The United States Collegiate Athletic Association and the Hudson Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Conference announced its weekly award winners on Tuesday morning, and Berkeley College's basketball programs were well represented. On the men's side, senior Michael Taylor was tabbed as both National and Regional Player of the Week, while Ayana Ratliff earned a spot on the Honor Roll list following two consecutive weeks of earning the league's top billing.
Taylor earned his first USCAA Player of the Week distinction and his second HVIAC Player of the Week award by leading Berkeley to consecutive victories this past Thursday and Friday, extending the Knights' winning streak to 11 games in the process. In Berkeley's 84-66 win over Columbia International this past Friday, he scored 17 points, grabbed six rebounds, and added five assists. The senior came back the next day to train the game-winning three-pointer in the final seconds of an 85-84 triumph over Johnson & Wales (North Carolina), as he finished with a game-high 28 points with six rebounds. Following the announcement of the awards, Head Coach Jonathan Pena spoke.
"Michael is an extraordinary basketball player, and he's done a great job of being our offensive leader this season," Pena said. "His 17.9 points per game leads the team, but he also makes everyone around him better, and that's evidence of him being a versatile asset for us. I'm very proud of him thus far, and I look forward to seeing him continue to play stellar basketball as we get set for the stretch run of this season."
The men's basketball team returns to action on Wednesday, January 24, as Berkeley will take on Division II Mercy College. The game will be played at Nyack, and is scheduled to begin at 7:00pm.
Ayana Ratliff was tabbed to the HVIAC Honor Roll list for her performance in the Knights' two defeats to Southern Maine Community College (1/20/18) and Central Maine Community College (1/21/18) this past weekend. The junior averaged 29.5 points on 40 percent shooting with an average of five rebounds per contest over the weekend. The standout poured in 26 points against the SeaWolves and followed it up with 33 against the Mustangs, both game highs. Following the announcement of the awards, Head Coach Alex Kuchar spoke.
"Ayana is one of the most competitive basketball players that I've ever come in contact with, and she exemplifies that aforementioned intensity every time she steps on the court," Kuchar said. "She absolutely hates to lose, and she has done a fantastic job of leading by example. Ayana is a dynamic scorer, and she will have a great opportunity to take the HVIAC by storm over the next four weeks as we get ready to push for a spot in the tournament – and ultimately – a Regional title."
The women's basketball team will return to action on Wednesday evening, as Berkeley will travel to Dix Hills, NY to take on Five Towns College in a non-conference game. The Knights defeated the Sound earlier this season by a score of 78-40 (12/13/17).
