SUNY Brockport's Golden Eagles win Chase

It took 27 years for the Brockport Golden Eagle men's basketball team to have area bragging rights. It was before Cabbage Patch Kids, CD's (the music variety) and economy cars. Now, ranked fifth in Division III in national polls, Brockport defeated the R.I.T. Tigers 78-58 to win the 36th annual JP Morgan Chase Basketball Tournament for the first time since 1975.

The Golden Eagles have already shattered the school record for wins to start the season (6-0 in 1936-37) as they improved to 14-0 for the season. They are ranked first in Division III in field goal percentage, rebound margin and scoring margin. They remain the only Division III undefeated team as of this writing and are one of only four that remain undefeated of the 989 teams that play college basketball.

Tournament Most Valuable Player Ricky Hollis is second in the nation in steals and led the team with nine steals in the final. After the game he said, "We wanted to come out and play Brockport basketball and show everyone why we were seeded first and why we're undefeated." Head coach Nelson Whitmore is in his fourth season with Brockport and took the team to the NCAA Sweet 16 one year ago. He thinks this team is one of the most talented in the school's history. "Our defense has been outstanding and was again tonight. Ricky Hollis was a one-man show at times. The President (Dr. Paul Yu) has been after me for a couple of years to win this tournament and this year we did. After losing the final as a senior at St. John Fisher, this one feels good. I'm excited for the players."

Brandon Mills and Boy Skoczylas were named to the All-Tournament second team as they combined for 58 points and 28 rebounds in the three games. Mike Medbury was named to the first team with his 30 points. Mills and Alex Smith led Brockport with 12 points each in the championship game.

Not many players are among the leaders statistically as Brockport uses a 10-12 man rotation substituting teams of five players every five minutes. The players have bought into the team concept, however, and it obviously works as the Golden Eagles have outscored their opponents by 367 points in the first 12 games of the season. They've scored 100 or more points three times and over 90 nine times in just 40 minutes of action - more points per game than five NBA teams.

The Golden Eagles have gone to the NCAA Final Four twice previously in 1973 and 1975. This may just be the team to join them this March. Only three more chances to see the team in the area as they battle Buffalo State February 5, Fredonia February 12 and New Paltz February 15 on their way to the SUNYAC Championships February 20-23.