JOHNSTOWN — Basketball

College

McCort grad Kirkpatrick earns coaching honor

Mike Kirkpatrick, a Bishop McCort graduate and former Crushers basketball coach, led Gettysburg College women’s basketball team to a 21-7 record and NCAA Division III Tournament appearance while also earning Centennial Conference Coach of the Year honors.

In his 24th season at Gettysburg, Kirkpatrick was named conference coach of the year for the second time in his career. Gettysburg went 16-4 in Centennial Conference play and earned the top seed for the conference tournament. Gettysburg won the Centennial Conference Tournament and advanced to NCAA Division III play, where the Bullets lost 71-64 to William Patterson on Friday.

Kirkpatrick also was conference coach of the year in 2009-10.



Brown named NEC's most improved

According to the coaches of the Northeast Conference, the future is bright for the St. Francis men’s basketball program.

On Tuesday, three Red Flash players earned league postseason awards led by sophomore Earl Brown's selection as the NEC’s Most Improved Player.

Guard Ben Millaud-Meunier and forward Stephon Mosley were named to the five-member NEC All-Rookie Team to cap solid freshman campaigns.

Following a promising, if nondescript freshman campaign in 2011-12, Brown exploded onto the scene around the turn of the new year for the Red Flash. The Philly native posted seven consecutive double-doubles, averaging 13.6 points and 15.4 rebounds over the span to raise some eyebrows around the league.

The highlight of that stretch was Brown’s 16-point, 25-rebound outing in a win over Central Connecticut on January 3. The 25 rebounds were one off the NEC single-game record and the most in the nation this season.

He lifted his scoring average from 6.0 ppg to 10.1 ppg, and his rebounding numbers from 3.0 rpg to 8.1 rpg.  He ranks fifth in the league in rebounding and his 10 double-doubles tie him for first in the conference.

“Earl has established himself as one of the best rebounders in the NEC,” said Krimmel. “He plays with great energy and has worked hard to expand his offensive game.”

Millaud-Meunier came on strong down the stretch for the Red Flash, averaging 13.0 points over the last seven games of the 2012-13 campaign.  For the year, he contributed 9.3 ppg – second among NEC freshman – and shot 47.6 percent from 3-point territory. His seven 3-pointers against FDU on Feb. 21 tied for the fifth-most in SFU history and were the most in a game for a Red Flash player since 2005.

Despite missing the season’s final month, Mosley showed a world of promise in his initial 18-game stint for Saint Francis, including two Choice Hotels NEC Rookie of the Week awards to his credit.  The Garden State native averaged 8.3 points and 4.6 rebounds, while shooting 49.6 percent from the floor.

“Stephon is a versatile forward who has made great strides on the court since he arrived last summer,” Krimmel said.



Baseball

College

Westmont’s Legath beats NJCAA-ranked team

Westmont Hilltop graduate and AAABA League product Ben Legath picked up his first college pitching victory in impressive fashion.

Legath, a right-hander for the College of Central Florida, tossed six innings in a victory over then No. 2 Gulf Coast State. Legath left with an 8-1 lead. His team held on to win 8-7.

He gave up five hits and struck out six for the Patriots. Legath, a Dean’s List student at Central Florida, played for Delweld in the local AAABA League.

Mount falls against Kings

MYRTLE BEACH, SC – Aaron Kovach was 2-for-4 with a home run and a double but Mount Aloysius fell 10-4 to King’s College Tuesday.

Luke Szymanski was also 2 for 4 and Alex Martin had a double for the Mounties, now 2-4.



Swimming

Ward part of Clarion team at NCAA D-II Nationals

The Clarion University men’s team, led by four-time freestyle All-American Joe Ward is set to compete in the NCAA Division II National Championships today through Saturday at the Crossplex facility in Birmingham, Alabama.

Ward, a Westmont Hilltop graduate, is making his fourth trip to nationals. Last year Ward swam in the 50, 100 and 200 freestyle events but did not place in the top 16. He will swim the same events in 2013. Ward is seeded 12th in the 50 free and 21st in the 100.

In 2011 Ward placed fifth in the 100 free with a personal best time of 44.30. Ward also placed 11th in the 50 freestyle with a time of 20.33 and was a two-time All-American. In 2010, he was a two-time All-American on relays.

Golden Eagles 13-year head coach Mark VanDyke is looking forward to the NCAA’s, after leading the men to a third place place finish at the 2013 PSAC Championships.

“We hope that Joe can reach a personal best in the 50 and 100,” coach VanDyke said about the former Hilltopper.

Soccer

SFU’s McLeod lands pro team

MAPLE, Ontario - Former St. Francis men’s player Kingsley McLeod signed with the York Region Shooters professional club.

"I'm very excited about signing with the club. I'm grateful for the opportunity that they have given me to play professionally,” McLeod said. “I am here to score goals and lead the team to a Championship. I will continue to work hard and try my best to accomplish these goals."

The Rocky Mount, N.C. native netted 13 goals in his time with the Red Flash. McLeod appeared in 68 games for SFU, including 48 starts. During his junior season he was named an NSCAA All-North Atlantic Team selection.

“Kingsley is an enthusiastic attacking player that loves to find the net and is sure to make some buzz his debut season,” said his agent, Tony Poarch. “I am very happy for Kingsley and the Shooters Organization.”

Volleyball

Red Flash’s Beatty honored

LORETTO – Kyle Beatty of the St. Francis men's team, was named the Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association Defensive Player of the Week on Monday.

The junior outside hitter led the Red Flash defense as they took down NJIT and Rutgers-Newark this past weekend.

In the marathon win over NJIT, Beatty recorded a career-high 19 digs and three blocks, while adding 10 kills on the offensive end. The following day, the junior posted eight digs and two blocks against the Scarlet Raiders of Rutgers-Newark.

This is Beatty's first EIVA Defensive Player of the Week selection in 2013.