Patriot League Notebook
If It’s Not Patrick Doctor, Than Who?
Yes, believe it or not, a player from American U. other than Patrick Doctor was named Patriot League Player of the Week. Junior guard Glenn Stokes had 22 points and 6 steals against Navy and upstaged everyone (including the national anthem singer) with a solo 14-point run. Stokes followed up the display with a 20-point night against Colgate, helping the Eagles sweep the Red Raiders this season.
‘Doctoring’ the Record Books
Center Patrick Doctor is 101 points and 76 rebounds from AU Basketball immortality. If he can accomplish both goals, he will become only the fourth player in school history to rank in the top-ten in both categories. With five regular season games left, the Patriot Tournament and a possible trip to the NCAA’s, Doctor is likely to scale both heights.
Nate the Great
Is anyone else in the Patriot League a rookie this year? Or is Holy Cross’s Nate Lufkin just that good? Lufkin, the freshman Center out of Austin, Texas, has won the conference’s rookie of the year award for five straight weeks, seven overall. Lufkin had his best game ever with a 13-point, 8-rebound affair against Bucknell. Thanks to Nate’s efforts, HC now has sole possession of second place. Lufkin is enjoying these honors so much, he’s thinking about being a rookie again next year.
The Road to Upper Marlboro
For the first time in recent Patriot League history, the conference will be holding all of its tournament games, except the championship, at one neutral site. The Showplace Arena, a 5,800-seat venue in suburban Washington, DC, will host both the Men’s and Women’s tournaments, March 1-3. The men’s championship game will be played on Friday, March 8, at the home court of the highest remaining seed. The two women’s contenders will play for the title on March 6th. Those who closely follow this fine conference might suggest that the tournament was moved closer to DC to appease newest member American. Ya think?!?!?!?!?!?
Must-See Game
American at Lafayette, on February 9th. The Leopards are looking to claw their way back to second place and can do so with an upset of the Patriot-leading Eagles. Lafayette has won 2 of their last 3, but one of those losses was a critical 76-70 flub against Holy Cross. The loss flushed the Leopards to a third-place tie with Bucknell.
Leaders:
Scoring: Chris Spatola, Army, 17.5 ppg (season-high 28 at Lehigh, February 2nd)
Rebounding: Boakai Lalugba, Bucknell, 7.3 rpg
Assists: Jave Meade, Holy Cross, 5.0 apg
