Albany, NY – The Sage Colleges' men's basketball program has selected senior forward Mason Horne (Albany, NY/LaSalle Institute) and graduate student, Jeff Stopera (Scotia, NY/Scotia Glenville) as the team's 2013-2014 team captains. The upcoming season marks the fifth campaign for the Gator men's basketball program as a member of the NCAA and the fifth season for the squad's mentor, Brian Barnes.
Head Coach Brian Barnes said of the selections, "Both Jeff and Mason were key members in our very first recruiting class." Barnes added, "Our coaching staff and all of their Gator teammates are ready to do everything we can to make some special memories this season."
Last year's Gator of the Year Award winner as the team's Most Valuable Player, was Mason Horne. The junior forward led the Gators in scoring over the course of the 2012-2013 season with a 16.4 ppg average after adding 410 points. He also averaged 5.5 rpg average in 25 games played and started. He was the Gators' top scorer 13 times on the season, while five times also leading the squad in rebounding. He was named to the 2012-2013 Skyline Conference All-Star Second Team for his efforts. Horne has also elevated his Sage career resume to include 975 points with 352 career rebounds. He is the program's second all-time leading scorer and is poised to become the second player in Sage men's basketball history to join the 1,000 point club.
Over the course of his junior season, he was named to the Skyline Conference Honor Roll five times and ranked No. 5 in the league in scoring, while standing at No. 10 in field goal percentage (151-311, 48.6%), No. 8 in steals (1.56 per game), and No. 10 in defensive rebounds (104, 4.16 rpg). He was a major factor in the team's appearance in the Skyline Conference Tournament, a program first, while also helping the team to the second berth into the ECAC Championships by season's end. He was also named to the 2012-2013 Skyline Conference Scholar-Athlete Team for his efforts on the hardwood and in the classroom.
He will serve as a team co-captain this year and has a 13.0 ppg average on his career in 75 games played and is a two-time Gator Award winner after earning the honor as a sophomore in 2011-2012 as a sophomore.
Barnes noted of Horne, "It has been very special to witness Mason Horne's growth and development, not only as player, but also as a leader and student athlete. Mason is poised for a record-breaking senior season and there is nothing more important to him than taking our program to new heights in post-season play."
Named a team captain for his final campaign, Jeff Stopera is a seasoned veteran for the Gator men's basketball team. He was a member of Sage's first varsity basketball team in 2009-2010. Last season, while serving as a team captain, he led the Gators with 27 starts and helped the team garner the program's first appearance in the Skyline Conference Tournament as well as a return trip to the ECAC Metro Tournament in 2013. He led the team with his 32.1 minutes per game average while connecting for a 9.1 ppg average. He led the team once again with his 114 assists, while racking up 53 steals and a 2.0 rpg average. He ranked No. 4 in the Skyline in assists per game average (4.22), while also ranking fourth in both free throw percentage (76.1%, 83-109) and assist to turnover ratio (1.30). He chipped in a personal-best 18 points in Sage's match-up with NYU-Poly last January.
As a junior, his campaign was cut short with an injury. Prior to the injury, he was a seven-game starter for the Gators and had a 5.7 ppg and 2.1 rpg average, while handing out 32 assists with 40 steals. He capped the season with a selection to the NABC Honors Court for his accomplishments on the court and in the classroom.
As a sophomore, he was a 26-game starter and led the Gators with his 152 assists, while averaging 7.3 ppg. As a rookie, he started 20 of 25 games played and handed out 103 assists with a 4.5 ppg average.
Among his many highlights at Sage, he has twice hit the single-game mark with 11 assists in a game and also ranks fourth in program history with his 588 career points. He also owns a 77.4% career free throw percentage in 85 games played with 80 starts, both of which rank No. 2 in the career records book.
He also holds Sage's career records for most assists (401), most steals (178), and stands No. 3 in career free throws made (226), and free throws attempted (292). He also ranks second with his 128 career three-point field goals attempted and No. 2 with his 36 career three-pointers made.
"Jeff is entering his fourth season as a team captain," remarked Barnes. "Each year Jeff has not only improved his game. but has also enhanced his ability to motivate teammates and encourage our younger players to follow his lead. Jeff has grown into an exceptional leader. No one works harder on their game or in practice than Jeff Stopera."
The Gators will open the 2013-2014 season on the road competing at the Nazareth College Golden Flyer Invitational. Sage opens the campaign on Friday, November 15 facing the host Nazareth College at 8 p.m. in Rochester, NY. The to-day tournament wraps on Saturday with the consolation game at 2 p.m. and the championship game at 4 p.m.
Sage's home opener will take place in Tuesday, November 26 when the Gators host RPI at 8 p.m. in the Kahl Gym.
