Jones tabbed a first teamer, Maurice grabs Rookie of the year nod
Junior John Jones was selected to the All MASCAC first team, while freshman Paul Maurice was tabbed as the rookie of the year after a vote of the league's coaches
North Adams, MA- A pair of Trailblazers were honored by the MASCAC following a league wide vote of the conference coaches. MCLA Junior John Jones was named first team All MASCAC, while teammate Paul Maurice was selected as the conference's rookie of the year. Both players were integral parts of MCLA's 9-3 mark in MASCAC play.
Jones was a force on both ends of the floor for the Trailblazers. He averaged a double double of 14.2 points and 10.1 rebounds per game, both good enough to lead MCLA. He saved his best stretch of the season for last as he had a stretch of six straight double doubles. The aggresive Jones was often seen all over the floor diving for loose balls and driving to the hoop. He created havoc for opposing offensive players as well with his tenacious defense.
If Jones was the slasher, Maurice was the sharp shooter. The freshman from Snowden, MA quickly earned his stripes knocking down key shots, mainly from behind the arc. He was third in the MASCAC with 43 triples on the season while shooting a respectable 32% from three. He averaged just over nine points a night while also collecting a pair of steals per night. His best showing came in a loss to Bridgewater State in which he scored 14 straight points in almost bringing the Trailblazers back from 22 points down.
Both Jones and Maurice will be on display as the second seeded Trailblazers will host third seeded Salem State tomorrow night at 7pm in the conference semifinals in the Amsler Campus Center Gym.
Westfield State's Lee Vazquez was tabbed as the conference's player of the year.