Pearson and Stopera honored by Skyline Conference
New York, NY – The Sage Colleges’ women’s and men’s basketball teams were well represented with the release of the weekly Skyline Conference awards as newcomer Frankie Pearson (Hoosick Falls, NY/Hoosick Falls Central) was named the Skyline Conference Women’s Basketball Rookie of the Week. Graduate performer, Jeff Stopera (Scotia, NY/Scotia Glenville) was named the Skyline Conference Men’s Basketball Co-Player of the Week. Junior center Amie Jefferson (Albany, NY/Colonie Central) was named to the Skyline Women’s Basketball Weekly Honor Roll as well for the Gators.
Skyline Conference Women’s Basketball Rookie of the Week
Frankie Pearson - Sage
Freshman, Guard, Hoosick Falls, NY/Hoosick Falls Central HS
Pearson averaged 10.5 points and 2.0 assists over two games to earn her fourth Skyline Rookie of the Week citation of the season…poured in 12 points on Feb. 12 in the Gators' 64-55 loss at Purchase…scored nine points in an 86-70 loss to Farmingdale State on Feb. 15…shot 7-for-9 from the foul line on the week.
Men's Basketball Co-Player of the Week
Jeff Stopera - Sage
Senior, Guard, Scotia, NY/Scotia Glenville HS
Stopera averaged 23.0 points and 9.0 assists while shooting 11-of-18 from the field as Sage earned an 81-77 win over Maritime on Feb. 12 and was edged by FSC on Feb. 15, 83-79…poured in a school-record 32 points and dished out 10 assists against Farmingdale State…scored 14 points and added eights assists versus Maritime…shot 6-of-10 from beyond the arc and added six steals on the week.
Pearson averaged 10.5 ppg last week and now owns a team-best 36 three-point baskets in a season, which ranks 10th in single-season records. She is averaging 9.8 ppg on the year in 22 appearances and has 23 steals. She earned her fourth Skyline Rookie of the Week citation in pacing Sage last week.
Jefferson had a big week as she tallied a game-high 13 rebounds against Purchase and then capped the week with a career-high 18 points at FSC. She made two starts on the week and average 12.0 ppg and 10.5 rpg, elevating her season total to 5.1 ppg and 5.9 rpg in 22 outings. She leads Sage with her 20 blocked shots. The career block leader at Sage as a sophomore, she continues to add to her resume that now includes 119 blocked shots. She has 373 career points as well with 488 rebounds and ranks 6th in rebounding, while playing in 68 career games and is No. 14 in games played.
Stopera added his name to another record as he broke the record for most points in a game. He tallied 32 points against FSC, bettering the old mark of 28 points. He had a great week, averaging 23.0 ppg with 9.0 apg and shot 61.1% from the floor, with 60.0% from three-point range. He is enjoying his personal-best season with his 254 points and 151 assists. He is averaging 11.5 ppg in 22 games played with 54 steals and a team-best 33.0 minutes per game as well. He ranks No. 1 in the league with his 6.86 assists per game average, while ranking second with his 2.45 steals per game. He is also No. 2 in assist to turnover ratio with a 2.61 rating and ranks 4th in FT% (78.1%). He continues to add to Sage’s career record book as he has now played in 107 games with 552 assists, 232 steals, and is No. 3 all-time at Sage in scoring with 842 career points. He earned Skyline Co-Player of the Week honors for his play.
Sage’s men’s basketball teams will be in action on Wednesday, February 19 when the Gators travel to Purchase College for a 7 p.m. Skyline Conference contest. Sage’s women’s team will host the College of Mt. St. Vincent on February 21 in a 7 p.m. Skyline Conference game. Sage’s women’s team is 13-9 overall with an 8-4 record in the Skyline Conference. Sage’s women’s team will set a new standard for wins in a season when they achieve their 14th win. Sage’s men’s team boasts a 14-9 overall record, while standing at 10-6 in the league. The Gator men set the single-season win mark last week and are looking to build upon that record.
Both Sage’s basketball teams have earned a spot in the upcoming Skyline Conference Tournament. The appearance for Sage’s women’s team is the second in program history after first appearing in the 2011 tournament. For the Gator men, the appearance is the second as well after Sage earned a bid for the first time last year.
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