The season did not end the way that the Notre Dame College Falcons wanted to but on Sunday one Falcon was recognized for his play At WesBanco Arena in Wheeling, West Virginia over the weekend. NDC redshirt sophomore Obinna Ugwuakazi was named to the MEC All-Tournament Team.
"Honestly it's an honor to be recognized, especially with an outcome that wasn't in my favor speaking of the West Liberty loss. Great accomplishment to have, "appreciate the MEC," Ugwuakazi stated.
The redshirt sophomore from Brockton, Mass. averaged 13.5 points and 16.5 rebounds in a pair of games in Wheeling. The Springfield Commonwealth Academy product scored a career high 22 points and grabbed a career high 19 rebounds on Friday night in a win over West Virginia State that was the Falcons first win in the Mountain East Conference tournament since the 2018-19 season. The 19 rebounds for Ugwuakazi were tied for the third most in a game in Mountain East Conference Tournament History.
"Really happy for Obi.He was terrific on Friday night. He's been working really hard so I'm glad to see it start to pay off. It's amazing to think about how much he's grown on and off the floor since he arrived here," NDC head coach Mark Richmond explained.
Teammate Tyland Crawford agreed:
"Proud of him! Well deserved! He played out of his mind the last month of our season. No surprise to me because he brings it everyday in practice," he said.
Ugwuakazi and the Falcons finished the 2022-23 season with the most wins in a season since 2018-19 (17.) most home wins since 2018-19 (10,) to go along with the teams first tournament victory since the 2018-19 season (both against West Virginia State.) Ugwuakazi was joined on the All-Tournament team by: Lual Rahama (Concord,) Sam Rolle (Davis& Elkins,) Freddie Word (Glenville State,) Isaiah Sanders (Fairmont State,) Zyon Dobbs (Fairmont State,) Steve Cannady (West Liberty) and Tournament Most Valuable Player Bryce Butler (West Liberty.) Sam Rolle received the Commisioner's Heart and Hustle Award.
MEC All-Tournament Team:
Lual Rahama (Concord)
Sam Rolle (Davis& Elkins)
Freddie Word (Glenville State)
Isaiah Sanders (Fairmont State)
Zyon Dobbs (Fairmont State)
Steve Cannady (West Liberty)
Obinna Ugwuakazi (NDC)
Bryce Butler (West Liberty)
Tournament MVP: Bryce Butler (West Liberty)
Commissioner's Heart and Hustle Award: Sam Rolle (Davis & Elkins)
MEC Tournament Opening Round:
MEC Tournament Quarterfinals:
MEC Semifinals:
MEC Finals:
NCAA Atlantic Region Games (Play Begins Saturday:)
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