Parks and Blake Earn Conference First and Third Team Honors

CONTACT: Julia Quinlan, j.quinlan@hvcc.edu, (518) 629-7863 or (518) 530-7376
FOR RELEASE: Immediate, Wednesday, February 27, 2025

The Hudson Valley Vikings men's basketball team had a strong season, led by standout performances from two of their top players, Keyaton Parks and James Blake. Their impact on the court earned them well-deserved recognition in the Mountain Valley Conference, with Parks securing a spot on the First Team All-Mountain Valley Conference and Blake earning Third Team All-Mountain Valley Conference honors. Both players played pivotal roles in the Vikings' success, showcasing their skills on both ends of the floor.

First Team All-Mountain Valley Conference: Keyaton Parks
Keyaton Parks dominated the court this season, earning a well-deserved spot on the First Team All-Mountain Valley Conference. Playing in 26 games and starting every one, Parks was an unstoppable force in the paint. He led with an impressive 11.7 rebounds per game (11.8 in conference play), totaling 304 rebounds overall, including 110 offensive boards. His efficiency in scoring was remarkable, shooting 58.7% from the field, contributing 434 total points, and averaging 16.7 points per game. Defensively, Parks made his presence felt with 52 blocks and 23 steals. His dominance in the conference was evident, averaging 25.9 points per 40 minutes in conference games. With his well-rounded game, Parks established himself as one of the premier players in the Mountain Valley Conference.

Third Team All-Mountain Valley Conference: James Blake
James Blake put together a stellar season, earning a spot on the Third Team All-Mountain Valley Conference. The versatile guard started 20 of 21 games, proving to be a key playmaker for his team. Blake showcased a well-balanced skill set, scoring 326 total points, averaging 15.5 points per game, and shooting 54.5% from the field. He also contributed across the board with 99 total rebounds, 61 assists, and 43 steals, while maintaining a solid 1.4 assist-to-turnover ratio. His ability to score efficiently from beyond the arc (36.5% from three) and at the free-throw line (69.1% FT) made him a reliable offensive weapon. Blake's strong all-around performance cemented his place among the top players in the conference.

The Vikings face off against Herkimer on Friday at the NJCAA Region 3 Quarterfinals starting at 1pm.