COBLESKILL MEN NAMED TO 2008 ALL-MVC BASKETBALLTEAM

Four members of the SUNY Cobleskill men’s basketball team have been named to the 2008 All-Mountain Valley Conference Team by the league’s coaches. Fighting Tiger senior power forward Anthony Armstead, Schenectady, NY, Schenectady High School, was named to the conference’s First Team while senior forward Stanley Francois, Valley Cottage, NY, Suffern High School, and senior Harley Fuller, Gloversville, NY, Broadalbin-Perth High School, were named to the conference’s Second Team. Freshman guard Nyquan Bellamy, Poughkeepsie, NY, Poughkeepsie High School, also earned all-conference honors with a place on the league’s Third Team. The talented foursome led the team to the 2008 NJCAA Region III Division III Championship with a 25-6 overall record after finishing with an 11-5 record in conference play. 

The 6’5”Armstead used his bullish 225 lbs frame to lead the Fighting Tigers in scoring averaging 13.4 points per game, to go with averaging 5.1 rebounds, 1.4 blocked shots and 1.0 assists per game converting on 185-of-302 shots from the floor for a shooting percentage of 61.3%. The Schenectady, NY native posted double/doubles in points and rebounds three times during the year and reached double figures in scoring 22 times thru 31 contests. Armstead was also earlier named to the NJCAA Region III Division III Team by the region’s coaches.

The 6’2” Francois earned a spot on the All-Mountain Valley Conference team for the second consecutive season by playing much bigger than listed averaging 11.6 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.3 steals, 1.0 assists and 0.5 blocked shots per game this season while converting on 149-of-234 shots from the field for a shooting percentage of 63.7%. During the season the talented forward also posted 11 double/doubles in points and rebounds for the Fighting Tigers scoring in double figures 21 times and taking down double figures in rebounds on 14 occasions this season to date. The Suffern, NY native is also a two-time All-Region III Selection during his career earning First Team honors this season.

Joining Francois as a two-time All-Conference honoree the 6’0” Fuller directed the Cobleskill offense from the point guard position during the campaign averaging 6.9 points, 8.6 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game connecting on 68-of-147 shot attempts for a 46.3% field goal percentage including 18-of-49 from three-point range for a 36.7% mark. Fuller had three double/doubles in points and assists on the season reaching double figures in assists 15 times. Fuller was earlier named to the All-Region III Third Team for his play.

Bellamy proved to be one of the deadliest rookie shooters in the country averaging 11.4 points and 1.3 assists per game this year seeing time at both guard positions. The

Poughkeepsie High School alumnus connected on 117-of-234 shots from the field for a 50.0% shooting percentage while leading NJCAA Region III in three-point shooting hitting on 72-of-145 attempts from beyond the arch for a 49.7% shooting percentage. From the free throw line the talented backcourt performer was solid making 48-of-72 attempts for a 72.9% mark.    

“What these young men have accomplished for us this season has been extraordinary and it has been a pleasure for me to have worked with them this season,” said Fighting Tiger Head Coach Kevin McCarthy. “They have been a major reason for our success this year and we are now looking forward to them to taking their games to an even higher level at the national tournament.”

During the tenure of Fighting Tiger Head Coach Kevin McCarthy, Fighting Tiger players have been honored 39 times with All-Mountain Valley Conference Team honors. This season also marks the team’s 15th post-season appearance and 13th twenty-win season under McCarthy’s direction.

The Fighting Tigers will next meet NJCAA Region XIX Champions of Middlesex Community College from Edison, NJ in the quarterfinal round of the 2008 NJCAA Division III National Championship Tournament hosted by SUNY Delhi in Delhi, NY on Thursday March 13th at 8:00 PM. The Colts are currently 27-3 overall on the season and ranked second in the latest NJCAA Division III National Poll.