CONTACT: Steve Mullen (518) 629-8063
FOR RELEASE: Immediate, Sunday, February 25, 2007
The Hudson Valley Community College men's basketball team has earned the sixth seed in the NJCAA Region III Division III men's basketball tournament and will host No. 11 Clinton Community College in the opening round at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, February 27.
Hudson Valley is 21-9 and is making its 17th consecutive tournament appearance, which is the longest current streak in Region III. Clinton enters the tournament with an 18-12 record.
Hudson Valley leads the nation in three-point baskets made this season. The Vikings have connected on 271 baskets from beyond the arc. Freshman guard Justin Gallo (Brunswick/Lansingburgh High School) has made a team-high 73 three-point baskets and leads the Vikings with 16.2 points per game. Sophomore forward Zach Bye (Scotia/Scotia-Glenville High School) leads all of Region III with 11.5 rebounds per game.
Hudson Valley, which includes nine players that graduated from Section II high schools, has won four straight games entering the tournament. Hudson Valley defeated Clinton, 79-61, in the only regular season meeting between the two schools on February 6.
The winner of Tuesday's game will meet No. 3 Onondaga Community College on Friday, March 2 in the quarterfinals in Troy.
NJCAA Region III Division III Men's Basketball Tournament
Tuesday, February 27
Opening Round (at higher seed)
No. 12 Mohawk Valley (14-11) at No. 5 Finger Lakes (20-9) No. 11 Clinton (18-12) at No. 6 Hudson Valley (21-9) No. 10 North Country (17-10) at No. 7 Broome (18-10) No. 9 Corning (16-10) at No. 8 Delhi (14-12)
Friday, March 2
Quarterfinals (at Herkimer)
Mohawk Valley/Finger Lakes winner vs. No. 4 Cobleskill (21-7) Clinton/Hudson Valley winner vs. No. 3 Onondaga (23-7) North Country/Broome winner vs. No. 2 Herkimer (22-7) Corning/Delhi winner vs. No. 1 Fulton-Montgomery (23-5)
Saturday, March 3
Semifinals (at Herkimer)
Sunday, March 4
Championship (at Herkimer)