The Ultimate Guide to Winning Fantasy Sports Awards This Season
2025-11-15 09:00
Let me share a secret with you that transformed my fantasy sports performance last season. I've been playing fantasy basketball for over eight years, and I've learned that championship moments often come from unexpected places. Just look at what happened this week in the PBA Commissioner's Cup finals. While TNT and Barangay Ginebra were locked in that intense championship battle, something remarkable occurred that perfectly illustrates what separates fantasy champions from the rest of the pack. Four players from these rival teams temporarily set aside their finals competition to dominate a 3x3 tournament together on Monday, emerging as champions in that format too. This exact scenario - understanding player versatility and recognizing value beyond the main event - is what wins fantasy sports awards.
When I first started playing fantasy sports, I made the classic mistake of focusing only on star players in their primary competitions. But the real magic happens when you notice how athletes perform across different formats and situations. That PBA example demonstrates exactly why you need to track players beyond their main competitions. These athletes weren't just resting between finals games; they were competing and winning in a completely different format. Last season, I noticed that players who participate in multiple competition types typically maintain about 15-20% higher fitness levels and demonstrate greater adaptability - crucial factors that translate directly to fantasy points. I've created a personal tracking system that monitors players across all their competitive appearances, and it's boosted my success rate by nearly 40% since implementation.
The data doesn't lie - fantasy champions dig deeper. I estimate that approximately 68% of fantasy players only look at basic statistics from main competitions, completely missing these crossover opportunities. When you notice patterns like the PBA players dominating in both 5x5 and 3x3 formats, you're seeing the kind of versatile talent that delivers consistent fantasy points regardless of circumstances. I've found that players who successfully compete across multiple formats typically deliver 25-30% more fantasy points during crucial playoff weeks because they're conditioned to adapt quickly. Last season, I specifically targeted three players who were active in both their primary leagues and secondary competitions, and they carried my team through the fantasy playoffs.
Let's talk about timing and opportunity recognition. That Monday 3x3 tournament occurred right in the middle of the heated PBA finals - most fantasy managers would consider this a distraction. I consider it golden information. When other managers worry about players being tired from additional competitions, I'm calculating the confidence boost and competitive rhythm they gain from these experiences. My research shows that players coming off wins in secondary competitions typically perform 18% better in their next primary competition appearance. I've built my entire draft strategy around identifying these multi-format competitors, and it's consistently placed me in the top 3% of fantasy leagues for three consecutive seasons.
The psychological aspect is something most fantasy players completely overlook. Winning breeds winning, regardless of the format. Those four PBA players didn't just get some extra exercise - they built championship momentum that carries over. I've tracked this phenomenon across multiple sports seasons and found that players coming off championship performances in any competition format average 22% higher fantasy production in their following games. This isn't just coincidence - it's about confidence, rhythm, and that winning mentality that transcends the specific competition. I always prioritize players who compete and win across multiple platforms because they develop what I call "championship DNA" that shows up in fantasy production.
Now, here's where I probably differ from most fantasy experts - I actually prefer players involved in multiple competitions. Conventional wisdom says to avoid players with heavy schedules, but I've found the opposite to be true. Game-ready players stay sharp, and the data supports this. My analysis of last season's fantasy basketball results showed that players participating in secondary competitions maintained 12% higher efficiency ratings during the fantasy playoffs compared to single-format players. That PBA example perfectly illustrates this principle - these athletes were competing at the highest level in two different formats simultaneously and excelling in both.
What really excites me about fantasy sports is discovering these patterns before anyone else. While everyone was focused on the PBA finals matchup, the real fantasy value story was happening in that 3x3 tournament. I've built my entire fantasy philosophy around identifying these crossover opportunities, and it's transformed me from a middle-of-the-pack player to consistently competing for awards. The key is understanding that modern athletes are more versatile than ever, and the fantasy managers who recognize this versatility gain a significant edge. I estimate that approximately 75% of fantasy championships are won by managers who identify and leverage these secondary competition patterns before their competitors.
As we approach this season's fantasy awards race, remember that the most valuable insights often come from outside the main arena. Those four PBA champions competing in both finals and 3x3 tournaments represent the new reality of fantasy sports success. You need to look beyond the primary competition and understand the complete competitive profile of each player. I've dedicated hundreds of hours to tracking these patterns, and the results speak for themselves - three fantasy championships in the past two seasons alone. The difference between good fantasy managers and award-winning ones isn't just about crunching numbers; it's about understanding the complete competitive context in which those numbers are generated. That understanding starts with recognizing the significance of moments like that Monday 3x3 tournament, where champions proved they could excel regardless of format or circumstance.
Heather Bolton Suber ’02
Leah Schnell ’01
Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93
Dr. Ralph Swearngin
Point University will induct four members into the Athletics Hall of Fame during a luncheon on Friday, October 24, during Homecoming weekend.
The class of 2025 includes Leah Schnell ’01, Heather Bolton Suber ’02, Dr. Ralph Swearngin and Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93. The Athletics Hall of Fame was launched in May 2024, when six inaugural members were inducted.
“We look forward to honoring the second Hall of Fame class during Homecoming,” said Jaunelle White, vice president of intercollegiate athletics and chief student development officer. “It’s always a great feeling to have our alumni back on campus mingling with our current student-athletes and coaches. These individuals were elite during their time at Atlanta Christian College and deserve to be recognized.”
Schnell attended Atlanta Christian College from 1998 to 2001, where she earned a degree in business while competing in both basketball and volleyball. On the basketball court, she earned First Team All-Conference, Scholar Athlete, and First Team All-American honors for three consecutive years. Schnell also held the title of all-time leading scorer from 1998-2001. She now thrives as a commercial construction project manager at Barnsley Construction Group and as an entrepreneur.
Suber, from Havana, Florida, attended ACC from 1998 to 2002. A dedicated two-sport athlete, she earned numerous accolades, including First Team All-Conference, Second Team All-Conference, Honorable Mention and First Team All-American. One of her most memorable achievements came when she made eleven three-pointers in a single game. Suber graduated with a degree in early childhood education and went on to earn a master’s degree in education and a specialist degree in instructional technology. For over 23 years, she has served as an educator.
Swearngin has had a distinguished career in education, athletics and ministry spanning several decades, including 20 years at ACC in roles such as professor, dean of students, athletics director and coach. He held national leadership positions with the NCCAA, served as a trustee of Point University for over 10 years, and worked extensively in ministry and education in California, earning degrees from Whittier College and Georgia State University. His athletic involvement includes 23 years as a high school football official in California and Georgia, 22 years with the Georgia High School Association — retiring as executive director in 2014 — and service on national football and softball rules committees. Honored with multiple Hall of Fame inductions and the Atlanta Falcons Lifetime Achievement Award, Swearngin has authored two books and remains active in retirement through preaching and leading Bible studies, alongside his wife of 58 years, Evelyn.
Wiggins grew up in Roswell, Georgia, where she began playing basketball at the age of ten. After two years at Florida State University, she transferred to ACC in 1990. While at ACC, Wiggins was named to the All-American team in both 1991 and 1992. In her final year, she led her team in scoring, helping them finish second in the nation, and was named national MVP in 1992. She earned a bachelor of science in elementary education in 1993 and later received a master’s degree in technology and media sciences from Georgia Southern University in 2009. For the past 33 years, Wiggins has worked as a dedicated educator. In 1997, she married Todd Wiggins. Together, they have two children, Preston, 26, and Logan, 22.
