Gators select 2011-2012 Award Winners for Men's Hoop Team
Albany, NY--The Sage Colleges’ department of athletics recently honored members of the varsity teams at the Athletic Awards Banquet.
Sophomore forward Mason Horne (Albany, NY/La Salle
Institute), a member of the
men’s basketball team at Sage was named the recipient of the
2011-2012 Sage Men’s Basketball Gator Award as the team
Most Valuable Player for his efforts on and off the basketball
court.
Head men’s basketball coach Brian Barnes, said of Horne,
“Our coaching staff has really enjoyed watching Mason develop
as a student, a person, and a basketball player.” Barnes
added, “Mason was one of best in the Skyline Conference this
year with getting to the basket and or the free throw line.
We couldn't be more excited for the final two years of Mason's
career. With hard work this summer, he can be even better
next season and help lead our team into post-season
play.”
Horne finished the season as the leading scorer with 301 points, good enough for a 12.0 ppg average. He was the Gators’ high scorer 10 times, while finishing as high-rebounder on three other occasions. He had a 4.8 rpg average, while elevating his career resume to include 565 points, which stands second-best for the Gators. Horne has 215 career rebounds with 65 assists and 43 steals in 50 games played with 35 starts. Over the course of the season, he earned one selection to the Skyline Conference Men’s Basketball Weekly Honor Roll.
Junior guard William Hennep (Wheatley Heights, NY/Half Hollow Hills West), a member of the men’s basketball team at Sage was named the recipient of the 2011-2012 Sage Men’s Basketball Coaches’ Award for his efforts on and off the basketball court.
Barnes, said of Hennep, “Will is someone, who has a combination of attributes both as a player and a person that helped our team the most when times got tough.”
He added, “Will started the season as our back-up point guard and was ready to step up into the starting lineup when we asked him to do so. Without question, Will helped lead our team. He is a high-quality human being, who cares about the team first and is always willing to do whatever the coaches asked of him.”
Hennep made 18 starts by year’s end in 23 games played. He averaged 20.4 minutes a game and added 2.6 ppg. He finished with 36 assists, while picking off 23 steals is his first campaign with the Gators.
Rookie guard Troy Nwanna (Washington, DC/Mercersburg Academy), a member of the men’s basketball team at Sage was named the recipient of the 2011-2012 Sage Men’s Basketball Most Improved Award for his efforts on and off the basketball court.
Barnes, said of Nwanna, “Troy was often the first player in the gym and the last one to leave.” Barnes added, “He was our most active in requesting game film, to review not only his play, but also looking for ways in how he could make teammates better. Throughout these efforts, Troy improved his play on the court as the season progressed and he earned more playing time as a result. As a point guard, Troy grew as both a player and a person in the most difficult position for a young player. We are most proud of his continued development as a leader and positive communication with teammates and coaches. Troy has a strong desire to win and was one of our hardest workers in practice this season.”
Nwanna came on strong for the Gators as the season progressed. He started the team’s season finale and tallied nine points with seven rebounds. Overall on the year, he played in 23 games and connected on a 4.8 ppg average with 2.2 rpg. He averaged 13.5 minutes a game and had 30 assists with 14 steals.
