NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Carson-Newman senior foward John Zhao (Sevierville, Tenn.) has garned state player of the week honors from the Tennessee Sportswriters' Association, the organization announced late Tuesday evening.

Zhao earns TSWA honors for the first time this season and the third time in his career. He is the second Eagle to be recognized by the TSWA this season, joining Jack Browder (Kingsport, Tenn.).  

Browder also garnered the South Atlantic Conference's Player of the Week award.  

Zhao becomes the fifth weekly honoree from the league this season.  He joins Jack Browder, who has won the award three times, and Nick Brenegan, who has won it once. 

This is Zhao's third career honor from the league.  He was recognized twice as a junior. 

Zhao helped C-N to two wins last week, prevailing at Mars Hill 89-74 on Wednesday and 81-79 against Anderson on Saturday. 

For the week, Zhao averaged 25.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per game while shooting 53.8 percent from the field and 30.8 percent from deep. 

Zhao started his week with 17 points in the Eagles win at Mars Hill. He followed that up with a season-high 34 in C-N's 15-point comeback against Anderson. 

It was Zhao's seventh career 30-point night and the second of his senior season.  He scored 23 points in the second half to power the rally. 

With the effort, Zhao worked his way up to 1,286 career points, bypassing Andy Tipton, Eddie Carter and Hugh Clement to vault into the top 25 all-time in scoring at C-N. 

Zhao and the rest of the Eagles will be in action Saturday at Lenoir-Rhyne. Tipoff with the Bears is set for 4 p.m. from Shuford Arena.  Coverage on the Eagle Sports Network starts at 3:45 with the AEC Countdown to Tipoff on Mix 105.5 (WSEV-FM, Sevierville) and online at cneagles.com/live.