MAC FREEDOM CONFERENCE MEN’S BASKETBALL POST-SEASON AWARDS ANNOUNCED

WILLIAMSPORT, PA – The Middle Atlantic Freedom Conference announced the 2002 men’s basketball all-star teams and other post-season awards, Tuesday afternoon. Lycoming College headlined the awards claiming three all-stars, including the most valuable player, and adding the coach of the year, as well.

Tommy Wesner (Jr./Dillsburg, PA; Northern) was named the Freedom Conference Most Valuable Player and a 1^st-team all-star. Wesner has led the conference in scoring for most of the season and currently is posting 16.9 points-per-game average. He also led the conference with 87 three-pointers on the season and was second best from the free-throw line sinking 81% of his attempts. Wesner was honored as the player of the week five times during the 13-week season – no other player in the conference was named player of the week more than twice.

Senior Chris Napier (Port Jervis, NY; Minisink Valley) joined Wesner on the first team. It is the second consecutive year he has been named a 1^st-team all-star. He was also honored as Rookie of the Year following the 1998-99 season. Napier is the second leading scorer and rebounder on the Warriors’ roster. He is averaging 15.5 points and 6.7 boards per outing. His totals are good for third-leading scorer in the conference and seventh-leading rebounder. Napier also ranks among the top-10 in the Freedom in blocked shots and free throw shooting. The 6’6” forward had put up big numbers throughout his career and currently ranks 5^th on Lycoming’s all-time leading scorers list with 1,439 career points.

Sophomore Matt Stackhouse (Hughesville, PA; Hughesville) earned 2^nd-team all-star accolades. The 6’7” center has had a stellar season averaging 13.4 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. He also leads the team with 48 blocked shots – just one shy of a program single-season record. Stackhouse ranks 8^th in the conference in scoring, 3^rd in rebounding, and 2^nd in blocked shots. His performance inside the paint for the Warriors’ has peaked at the perfect time of year as evidenced by Stackhouse being named player of the week two of the final three weeks of the season.

“Having three guys named among the top-10 players in the conference is a terrific individual accomplishment and an honor for the program,” said Head Coach Terry Conrad. “I think it is a reflection on how well we have played as a team this season.”

Conrad himself has earned the respect of his fellow coaches within the conference in just his second season at the helm of the Lycoming men’s basketball program. After recording a 13-12 record and third-place regular-season finish in his inaugural campaign, Conrad has led the Warriors to mark of 19-7, a share of the regular-season title, their first Freedom Conference championship, and a berth in the NCAA playoffs this season.

“It is a great honor to be recognized by my peers like this,” said Conrad. “I’m also happy for my staff because Scott (Rogers) and Jamie (Spencer) have played an important part in our team’s success, as well.”

Conrad will lead Lycoming as they travel to Gettysburg College on Thursday evening for the first round of the NCAA tournament. Tip-off for the game is at 7:00 p.m.

Complete list of post-season honors:

First-team All-Stars 
Tommy Wesner     Lycoming      Jr.      G        Dillsburg, PA/Northern
Dennis Hobbs        King’s           Sr.     F         Philadelphia, PA/Germantown
Chris Napier           Lycoming      Sr.     G/F     Port Jervis, NY/Minisink Valley
Derek Elphick        Scranton        Jr.     C        Hachettstown, NJ/Delaware Valley
Ron McIntyre          Wilkes          Sr.     F        Newark, NJ/Salesianum

Second-team All-Stars
Don Loftus              Scranton      Jr.     G         Doylestown, PA/Central Bucks West
Kasim Holloman      King’s          Jr.     F         Philadelphia, PA/St. Joseph’s Prep
Matt Stackhouse     Lycoming     So.    C        Hughesville, PA/Hughesville
Jeff Clifford              DeSales       So.    G        Allentown, PA/Salisbury
Diego Reino            Drew            Sr.     G        Elizabeth, NJ/St. Mary’s

MVP:  Tommy Wesner – Lycoming

Tri-Rookies of the Year:       Brian O’Donnell – Scranton
                                         Dave Bright – DeSales
                                         Jeff Hemschoot – FDU-Madison

Coach of the Year:  Terry Conrad – Lycoming