Fourth annual award for boys and girls Players of Year
SPRINGFIELD, MA – The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced today the winners of the fourth annual Western Massachusetts Player of the Year awards. The awards are presented annually at the Western Massachusetts Senior High School All-Star Games held Friday, March 21st on the Jerry Colangelo Court of Dreams at the Hall of Fame.
“These athletes have worked hard both on and off the court and they truly deserve this honor,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. “It is an honor for us to recognize these players and we wish them the best with their future endeavors.”
The fourth annual boys’ basketball player of the year award goes to Tyler Desrosiers from Agawam High School. Desrosiers led Western Massachusetts in points per game, field goals made and free throws made for the entire 2013-14 season. This season he surpassed the 1500-point mark and leads Western Massachusetts in points per game. Desrosiers volunteered at Agawam Summer Basketball Camp for the past four seasons and will attend Post University on a full scholarship in the fall.
The fourth annual girls’ basketball player of the year award goes to Taj Lewis from Longmeadow High School. Lewis was awarded All-League Player representing the Suburban League of Western Massachusetts and All Division Team for Division II this year. While averaging 17 PPG, 14 rebounds and 4 blocks per game, the 4-year varsity player also maintains a 3.8 GPA and volunteers as an activity aide at Willimansett Center in Chicopee and at the Meadowbrook of Granby nursing home.
The Player of the Year award winners were selected by a distinguished panel of local media members. Criteria for the awards include achievement on the court, sportsmanship and character off the court.
Tickets for the All-Star game will be available at the Hall of Fame box office the night of the games and will be good for all three games that evening. The first game is at 5:30 p.m. and will feature the Division II, III and IV boys, the second game at 7 p.m. will be the Division II, III and IV girls against the Division I girls and the final game of the evening will be the boys Division I teams at 8:30 p.m.