Kutztown's Micah Fraction (left) and Clarion's Winfield Willis (right).
PSAC Men's Basketball Athletes of the Week - 1
Lock Haven, Pa. - A pair of strong debuts headline the first PSAC PSAC Men's Basketball Athletes of the Week of the 2011-12 season.
Clarion freshman Winfield Willis led the team in scoring in the team's first game of the season en route to being named PSAC West Men's Basketball Athlete of the Week. In the East, Kutztown's Micah Fraction recorded a double-double in his opening game to secure Athlete of the Week Honors. California's Tynell Fortune was named as the PSAC West Freshman of the Week, while East Stroudsburg's Whis Grant took home the award for the East.
PSAC West Athlete of the Week
Winfield Willis - Clarion
Fr., G Baltimore, Md. / St. Paul's
Willis averaged 23.5 points, three rebounds, and three assists during the week to help the Golden Eagles to a 1-1 start to their season. In the opening game of the season against Virginia Union, Willis scored 28 points, which was the most by a Clarion player in a season-opener since Kwame Morton scored 30 in 1993. He was also 12-12 from the foul line in the loss. In the following game, the freshman added 19 points, three rebounds and three assists in the victory over Lincoln.
PSAC West Freshman of the Week
Tynell Fortune - California
Fr., G Harlem, N.Y. / Pocono Mountain West
Fortune averaged 7.5 points and two rebounds off the bench to spark California to a 2-0 start on the season. In the opening game of the season, Fortune scored 13 points and hit 3-of-4 from beyond the arc in the win over Lincoln. The freshman earned a starting spot in the following game against Virginia Union, where he helped the Vulcans to their first 2-0 start since the 2006-07 season.
PSAC East Athlete of the Week
Micah Fraction - Kutztown
Jr., G Macungie, Pa. / Montrose Christian
Fraction recorded a double-double in his debut for Kutztown last week. The junior transfer scored 18 points and added 10 assists to help the Bears win their opener against Philadelphia. Fraction also went 11-14 from the foul line, including six of Kutztown's seven points in the final minute.
PSAC East Freshman of the Week
Whis Grant - East Stroudsburg
Fr., G Plymouth Meeting, PA / Plymouth Whitemarsh
Grant poured in 30 points in his career debut as ESU narrowly lost to No. 6 West Liberty last week. The freshman also registered three rebounds, six assists, and two steals in the game. In the loss to Charleston, Grant added 11 points, one rebound, four assists, and two steals. For his efforts, Grant was named to the all-tournament team at the Shippensburg tournament.
Note: Weekly team notes will start next week