Three Lancers Named to All-WACBA Teams

WORCESTER, Mass. – Three Worcester State University basketball players have been named to the All-Worcester Area College Basketball Association (WACBA) teams, as announced by the association Wednesday morning.

Worcester State’s senior sophomore, Britt Herring (W. Brookfield, Mass.) was named to the All-WACBA women’s basketball first team. Herring, who was also named to the MASCAC First Team this season averaged 12.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game. This season, she shot 52.5% (137-261) from the field. She was amongst the top-5 in rebounds (203) and rebounds per game (7.8) in the 2016-17 WACBA final standings.

Earning a spot on the All-WACBA women’s second team was classmate Kaitlyn Berkel (Waterford, Conn.). In her second year with the Blue and Gold, Berkel averaged 12 points and 6.2 rebounds. She totaled 311 points this season on 126-of-282 (44.7%) field goals, 6-of-19 (31.6%) triples, and 53 made free throw shots. Berkel was 13^th in the Worcester Area in points per game.

On the men’s side, Worcester State’s senior center Paul Brooks (Arlington, Mass.) was named to the All-WACBA Second Team. Brooks led the Lancers on both the offensive and defensive courts in the 2016-17 season, averaging 11.6 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks per game. He shot 60.4% from the field this season (best field goal percentage in the MASCAC) making 139-of-230 field goals. He also was first in the conference in blocks (69), third in the conference in offensive rebounds (98), and fourth in the conference in overall rebounds (222) this season. He was amongst the top-5 rebounding leaders and top-15 in scoring in the Worcester area.

Nichols swept the men’s major awards while Assumption, Becker, Fitchburg State and WPI took top billing for the women as the Worcester Area College Basketball Association (WACBA) resumed its postseason awards program. Additionally, 12 student-athletes from each gender were tabbed All-WACBA. Voters included sports information directors or primary contacts from each of the nine NCAA schools in Worcester County, as well as three members representing the local media.

WACBA (Worcester Area College Basketball Association) is an organization billed as “one of its kind in the country” featuring 10 colleges, 20 programs plus sports information directors and media members to foster friendships and camaraderie along with promoting the GREAT GAME OF BASKETBALL throughout the TRADITIION RICH Worcester Country Area.

MAJOR AWARD WINNERS

Men’s Player of the Year

Nichols sophomore Marcos Echevarria (Lynn, Mass.)

Women’s Player of the Year

WPI junior Ama Biney (Worcester, Mass,)

*Unanimous selection

Men’s Rookie of the Year

Nichols freshman DeAnte Bruton (New London, Conn.)

Women’s Rookie of the Year

Fitchburg State freshman Kyra Rose (Rockland, Mass.)

Men’s Coach of the Year

Tom Glynn, Nichols

Women’s Co-Coaches of the Year

Kerry Phayre, Assumption and David Bostick, Becker

ALL-WACBA TEAMS