2/4/14

Four Berkeley College of New York basketball standouts receive HVIAC praise



The Hudson Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Conference announced its weekly winners on Tuesday morning, and the Berkeley College of New York basketball teams were well represented. On the men’s side, Knights freshman center Ahmed Dickerson was named the Rookie of the Week, and senior center Elijah Craig was named to the Honor Roll. For Berkeley’s women, junior forward Patricia Patterson was tabbed as the Rookie of the Week, and senior guard Aiyesha Brown was named to the Honor Roll.

Ahmed Dickerson provided a much-needed spark for the Knights in Berkeley’s 83-82 come-from-behind victory over Valley Forge Christian College this past Saturday evening. The Brooklyn, NY native netted 12 of his 13 points in the first session of the contest. He also snatched seven rebounds, blocked a shot and tallied a steal in 22 minutes of action. Elijah Craig recorded his sixth double-double of the 2013-2014 campaign in that same game, as he dropped-in 13 points to go along with his 17 rebounds. He also swatted three shots in the victory, as well. Berkeley College Head Coach Chris Christiansen was very proud of both individuals after learning that they achieved the honors.

“Ahmed Dickerson showed tremendous poise for a young player this past Saturday evening,” Christiansen said. “He did a great-job all around for us, contributing on both the offensive and defensive sides of the floor. As for Elijah – I can’t say enough about what he’s meant to this squad. He came up huge down the stretch for us in our win against Valley Forge Christian College, and he continues to show tremendous prowess in the paint. I’m looking forward to seeing how both of them do down the stretch of this season.”

On the women’s side, Patricia Patterson earned Rookie of the Week praise for the fourth time this season, as in victories over York College and Briarcliffe College and a loss to NHTI, the Brooklyn, NY native averaged 5.7 points and 10.3 rebounds. Aiyesha Brown averaged 22.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in those three aforementioned contests. Head Coach Sharod Tomlinson praised his players for their diligent efforts.

“Patricia Patterson and Aiyesha Brown continue to lead by example and play with tremendous grit night-in and night-out,” Tomlinson said. “I can’t say enough about how impressive they’ve been this season. They’ve been extremely productive through the first 16 games of our season, and with the HVIAC tournament approaching, I’m looking forward to seeing them turn it up another notch.”

The Berkeley College of New York women’s basketball team returns to action this evening as the Knights host the Maccabees of Yeshiva University at the Wellness Center on the campus of the College of New Rochelle. Start-time for that contest is scheduled for 8:00pm. The men’s unit will return to the court on Thursday evening as they take to the road to battle Sarah Lawrence College. Tip-off for that game is slated for 7:30pm.