DOLPHINS FOURSOME GARNER YEARLY AWARDS; PETOSA NABS FIFTH COACHING DISTINCTION

The City University of New York Athletic Conference ushered in its 48th Annual Men’s & Women’s Basketball Tournaments with its media day at The Water Club restaurant in Manhattan, announcing its yearly all-stars and honors. Along with being presented with its regular season championship trophy, men’s basketball head coach Tony Petosa won his fifth career Coach of the Year award, celebrating with his pupils Jonathan Chadwick-Myers, who won 1st-team all-star honors, and Bloochy Magloire, who took 2nd-team honors. On the women’s ledger, senior captain Olivia Tierno walked away with 2nd-team honors as well, punctuating a great luncheon for CSI Basketball.

Although a showcase for its student-athletes in both the Community College and Senior College divisions, it was Petosa’s honor that seemed the most impressive. The only current coach in the CUNYAC that has won multiple titles as a player and coach, for Petosa the laurel marked his third straight Coach of the Year honor and fifth overall. Petosa led the Dolphins to a 19-5 overall, and 14-2 CUNYAC mark this season. Including the CUNYAC Postseason Tournament, the team is a combined 28-2 in conference play over the last two seasons, winning its third straight regular-season crown, and looking for a repeat as tourney champs as well.

“It is a really nice honor, and it does mean a lot,” said Petosa, who also won the award in 1996 and 2002. “Because the other coaches and schools vote on this award it makes it special that people think that way of you, especially in light of the great job many of the other coaches have done this year.”

After being given the regular season championship trophy, Petosa addressed the gathering to wish all in attendance the best of luck in what promises to be an exciting week ahead. Shortly after, all-stars were introduced, among them Chadwick-Myers and Magloire, who are closing out sensational junior campaigns.

A transfer from SUNY-Delhi, Chadwick-Myers has started all 23 games he has appeared this season, leading the squad in points (407), three-pointers (64), three-point percentage (41.1%), and assists (90), while placing second in steals. Thus far, Chadwick-Myers is averaging 17.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per contest.

After missing the season’s first six games this season, junior Magloire has rebounded to post a sensational campaign, starting 16 of 18 games, averaging 21.1 points with 5.0 rebounds per game. The sensational backcourt sharpshooter has connected on 56-of-153 shots from behind the arc (36.6%) and is second on the squad in both assists (47) and blocked shots (12). His 78.9% free-throw shooting leads the team and is among the tops in the CUNYAC. This afternoon marked his second-straight all-star citation from the CUNYAC.

Earlier in the afternoon, the women’s all-star lineups were announced, and among them was lone Dolphin Olivia Tierno. Earning her first-ever honor, Tierno has been a backbone to the program as its lone senior, leading the squad in points (334, 13.4 pg.) and steals (65), and placing second on the squad in rebounds (132, 5.3 pg.) and third in assists (50). Tierno, who has battled back for two season-ending knee injuries in her career was also given special attention by CUNYAC Executive Director Zak Ivkovic, who asked her to stand and be recognized as one of two highly decorated scholar-athletes in the conference.

Earning Coach of the Year honors on the women’s side was Brooklyn College skipper Alex Lang, while Player of the Year honors went to Baruch’s Jessica Duleba and Rookie of the Year honors to Lehman’s Jennifer Navarro. On the men’s side, John Jay junior Jamar Harry won Player of the Year honors, while Baruch’s Raymond De La Cruz took home top rookie honors.

The rousing luncheon serves as an annual prelude to the basketball championships that kick-off this weekend. On Saturday, the women’s bracket gets underway. CSI (15-10 overall, 12-4 CUNYAC), which earned the No. 3 seeding in the eight-team tourney, will host No. 6 Lehman College (5-20, 5-11), at 3pm at the Sports & Recreation Center. In other quarterfinal contests, No. 1 Baruch (23-2, 15-1) will take on No. 8 York College (3-22, 3-13); No. 2 Brooklyn College (20-5, 14-2) will host No. 7 CCNY (4-20, 4-12); and No. 4 John Jay (13-12, 10-6) will host No. 5 Hunter College (11-14, 9-7).

The men’s tournament will tip-off on Sunday. Top seeded CSI (19-5, 14-2) will host No. 8 Hunter (8-17, 5-11), at the Sports & Recreation Center at 1pm. In other quarterfinal matchups No. 2 Baruch (16-9, 12-4) will host No. 7 CCNY (10-15, 6-10); No. 3 John Jay (13-12, 9-7) will take on No. 6 York (11-14, 7-9); and No. 4 Brooklyn (11-13, 9-7) will host No. 5 Medgar Evers (12-13, 8-8).

The tournament’s semifinal and final rounds will take place at the Nat Holman Gymnasium on the campus of City College of New York on Wednesday and Thursday of next week, with the championship set for Saturday, February 23.