It all began nearly 15 years ago when Scotty Stopera and Dom LeMorta played youth basketball together under head coach, Glenn Stopera, Scotty's father. An era will come to a close this year as Scotty and Dom look to finish their career with Alfred University men's basketball's first Empire 8 Conference title in program history.
 
Stopera and LeMorta have been a force to be reckoned with since the two teamed up in Scotia-Glenville Youth basketball. Both are currently seniors on the AU basketball team and have led the Saxons in 2018-19 to a playoff-clinching spot in the Empire 8 Conference standings and relish the opportunity to bring home the program's first title. 
 

 "We lived a few blocks away from each other growing up, and we were close in middle school and elementary school – we would always hang out," Stopera said of LeMorta and himself. "Our relationship really grew through high school and basketball obviously brought us closer than anything else. We've always been there for each other and we've been friends forever."

Dating back to their days as Tartans at Scotia-Glenville High School, the duo accounted for one New York State Class A Federation title, one New York State Class A title, three Section II Class A titles and three Foothill Council titles. While on the court together in the Red & Black, Stopera and LeMorta led the Tartans to a 49-1 (.980) overall record under head coach James Giammattei.  The two parted ways after high school with LeMorta graduating a year earlier than Stopera. One year later the two reunited after Stopera commited to AU and LeMorta transferred in to play on the basketball team.
 
"Having Scotty here was a comfort for me," LeMorta said. "Knowing I would have him here with me and being able to play with him for four more years was something I couldn't pass up."
 
While at AU, Stopera and LeMorta have been stewards over a 56-43 (.566) overall record, including back-to-back years with at least 18 wins and an Empire 8 Conference tournament appearance. During those two seasons, LeMorta has accumulated 16.7 PPG and 3.4 RPG while Stopera has recorded 10.5 PPG and 4.8 APG.
 
"This senior class has had a tremendously positive impact on our basketball program," AU head men's basketball coach Russell Phillips said. "When recruiting Scotty and Dom, it was easy to tell they were winners and that basketball was really important to them. Scotia-Glenville was a powerhouse and their record and state titles spoke for themselves. Once they got here, their work ethic was unmatched and they have continued to grow and improve each year, while bringing others with them. This year they were both voted team captains along with Sage Brown, and they have set the bar for what is expected while being outstanding teammates." 
 
- Video feature courtesy of Alfred University - 

ABOUT THE EMPIRE 8 CONFERENCE
The members of the Empire 8 Conference are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence and the league is regarded as an outstanding NCAA Division III conference. The membership has distinguished 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 E8. For more on the Empire 8 visit www.empire8.com and https://youtu.be/wzL4HcDoUUQ