest competitor.

When Bouie was imformed of the record, he was a little surprised, but excited, "I have always wanted to set a block record, ever since my freshman year at Western Carolina. My friend Rans Brempong was a Senior and a great shot-blocker, and he motivated me, and I told him I wanted to break his record." In regards to his shot-blocking ability, Bouie responded, "It's a natural thing for me, and it is a great way for me to help the team do well. I tell all my teammates, `I got your back."

In regards to Bouie's shot-blocking records, Head Coach Don Hogan was impressed, "It is an amazing accomplishment, with eight games still to play. His individual accomplishment really helps the team and is a big reason that we lead the conference in field goal defense. Our guards can guard aggressively knowing that Charles is backing them up. Don't forget about Kenny (Holmes) also backing up the defense as he takes charges. The two of them inside are the keys to our outstanding team defense." The Argonauts as a team lead the entire Gulf South Conference in field goal percentage defense, and are currently fourth in the nation, holding their opponents to below 37% shooting from the field.

With eight games or more to play, Bouie has already eclipsed the single season mark, and is only 39 blocks short of the career mark at UWF, in less than one season of play. At his current pace, Bouie would finish the season with 103 blocks. Only two players in the history of the Gulf South Conference have recorded over 100 blocks, with Kimbrell Young (Mississippi College) holding the record with 125 during the 1982-83 season, and Daryl Thomas (West Alabama) recording 101 during the 1983-84 season. With his current total of 72, Bouie already has the fourth best season ever by a GSC player, with eight games to play. He is currently fifth in the entire nation for Division II Basketball with 3.8 blocks per game.