It was quite a turnaround for the Centenary men’s basketball team this season and the Atlantic East Conference took notice. Kenneth Rankin was named to the All-Conference First team and head coach Chris LaBelle and his staff were named as the Coaching Staff of the Year. Rankin, who played at Ewing , averaged 14.6 points per game, 5.3 rebounds and his scoring ability has been a constant presence in every matchup. “He was our best player on offense and our best player on defense,’’ said LaBelle. “He came back a brand new player. He was the anchor on everything we did on both ends of the floor this year. I’m so proud that he got first team all-conference and the conference recognized the work he put in.’’ These impressive statistics not only showcase Rankin’s all-around game, but also highlight his crucial role in the Cyclones’ 9-win improvement from the previous season. His leadership and consistency on the floor have helped elevate Centenary to new heights and earned him the recognition he deserves as a First-Team All-Conference selection. The Cyclones were 2-23 in the 2023-24 season and this year, LaBelle’s second as head coach, they were 11-15. LeBelle played at Trenton Catholic Academy and had a record setting career as a player at Centenary. After a challenging season last year, LaBelle and his staf f—including Nick LaBelle, Kyle O’Brien, Tyler Clark, Jake McMullan and Michael Young — worked tirelessly to help the Cyclones improve dramatically. “It was an awesome season and one that was really fun to be a part of,’’ said LaBelle. “I have to give all the credit to the guys in the locker room. A lot of these guys could’ve mailed it in last year and the didn’t and they used this summer to get better. As a team we really came together, they wanted to work and they wanted to win.’’ The improvements under LaBelle’s leadership was evident on both ends of the floor. The ability of LaBelle and his staff to adapt and adjust throughout the season, coupled with their dedication to player development, was instrumental in the team’s success. Other local players for the Cyclones: Naire Preston (Ewing) averaged 12.0 points, Justin Carbone (South Brunswick/TCNJ/Mercer) averaged 10.7 points, Darnelle Forrest (Ewing) averaged 9.7 points, Domenic Raymond (Nottingham), Jack Martin (Bordentown) and Avery Cannato (Steinert) all saw time. Jones A-10 Rookie of the Year Deuce Jones (Trenton resident/TCPA/Bishop Eustace/College Achieve Charter) capped his freshman season at La Salle by being named Atlantic-10 Rookie of the Year. Jones earned seven A-10 Player of the Week awards, the most in program history, and became the first Rookie of the Year for the Explorers since 2004. He led the league in both points and assists per game by a freshman, with 12.5 and 2.7, respectively. La Salle finished 14-19 overall and 5-13 in the A-10 this season. It won a first-round game at the A-10 Tournament over Fordham, but both its season and the career of legendary Big 5 coach Fran Dunphy ended with a loss to St. Joseph’s in a second-round game. Sorber Named All-Big East and All-Rookie Thomas Sorber (Trenton resident/Archbishop Wood) was named to the All-Big East third team from Georgetown he was selected to the All-Rookie team. Sorber was a seven0time Big East Rookie of the Week. Reilly Named Attack Player of the Week Allison Reilly (Pennsbury) recorded 14 points on seven goals and seven assists to lead Army West Point to a 2-0 week, with wins over Fairfield (18-10) and Boston University (18-8). The junior attack posted five points on four goals and one assist to go with four draws and one ground ball in the Black Knights’ 18-8 win over Boston University in their League opener. She recorded a game-high nine points on three goals and six assists to go with three draw controls and one caused turnover against Fairfield. Tiroly Paces Broncs  Joe Tiroly (Pennsbury) had quite a three-game series for Rider against St. Peter’s. The sophomore was 5-for-13, with 11 runs scores and 11 runs batted in and he slugged a home run. Tiroly is batting .410 on the season. *** Baseball: Ricky Erbeck (Hun) has made three mound appearances for Hun and has allowed one run. …Caleb Kempler (Notre Dame) has pitched 15 innings for Marist and has a 1-1 record with 19 strikeouts. …Andrew Rubayo (Peddie) has a 1-0 record in four appearances for Quinnipi9ac. Men’s Lacrosse: Luke Okupski (Notre Dame) and John Okupski (Lawrenceville) each had a  pair of goals for Fairfield in a win over UMass-Lowell. …Robert Simone (Lawrenceville) received Honorable Mention in the Patriot League Player of the Week after the West Point sophomore logged a .677 faceoff win percentage and picked up eight ground balls in No. 5 Army West Point’s 17-4 win over Holy Cross. Softball: Quinn McGonigle (Pennsbury) is batting .360 for Fairfield. …Allison Hoppe (Bordentown) pitched seven innings, striking out four to get the win Iona against Central Connecticut State. …Ashley Giampolo (Notre Dame) is batting .300 for Siena. Women’s Basketball: Reese Zemetis (Neshaminy) had 13 points and eight rebounds for Bucknell in a Patriot League Tournament win over Colgate. Women’s Lacrosse: Kate Becker (Princeton) had three goals, including the game-winner, as Amherst had a win over Hamilton. The junior added four ground balls and two caused two turnovers. …Eva Petrone (Princeton) had three caused turnovers, two draw controls and two ground balls for Fairfield in a game with Denver. …Alyssa Castellano (Allentown) scored three goals when Iona faced Rider. ...read more read less