Troy, NY---The Sage Colleges men's basketball program wrapped their first season of NCAA Division III competition this past week after a 1-1 showing. The Gators produced an impressive 7-18 overall record under the direction of head coach Brian Barnes and his assistant coach, Michael Foust. Sage went 5-15 in the Skyline Conference to finish in ninth place in the 11-team league.

With the 2009-2010 season in the record books, it did not take long for the Gators to earn some post-season recognition as freshman forward Matt Farbotko (Rouses Point, NY/Northeastern Clinton) was named the 2009-2010 Skyline Conference Rookie of the Year as chosen by the league's head basketball coaches.

Head coach Barnes said of Matt's selection, "I couldn't be more proud of Matt being selected Rookie of the Year." Barnes added, "he is a special young man, who we have really enjoyed coaching.  The award is a credit to his hard work and consistency throughout the season."   

For the year, Farbotko surpassed the 300-point plateau to finish with 351 points and a 14.0 ppg average to lead the team. He ranks ninth in the Skyline in scoring, while shooting an impressive 51.4% (138-255) from the floor to rank fourth in the conference. He was also the conference's highest scoring freshman this year.

He also ranks sixth in rebounding as well with a 7.2 rpg average having collected 179 rebounds on the season.  He was also the Gators' only 25-game starter this year.    

In the final game of the year, he added another double-digit effort extending his streak to 17th consecutive double digit scoring efforts.  He was the team's high-scorer seven times this year, while six times finishing as the squad's high rebounder. Among his personal highs this season were a 23-point performance to help Sage beat Yeshiva on January 9, 2010, while adding 14 rebounds in a contest with Old Westbury on January 16, 2010.

Barnes added, "Matt has a great attitude and has been a terrific teammate since the first day of practice.  This is exciting news for our young program heading into the off-season and looking to get better in the very near future."

A graduate of Northeastern Clinton High School, Farbotko is a former Section 7 MVP, while starring for four seasons on the basketball squad. He was atwo-year team captain and a four-time CVAV All-Star. He finished his scholastic career as the all-time leading scorer with his 1,377 points and helped the team to the Section 7 Championship title as well as a sixth place showing in the State Class B tournament.

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