INDIANAPOLIS (USBWA) – Curt Heinz of Maine Maritime Academy (Castine, Maine) and Kacie Kranson of the University of Scranton (Scranton, Pa.) were named the U.S. Basketball Writers Association Division III National Players of the Week for the period ending January 12.
Heinz, a 6-8 senior forward from Stuttgart, Germany, helped lead Maine Maritime Academy to three conference victories last week. In the Mariners’ 85-68 win over Vermont State Johnson on Monday, Heinz recorded a double-double of 32 points (11-of-19 FG, 9-of-14 FT, 1-of-4 3FG) and 19 rebounds along with seven assists, one steal, and five blocks. The next day, against Vermont State Lyndon, he totaled 21 points (7-of-10 FG, 6-of-8 FT, 1-of-2 3FG), eight rebounds, five assists, one steal, and two blocks in a 70-58 victory. Then, on Friday against Lesley, Heinz recorded a triple-double, the 11th in NCAA Division III this season. He finished with 22 points (8-of-15 FG, 6-of-7 FT), 21 rebounds, 10 assists, and four blocks in the 82-56 victory. For the week, Heinz averaged 25.0 points, 16.0 rebounds, 7.3 assists, 0.7 steals, and 3.7 blocks while shooting 59.1 percent (26-of-44) from the field, 72.4 percent (21-of-29) from the foul line, and 25.0 percent (2-of-8) from three-point range. For his efforts, Heinz was also selected the North Atlantic Conference (NAC) Player of the Week.
Kranson, a 5-11 junior guard from Scranton, Pa., helped lead No. 2/3 (WBCA/D3hoops.com) Scranton to a pair of victories, including one against a ranked opponent. In an 82-57 win over then-No. 17 (D3hoops.com) Elizabethtown on Wednesday, she scored 24 points (6-of-15 FG, 11-of-12 FT, 1-of-5 3FG), grabbed five rebounds, dished out a pair of assists, and recorded two steals. On Saturday against Susquehanna, Kranson scored a season-high 31 points (10-of-15 FG, 9-of-10 FT, 2-of-4 3FG) in the Lady Royals’ 72-45 victory. She added nine rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a block in the contest. For the week, Kranson averaged 27.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 2.0 steals, and 0.5 blocks while shooting 53.3 percent (16-of-30) from the field, 90.9 percent (20-of-22) from the foul line and 33.3 percent (3-of-9) from beyond the arc. For her efforts, Kranson was also named the Landmark Conference Player of the Week.
Each Tuesday, the USBWA is selecting men's and women's Division III National Players of the Week. This is the 10th season that the USBWA will recognize national players of the week from Division III.
The U.S. Basketball Writers Association was formed in 1956 at the urging of then-NCAA Executive Director Walter Byers. With some 900 members worldwide, it is one of the most influential organizations in college basketball. It has selected an All-America team since the 1956-57 season. For more information on the USBWA and its award programs, contact executive director Malcolm Moran at 814-574-1485.
2024-25 USBWA Division III National Players of the Week
• Week ending Nov. 10: Lucas Lesko, Wilkes University; Destiny Matthews, Concordia University (Texas)
• Week ending Nov. 17: Adam Brazil, Hampden-Sydney College; Mary Schluesner, Washington & Lee University
• Week ending Nov. 24: Octavio Brito, Keene State University; Natalie Gricius, Carroll University
• Week ending Dec. 1: Billy Ray Barnes III, Dean College; Korin Baker, Whitman College
• Week ending Dec. 8: Owen Liss, Norwich University; Kendall Harris, Hamilton College
• Week ending Dec. 15: Devon Lewis, California Lutheran University; Jordan Carpenter, Penn State Harrisburg
• Week ending Jan. 5: Felix Kloman, Babson College; Zoe Tomlinson, Colorado College
• Week ending Jan. 12: Curt Heinz, Maine Maritime Academy; Kacie Kranson, University of Scranton