AMHERST, Massachusetts -- Billy Skorupski (North Hatfield, MA), senior center for the Amherst College men's basketball team, was named a 1997-98 ECAC/Amerisuites New England Division III Men's Basketball All-Star as a member of the Second Team Frontcourt. This is Skorupski's first appearance on the All-ECAC team.
Skorupski concluded his career as the Jeffs' leading rebounder (8.4 rpg) and third leading scorer (13.6 ppg). Highlighting his season was a career-high 27-point performance to rally the Jeffs from a 13-point deficit to NESCAC-rival Middlebury toward a 71-68 victory for Amherst's 13th straight victory to jumpstart the season. The tri-captain also pulled down a career-best 20 boards as Amherst claimed its first regular-season victory over Colby since 1989, though the Jeffs had knocked the White Mules out of three post-season appearances since 1994.
Amherst men's basketball finished its 1997-98 campaign with a 20-5 record in the semifinals of the ECAC Championship. The Jeffs had jumped out to their best start ever, boasting a 13-0 mark as the top team in New England and 5th best in the nation before dropping their first game. Skorupski and the Class of 1998 will graduate with an 80-25 career record with four post-season appearances, including an NCAA bid in 1997 and back-to-back ECAC titles in 1995 and 1996.
1997-98 ECAC/Amerisuites New England Division III Men's Basketball All-Stars
First Team Frontcourt Khris Silveria Sr. Salem State Gloucester, MA John Patriltis Sr. Anna Maria Worcester, MA Michael Nogelo Sr. Williams Sudbury, MA First Team Backcourt Donta Johnson Sr. Springfield Tuckahoe, NY Adam DeChristopher Jr. Plymouth State Brockton, MA Second Team Frontcourt Billy Skorupski Sr. Amherst North Hatfield, MA Zach Smith Jr. Conn College Mt. Kisco, NY Mike Fennessy Jr. Southern Maine Lewiston, ME Second Team Backcourt Jason Antonio Jr. UMass Dartmouth Mattapoisett, MA Brian Skerry Sr. Tufts Medford, MA Third Team Frontcourt Brian Wilder Jr. Colby-Sawyer Waltham, MA Greg Cardello Sr. Salem State Wilmington, MA John Mulfinger Jr. Trinity Franklin Lakes, NJ Third Team Backcourt Matt George Sr. Colby-Sawyer Barre, VT Al Rue Sr. UMass Boston Roxbury, MA # # # 3/10/98