Empire 8 Conference Players of the Week - December 3
Empire 8 Players of the Week
November 26 – December 2
Men’s Basketball
Player – Justin Porrett, Elmira (Senior, Dumont, N.J.)
Porrett guided Elmira to an 88-81 comeback victory over Keuka in the team's only game of the week. He played all 40 minutes and scored a career-high 30 points, thanks in large part to a career-best 8-of-12 shooting from 3-point range. He added four rebounds, three steals, and one block. Elmira trailed by as many 15 points early in the second half, but Porrett went 6-7 from the field and 5-5 from 3-point range in the second half, resulting in 17 of his 30 points.
Rookie – Stuart Phair, Sage (Freshman, Canberra, Australia)
Phair averaged 6.5 points and 3.0 rebounds in a 1-1 week for the Gators. He had four points and three boards off the bench against Stevens, and then registered nice points in the Gators' win over MCLA.
Women’s Basketball
Player – Lindsey Heaton, Elmira (Senior, New Milford, Conn.)
Heaton averaged a team-high 14.0 points and 4.0 assists per game for the Soaring Eagles in a 2-0 week. She also finished second on the team in rebounding on the week pulling down 6.5 per game, and was tied for the team lead in steals per game (2.5). She netted 18 points in a road win over Clarks Summit and added five assists, four rebounds, and two steals in the 65-21 win. She played 39 minutes in a 58-45 win over Wells, falling just shy of a double-double with 10 points and nine boards.
Rookie – Sydney Przygoda, Utica (Freshman, Freehold, N.J.)
Przygoda was an unstoppable frontcourt force for Utica as the Pioneers wrapped up the week with a 2-1 ledger with home wins over MCLA and Alfred State, and a loss to undefeated Hamilton. The rookie posted two double-double performances, going off for fifteen and eleven rebounds against Hamilton in a loss, and had career highs with 17 points and fifteen rebounds as Utica derailed Alfred State in a Sunday afternoon victory. She also had eight points and 13 rebounds as Utica topped MCLA on Thursday. She averaged 13.3 points per game and 13.0 rebounds per outing across the three games. It's the second time this season she's been recognized with this award from the Empire 8 league office.
Swimming & Diving
Men’s Athlete – Tyler Zanki, Stevens (Junior, Wyckoff, N.J.)
Zanki recorded two "B" cut times over the weekend at the Gompei Invitational. In the 200-yard breaststroke, he touched the wall at 2:01.11 for a first-place finish. In the 100-yard breaststroke, the junior registered another first-place finish and "B" cut time of 55.67. Both of his times are currently the seventh-best marks in the nation. Zanki also finished second in the 50-yard breaststroke to cap off his successful weekend.
Women’s Athlete – Taylor Robey, Nazareth (Sophomore, Hurley, N.Y.)
Robey excelled for the Golden Flyers at the Bomber Invitational at Ithaca as she posted a provisional NCAA qualifying time in winning the 100-freestyle with a school-record mark of :51.33. She also swam :24.08 and 1:56.99, respectively, to finish sixth in both the 50 and 200 freestyles. Both times are currently second-best in the Empire 8 so far this season. She also anchored Nazareth's 200 medley relay (1:49.56), the 800 free relay (8:06.39) and the 400 free relay (3:39.30). It marks the second time this winter she's been recognized.
About the Empire 8 Conference
The members of the Empire 8 are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence and aspire to be regarded as an outstanding NCAA Division III conference. The membership seeks to distinguish itself among its peer group for its quality institutions, spirited and sportsmanlike competition, outstanding services and highly ethical policies and practices. Its commitment to serve the educational needs of its student-athletes is the hallmark of the Empire 8.