CONTACT: Kristan M. Pelletier (518) 629-8063; k.pelletier@hvcc.edu
FOR RELEASE: Immediate, Monday, Feb. 23, 2009
The Hudson Valley Community College men's basketball team earned the top seed in the NJCAA Region III Division III men's basketball tournament. The men will play Onondaga Community College at 1 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 29 at Jefferson Community College.
The Vikings are 28-2 on the season and are making a record 19th consecutive appearance in the tournament. The men are currently ranked third in the latest NJCAA Division III national poll.
The team's balanced scoring attack is led by freshman Ramel Alexander (Albany HS/Albany) who averages 14.3 ppg and 5.3 rpg. Freshman Pat Barnes (Mohonasen HS/Rotterdam) is second on the team in scoring at 11.4 ppg and also chips in with 6.5 rpg. Sophomore brothers Dalton and Ian Austin-Michaud (Ichabod Crane HS/Valatie) have been solid all year. Dalton averages 10.1 ppg and 7.5 rpg, while Ian is averaging 9.0 ppg and leads the team in rebounding (8.9 rpg), and assists (97). Sophomore Garret Bishop (Saratoga Springs HS/Saratoga) rounds out the all section two starting five. As point guard, Bishop has run the offense effectively all season and also averages 9.3 ppg. Three other local freshmen have been solid contributors for the Vikings all season. Off the bench, Matt Harte (Lansingburgh HS/Troy) has been contributing 6.3 ppg, Pat Lanoue (Hoosic Valley HS/Troy) 9.8 ppg and Cameron Couball (Mohonasen HS/Rotterdam) 5.3 ppg.
NJCAA Region III Division III Men's Basketball Tournament
Friday, Feb. 27, 2009
Quarterfinals (at Jefferson)
No. 8 Onondaga (14-15) vs. No. 1 Hudson Valley (28-2)
No. 4 Delhi (18-12) vs. No. 5 North Country (17-12)
No. 3 Herkimer (25-2) vs. No. 6 Finger Lakes (21-9)
No. 2 Jefferson (23-6) vs. No. 7 Mohawk Valley (16-12)
Saturday, Feb. 28, 2009
Semi-finals at Jefferson
Sunday, Mar. 1, 2009
Finals at Jefferson