CALDWELL, N.J. -- D2EastHoops.com, which covers the region's men's and women's basketball teams and leagues, recently announced its first annual list of regional awards and all-stars.

Caldwell head men's coach Dean Johnson was selected the East's Coach of the Year, while freshman Darnell Evans (Deer Park, N.Y.) was named Rookie of the Year by the Website's editorial staff. 

Evans averaged 18.8 points and 3.8 assists per game, helping the Cougars to the NCAA East Regional, where his 22 points, six assists and four steals helped Caldwell to a first-round win over host and top seeded St. Anselm. He was also named to the All-CACC Tournament first team. Evans's scoring average ranked second in the league and his assist rate was third best.

Johnson, the CACC men's basketball Coach of the year, guided the Cougars to the CACC regular season and tournament championships and appearance in the NCAA Division II East Regional in his first year at the helm after 30 seasons as assistant to Mark Corino. Johnson's squad finished 22-7, which included a mid-season 10-game winning streak.

The East region encompasses the 35 institutions in the CACC, East Coast Conference and Northeast 10 Conference.