NMU's McElroy Tabbed "Freshman of the Year," UF's Niekamp Earns "Coach of the Year" Honors.
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BAY CITY, Mich. -- Senior forward Josh Bostic (Columbus, Ohio/Westland) of the University of Findlay has been selected as the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) men's basketball "Player of the Year." Rookie guard Raymont McElroy (Milwaukee, Wis./South) of Northern Michigan University was chosen as "Freshman of the Year," while Findlay head coach Ron Niekamp earned GLIAC "Coach of the Year" honors. All three were selected by the GLIAC men's basketball coaches in conjunction with all-conference balloting.
Bostic, the Preseason GLIAC Player of the Year, has led
the top-ranked Oilers to a perfect 28-0 season thus far by
averaging 17.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.6 steals per
game. For his career, Bostic has led the Oilers to an impressive
110-12 record which includes a 68-5 mark in the GLIAC. He has also
helped the Oilers capture three GLIAC South Division titles and one
GLIAC Tournament championship.
Bostic, who was also named First Team All-GLIAC last season, has scored 1,537 points in his career, which ranks 11th all-time at Findlay. He was selected as an All-American during his junior season by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) and was tabbed as the 2008-09 Preseason National Player of the Year by the Division II Bulletin. The two-time GLIAC All-Defensive Team selection currently leads the GLIAC in steals while ranking third in scoring. He joins former standout Dustin Pfeifer as the only other Oilers player to receive the league's highest honor. Pfeifer was tabbed with the award after the 2005-06 campaign.
McElroy finished second on the Wildcats in scoring (13.0
ppg.) and third in rebounding (3.3rpg.) while shooting 43.4 percent
from the floor in his rookie campaign. He led the team, and was
second in the GLIAC in minutes played with 35.9 per contest while
starting 26 of Northern Michigan's 27 games. McElroy ranks 14th in
the GLIAC in scoring, 12th in assists (3.1 apg.), 11th in
three-point field goal percentage (.422), and 10th in
assist-to-turnover ratio (1.5). Raymont recorded a career-high 26
points versus Hillsdale on February 19,
2009.
Niekamp earned his eighth South Division title this year after leading the Oilers to a perfect 22-0 record in regular season conference play. The now five-time GLIAC Coach of the Year has also captured three conference tournament championships, coming in 2004, 2005 and 2007. Overall, Niekamp has posted a career record of 542-174 during his 24-year tenure with Findlay which includes a 164-49 mark in the GLIAC. He has also led his teams to a 16-4 record in the GLIAC Tournament and a 9-7 mark in the NCAA Tournament, reaching the Elite Eight in 2005 and Sweet 16 in 2008.
Joining Bostic on the All-GLIAC South Division First Team are: Findlay teammates senior forward Morgan Lewis and junior guard Marcus Parker; Hillsdale College senior center Tony Gugino; and Ashland University sophomore forward Kale Richardson.
The All-GLIAC North Division First Team includes: Ferris State University sophomore forward Justin Keenan, Grand Valley State senior guard Pete Trammell; Lake Superior State University senior center Ryan Kuhl and senior guard Tim VanOudheusden; and Saginaw Valley State University senior guard Dante Williams.
Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
2008-09 Men's Basketball All-Conference Teams and Postseason Awards
Player of the Year: Josh Bostic - University of Findlay (Sr./F/Columbus, Ohio/Westland)
Freshman of the Year: Raymont McElroy - Northern Michigan University (Milwaukee, Wis./South)
Coach of the Year: Ron Niekamp - University of Findlay
GLIAC North Division All-Conference First Team
Name School Year Pos. Hometown/High School
Justin Keenan Ferris State University So. F Grand Rapids, Mich./Ottawa Hills
Ryan Kuhl Lake Superior State University Sr. C Rochester, Mich./Adams
Pete Trammell Grand Valley State University Sr. G/F Jenison, Mich.
Tim VanOudheusden Lake Superior State University Sr. G Grand Rapids, Mich./Baptist
Dante Williams Saginaw Valley State University Sr. G Romulus, Mich.
GLIAC South Division All-Conference First Team
Name School Year Pos. Hometown/High School
Josh Bostic University of Findlay Sr. F Columbus, Ohio/Westland
Tony Gugino Hillsdale College Sr. C Holland, Mich./Christian
Morgan Lewis University of Findlay Sr. F Painesville, Ohio/Harvey
Marcus Parker University of Findlay Jr. G Canton, Ohio/McKinley
Kale Richardson Ashland University So. F Carroll, Ohio
GLIAC North Division All-Conference Second Team
Name School Year Pos. Hometown/High School
Fedrick Bowe Michigan Technological University Sr. F Freeport, Bahamas
Darien Gay Ferris State University So. G Detroit, Mich./Henry Ford
Justin Ringler Grand Valley State University So. F Reed City, Mich.
Robby Springborn Michigan Technological University Sr. G Fond du Lac, Wis.
Avery Stephenson Saginaw Valley State University Jr. G Romulus, Mich.
GLIAC South Division All-Conference Second Team
Name School Year Pos. Hometown/High School
Shane Lawal Wayne State University Sr. C Southfield, Mich./Lathrup
Chris Johnson Northwood University Jr. G Belleville, Mich./Henry Ford
Keith MacKenzie Hillsdale College Sr. G Macomb Twp., Mich./DeLaSalle
Bret Wackerly Ashland University Sr. G Canton, Ohio/Canisius
Bryan Wright Wayne State University Jr. G Warren, Ohio/Harding
GLIAC North Division All-Defensive Team
Name School Year Pos. Hometown/High School
Brandon Ball Michigan Technological University Sr. G Grand Rapids, Mich./Union
Sean Geary Michigan Technological University Sr. G Marquette, Mich.
Justin Ringler Grand Valley State University So. F Reed City, Mich.
Pete Trammell Grand Valley State University Sr. G/F Jenison, Mich.
Chris Warner Northern Michigan University Jr. G Montreal, Quebec
GLIAC South Division All-Defensive Team
Name School Year Pos. Hometown/High School
Josh Bostic University of Findlay Sr. F Columbus, Ohio/Westland
Shane Lawal Wayne State University Sr. C Southfield, Mich./Lathrup
Lee Roberts University of Findlay Sr. F Middleburg, Ohio/Midpark
Larry Edwards Wayne State University Jr. G Benton Harbor, Mich.
Tyler Rosenberger Ashland University Sr. F Elmore, Ohio/Woodmore