KUTZTOWN, PA (March 17, 2010) – Kutztown University senior guard and Division II national player of the year candidate Stephen Dennis has been named to the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Atlantic Region first team. In addition, Dennis was selected to participate in the annual NABC/Division II All-Star game, which will be played in Springfield (Mass.) on Friday March 26.
Dennis enjoyed a season to remember in leading Division II in scoring (26.6 points per game) and helping Kutztown (23-8 overall) to consecutive 20-win seasons along with another appearance in the NCAA Division II tournament.
Dennis ended his career with 2,406 points, which is third all-time in the history of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC). In addition to setting the all-time Kutztown school scoring record, Dennis established program marks in field goals (850), free throws (621) and assists (447). He also set the KU single season scoring record in two consecutive seasons. His total of 817 points surpassed the 710 he set last year.
Among the honors that have been bestowed upon Dennis are being named Lehigh Valley Small College Player of the Year, Daktronics Atlantic Region Player of the Year and PSAC East Division Player of the Year. Dennis, who won five PSAC East player of the week awards this season, ended his career by scoring in double figures in 46 consecutive contests and in 107 games. During his four-year career, Dennis helped Kutztown win 87 games and two PSAC East Division championships.
Among some of his highlights this season was his first career triple-double against Chestnut Hill (31 points, 11 assists, 11 rebounds), his career-high 42-point performance against previously unbeaten East Stroudsburg and making a game-winning shot against Goldey Beacom. He scored 30 or more points nine times this season and was featured in the Feb. 8 issue of Sports Illustrated. Dennis, who was selected to participate in the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, also finished the season with five double-doubles.
Also named to the NABC first team was Darryl Webb (Indiana, Pa), Darren Jones (West Virginia State), Terrell Eargle (Alderson-Broaddus), Corey Pelle (West Liberty State) and Josh Miller (West Virginia State). Earning NABC Atlantic Region second team honors were Sharif Bray (Cheyney), Yusef Carr (Mansfield), Duke Crews (Bowie State), Mike Mathey (West Liberty State) and Chirs Jordan (Saint Augustine's).
The team was selected and voted on by member coaches of the NABC. The 88 student-athletes, from eight districts, are now eligible for the State Farm® Coaches' Division II All-America team, selected by the NABC.
About the National Association of Basketball Coaches: Located in Kansas City, Missouri, the NABC was founded in 1927 by Phog Allen, the legendary basketball coach at the University of Kansas. Allen, a student of James Naismith, the inventor of basketball, organized coaches into this collective group to serve as Guardians of the Game. The NABC currently claims nearly 5,000 members consisting primarily of university and college men s basketball coaches. All members of the NABC are expected to uphold the core values of being a Guardian of the Game by bringing attention to the positive aspects of the sport of basketball and the role coaches play in the academic and athletic lives of today s student-athletes. The four core values of being a Guardian of the Game are advocacy, leadership, service and education.
--KU--
