PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Zach Johnson, Junior, Forward, Vassar College
Vassar College junior Zach Johnson was named the Liberty League Player of the Year. The Brewers’ leading scorer, he averaged 14.8 points, 11.3 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 26 games on 51.5% shooting percentage this season. In three Liberty League tournament games, he totaled 47 points (15.6 per game) and added 25 boards (8.3 per game) en route to Vassar winning its first Liberty League championship in program history. Johnson paces the league in offensive rebounds (105, 4.0 per game) and ranks second in rebounds per game. He is also among the top-ten in field goal percentage (6th) and points per game (9th). The two-time Liberty League Performer of the Week broke Vassar’s single-season records in offensive rebounds offensive rebounds, defensive rebounds (190), rebounding average and total rebounds (295). He also produced 14 double-doubles and one triple-double on the year.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Dom Black, Senior, Guard, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
RPI senior Dom Black was recognized as the Liberty League Defensive Player of the Year for the second time as he helped the Engineers win its second straight Liberty League regular season title. As a team, RPI tops Division III and league in scoring defense, holding opponents to 57.5 points per game. In 24 games, Black leads RPI in steals (48) and minutes per game (30.8). He is ranked second on the team with 71 assists and 10 blocked shots. His 48 steals (2.0 per game) puts him third among conference leaders. Black also contributed offensively with 10.8 points (260 total) and 5.6 rebounds per game (135 total).
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Aidan Rodgers, Guard, Hobart College
Hobart College first-year Aidan Rodgers was selected the Liberty League Rookie of the Year. Rodgers had an immediate impact in his first year with the Statesmen. He was the only player to start all 26 games this season while leading the team in assists (69) and three-pointers made (47). He was second in scoring with 288 points (11.1 points per game). He averaged 1.8 three-pointers made per game, good for seventh in the conference. He posted season-highs of 21 points, eight rebounds and seven assists at Ithaca in January. Rodgers registered points in the double-digits 16 times this season.
COACHING STAFF OF THE YEAR: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute – Mark Gilbride, Head Coach; Assistant Coaches James Holmes & Anthony Reilly
The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) men’s basketball coaching staff earned Liberty League Coaching Staff of the Year honors. Head Coach Mark Gilbride along with assistant coaches James Holmes and Anthony Reilly directed the Engineers to a 21-5 overall record and a second straight Liberty League regular season title. RPI has won 20 games or more in back-to-back seasons for the first time in school history. The Engineers currently lead Division III in scoring defense, holding opponents to a league-best 57.5 points per game. They also lead the league in field-goal percentage (.462) and free-throw percentage (.716). The Engineers return to the NCAA tournament for the ninth time in program history. They earned an at-large bid for the second straight year and will travel to Middletown, Conn. to play Nichols in the first-round.
ALL-LIBERTY LEAGUE FIRST TEAM
Dom Black, Sr., G, RPI
Zach Johnson, Jr., F, Vassar
Tautvydas Kupstas, Jr., G, Skidmore
Jackson Meshanic, Jr., F, Hobart
Luka Radovich, Sr., F, Ithaca
ALL-LIBERTY LEAGUE SECOND TEAM
Trent Adamson, Jr., F, St. Lawrence
Jonny Angbazo, Jr., F, RPI
Mike Manley, Sr., G, Union
Mason Memmelaar, Sr., F, RPI
Skylar Sinon, Sr., G, Ithaca
ALL-LIBERTY LEAGUE HONORABLE MENTION
Avni Mustafaj, Jr., G, Vassar
Brian Noone, Sr., G, Union
Greg Skoric, Jr., F/C, Skidmore