CORTLAND, N.Y. - The State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) has released its athletes of the week for basketball and ice hockey.
Men's Basketball Athlete of the Week - Brian Sortino, Oswego
(Sr, G - Fairport, NY)
Sortino turned in a phenomenal weekend, which helped lead to a couple of major conference wins for the Lakers. In Friday's 78-75 win over at-the-time SUNYAC leader Brockport, the senior scored 24 points on nearly 50 percent shooting from the field. He also sank all 10 of his free throw attempts, including those late in the contest with the game's result on the line. During Saturday's 81-70 win over Geneseo, the Fairport, N.Y. native notched a season-high 33 points, while also recording his second-career double-double with a season-high 10 rebounds. He was 11-for-18 (61.1%) and 8-for-9 from the charity stripe in the contest. Oswego's two wins now gives it solo possession of first place in the conference standings.
Women's Basketball Athlete of the Week - Alexis Cheatham, Fredonia
(Sr, G - Lockport, NY)
A senior from Lockport, N.Y., Cheatham had seven points in overtime, including a four-point play, in the Blue Devils' come-from-behind win Jan. 24 at Brockport. She followed that 19-point game with 21 points in a home win over Buffalo State. On the week she averaged 20 points-per-game. She had five three pointers in each game and has 61 this season, eight short of the single-season school record she set last season. With 230 three-pointers in three-plus seasons, she is ranked No. 3 on the career list among current active players. She is also ranked among the D-III leaders this season (was sixth with 56 three pointers before knocking down five more vs. Buffalo State). She and teammate Jenna Einink are averaging 15.1 points per game, tied for third in the SUNYAC. Cheatham is also the conference assist leader at 3.9 helpers per game. The Blue Devils are 14-5 overall and 9-4 in the conference.
Men's Ice Hockey Athlete of the Week - Aidan Verbeke, Brockport
(Jr, F - Elmwood Park, IL)
Verbeke provided an offensive spark in Saturday night's win over Canton, leading the squad to a 4-2 win which completed the weekend sweep. It was the first career hat trick for the junior captain, which including the third goal midway through the second period which was the eventual game-winner.
Men's Ice Hockey Goalie of the Week - Brady Rouleau, Plattsburgh
(Sr, G - Fort Macleod, Alberta)
Brady Rouleau went 2-0-0, stopped 46 of 48 shots and posted a 1.00 goals-average and a .958 save percentage as Plattsburgh State won twice over the weekend. He stopped 22 of 23 shots and recorded scoreless first and third periods in Friday's 2-1 win against No. 9 Buffalo State College. Rouleau kept Buffalo State's offense, which had entered Friday averaging 4.6 goals during its five-game winning streak, to only one goal. He followed up that outing by collecting 24 saves in Saturday's 3-1 victory over Fredonia.
Men's Ice Hockey Rookie of the Week - Connor Hutchins, Brockport
(Fr, F - North Richland Hills, TX)
Hutchins averaged 2.5 points-per-game this weekend en route to a sweep of SUNY Canton. The freshman provided helpers on three of the four Brockport goals on Friday evening before adding a goal and another assist on Saturday. He now leads the squad and ranks thirteenth in the conference in points with 21 (eight goals, 13 assists).
