The Hudson Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Conference announced its weekly award winners on Tuesday morning – and for the third consecutive Tuesday – Berkeley College women's basketball standout Ayana Ratliff was tabbed as the Player of the Week. Additionally – veteran Johnnie Green of the men's basketball team earned a spot on the Honor Roll list.
Ratliff solidified her third straight HVIAC Player of the Week honors thanks a sensational pair of efforts this past week in victories over Pratt Institute back on January 11 and Albany College of Pharmacy back on January 14. After leading all scorers with 25 points, seven rebounds and five assists in Berkeley's 58-52 win over the Cannoneers, the junior guard capped off the week posting game highs of 33 points, eight steals and four blocks, paired with eight caroms in the Knights' dominating 72-43 triumph over the Panthers. Following the announcement of the awards, Head Coach Alex Kuchar gave his thoughts.
"Ayana is the pace-setter for our team," Kuchar said. "She is an incredible offensive force, and she proves over and over again just how dominant she can be on a consistent basis. I'm extremely proud of the effort that she was put forth thus far this season, and I'm extremely excited to see how strong she will be for us down the stretch of this season."
Berkeley College's women's basketball team returns to action this weekend, as the Knights will take on Southern Maine Community College on Saturday at 1:00pm, before taking on Central Maine Community College 24 hours later at 1:00pm (Sunday, 1/21).
Johnnie Green's veteran leadership has been evident this season, and for the first time during the 2017-2018 campaign, he was tabbed to the conference's Honor Roll list. The senior forward shot 71 percent on the week and averaged 16.5 points and eight rebounds to help the Knights to a pair of league wins over the Cannoneers (1/11) and Panthers (1/14). The standout helped the Knights rally from 12 down to Albany Pharmacy in the final 6:17, finishing with a 19-point, 12-rebound double-double. Head Coach Jonathan Pena spoke about Green following the announcement of the awards.
"Johnnie has been such a great all-around player for us thus far this year, and his leadership has been extraordinary for all of the new student-athletes that have joined our program," Pena said. "He gives 100 percent each and every time he takes the court, and he does a phenomenal job of leading by example for his teammates. It's very gratifying to see him finish out his career in terrific fashion."
The men's basketball team will return to action Friday evening, as the Knights will shoot for their 10th consecutive victory against Columbia International. Start-time for that contest is scheduled for 5:30pm.
