Onondaga CC’s Thomsen, Williams, and Byrne receive Basketball Coaches Association of New York honors

Lazers recognized for accomplishments on the court and in the classroom.

SYRACUSE, NY. – March 17, 2008 – The Basketball Coaches Association of New York has recognized three Onondaga Community College men’s basketball players among its year-end award winners. Zack Thomsen (New Berlin Unadilla Valley) and Shane Williams (Camillus West Genesee) were both named to the Association’s All-New York State Junior College Team. Williams and Pete Byrne (Syracuse Bishop Ludden) both received the Association’s Scholar Athlete Award.

The BCANY All-New York State Junior College Team recognizes the top junior college players from among the Association’s membership across Divisions I, II, and III in both Region 3 (Upstate New York) and Region 15 (Downstate New York). The 1st Team included Dyshaun Flournoy (Suffolk County Community College), Justin Gallo (Hudson Valley Community College), Datwan Hemingway (Hudson Valley Community College), B.J. McDowell (Sullivan County Community College), and Lionel Sullivan (Monroe Community College). Thomsen and Williams were both 2nd Team selections, and were joined by Tim Cokley (Monroe Community College), Dusty Marshall (Alfred State College), and Emanuel Mayben (Hudson Valley Community College). McDowell was the BCANY New York State Junior College Player of the Year, and Andre Cook (Hudson Valley Community College) was the BCANY New York State Junior College Coach of the Year.

Thomsen averaged 12.4 points and 4.9 assists per contest. He also led Onondaga in assists, three-point goals made, three point percentage, free throw percentage, and minutes played. He had a 3:1 assist to turnover ratio, and his 51 turnovers on the season were the fewest ever for an Onondaga point guard. Previously, he had been named to the Mid-State Athletic Conference All-Conference Team and was named 2nd Team Region III All-Region. Williams led the Lazers in both scoring and rebounding this season. He averaged 16.0 points and 11.2 rebounds per contest. In the process, he set both single season and career rebounding records for Onondaga, and also established a new career record for blocked shots. Williams was also named to the Mid-State Athletic Conference All-Conference Team and was named 2nd Team Region III All-Region.

The BCANY Scholar Athlete Award recognizes basketball players at all levels throughout the state for academic achievement as well as achievement on the court. Williams, a business administration major, currently has a grade point average of 3.588, while Byrne, also a business administration major, has a GPA of 3.556.

The Basketball Coaches Association of New York is an organization of approximately 1,200 basketball coaches at all levels from across New York State. The Association is dedicated to promoting, improving, and enhancing the game throughout the state.