BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Seniors Ericka Blair and Blake English from the Moravian College basketball teams have been named to the Lehigh Valley Small College Basketball Unsung Player Teams of the Month for December by the Lehigh Valley Small College Basketball Organization at its first luncheon of the 2013-14 season at Starters Pub in Bethlehem.
The Lehigh Valley Small College Basketball Organization is made up of the seven small college schools in the Lehigh Valley including NCAA Division II schools East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania and Kutztown University of Pennsylvania and NCAA Division III schools Cedar Crest College, Delaware Valley College, DeSales University, Moravian College and Muhlenberg College.
Blair, a 5-foot-11 forward on the Greyhounds' women's basketball squad, has helped open the year with a 4-1 record as a key member off the bench. Blair is tied for the Greyhound lead in steals with seven while averaging 4.4 points and 3.2 rebounds per game. She has played in all five games this season, and added a career-high four steals in the 72-62 win over Albright College on Nov. 23.
"Ericka gives our team a great deal of energy, toughness and hard work every day," said assistant coach Sara Steinman. "She makes everyone on our team work hard and dedicate themselves to the sport. She has battled injuries, but she's really focused this year and came to the team in great shape. She also brings a huge personality both on and off the court."
Joining Blair on the December Unsung Player Team of the Month were Colleen Caldwell of Muhlenberg, Agatha Drozd of Delaware Valley, Kara Funk of Kutztown, Megan Gallagher of DeSales, Kayleigh Keggan of Cedar Crest, and Melissa Poderis of East Stroudsburg.
English, a 6-foot-7 center for the Moravian men, has helped the Greyhounds to a 3-3 overall mark this season. English is averaging 11.3 points and 5.2 rebounds per game to go with his team-best totals of 16 blocks and seven steals. He is shooting 48 percent from the floor this season and notched a season-high 17 points in the season-opener against host Johns Hopkins University at the annual Blue Jay Invitational on Nov. 15.
"What's unique about Blake is that he's able to do everything well," said head coach Jim Walker. "It's incredible to have a player who can succeed at a high level in scoring, rebounding and defensive ability. He can finish from anywhere on the court and he's always the first big man up and down the court. He's battled his way through injuries all five years, and on top of that, he's a very good student as well."
Joining English on the December Unsung Player Team of the Month were James Albano of Muhlenberg, Andrew Kohler of DeSales, Mike McCready of Kutztown, Zechariah Runkle of East Stroudsburg, and Nick Sullivan of Delaware Valley.
The next Lehigh Valley Small College Basketball Luncheon is scheduled for Tuesday, January 21st, 2014 at Starters Pub in Bethlehem.
