The Berkeley College basketball teams dominated the Hudson Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Conference awards this week, as both the men's and women's teams were recognized with Player of the Week selections. For the Knights' men's squad, Michael Taylor earned the conference's top billing, while for the women's team, it was Ayana Ratliff being tabbed as the conference's top performer. Ratliff was also selected as the United States College Athletic Association's Player of the Week as well.
Michael Taylor helped pace the Knights to a 3-0 week, averaging 18.7 points on 52.8 percent shooting with 3.7 rebounds in just 18 minutes of action per contest. During a 115-75 victory over St. Joseph College (Vermont), the senior finished with a game-high 26 points in just 19 minutes on 9-of-15 shooting, with four three-point baskets and five rebounds. Following the announcement of Taylor earning Player of the Week, Head Coach Jonathan Pena spoke.
"We had very high hopes for Michael prior to the season, and he has done a sensational job of joining our program and becoming our offensive leader," Pena said. "His durability and commitment to the team has seen him start all nine of our games so far, averaging 17.2 points per game. He is hard-working, humble, and clutch. This past week, he led by example and played extremely well. He certainly deserves this type of recognition from the conference."
Berkeley College's men's basketball team will look to continue its winning ways when it heads to Concord, New Hampshire for a pair of games on January 6 and January 7 of 2018. On January 6, the Knights will take on the University of Maine at Augusta (6:00pm start time). The following day, Berkeley College will take on NHTI (3:45pm start time).
Ayana Ratliff had a phenomenal week, as she led Berkeley College to a 2-0 record over a five-day span, averaging 32 points, seven rebounds, and six and a half steals in the two victories over Five Towns College and the University of Maine Machias. The junior sharpshooter recorded a pair of double-doubles as well, as she connected on 16-of-23 shots en route to game highs of 41 points and 11 steals against the Sound before following it up with a 23-point, 10-rebound double-double in a one-point win over the Clippers. The Brooklyn, NY native also hit the game-winning shot with 6.4 seconds to go in the win over Maine Machias. Head Coach Alex Kuchar spoke after his offensive ace was tabbed as Player of the Week by the conference.
"Not only is Ayana an excellent basketball player, but she is also a great teammate and a terrific leader," Kuchar said. "One of the intangibles that she possesses is timeliness, as evidenced by the huge basket she recorded in our one-point victory over the Clippers. That was a game we really wanted, and she sealed it for us in the closing seconds. It's a very gratifying feeling to see her earn this Player of the Week billing, and I'm extremely proud of her."
The Knights will resume their season when they head to Concord, New Hampshire for a pair of games on January 6 and January 7 of 2018. On January 6, the Knights will take on the University of Maine at Augusta (2:00pm start time). The following day, Berkeley College will take on NHTI (12:00pm start time).
