Daytona State College Men’s Basketball Earns Title and Records Personal Accolades
Daytona State College captured its 4th straight Mid-Florida Conference title this past weekend with a win over Florida State College at Jacksonville. This win marks the programs 94th win since Head Coach Ryan Ridder took over the program in 2013. Ridder has recorded a conference championship for each year of his direction at the helm of the program.
As the Falcons closed out regular season play last Saturday, capturing the title, Daytona State seized more than just the championship title for the Mid-Florida Conference. They seized individual honors as well. With his fourth straight Mid-Florida Conference championship in the books and a season record of 24-6, Head Coach Ryan Ridder earned the prestigious title of Mid-Florida Conference Coach of the Year for his 4th straight year.
In addition to Ridder's honor as Coach of the Year, many Falcons earned personal accolades for their performances on the court this season. First team honors went to Nashad Mackey, Alston Jones, and Dinero Mercurius.
Mackey played in over 850 minutes for the Falcons this season, leading his team in time on the court. For the Falcons he averaged 15.1 points per game on the season, and 18.8 in conference play. Mackey is a force to be reckoned with on the boards as he averages three times as many boards as his next teammate statistically, averaging 14.4 rebounds per game in conference contests. His hustle, grit and commitment to his Daytona State College teammates earned him the highest honor of Mid-Florida Conference Player of the Year.
Mackey's teammate, Jones, was also represented on the 1st Team Mid-Florida Conference for his play this season. Jones averaged 17 points per game in conference and shot an impressive 45% from the 3-point arc throughout the season. Jones contributed significant minutes on the court for the Falcons this season.
Mercurius has been a key player in the Falcon's lineup this season. Mercurius averaged 18.4 points per game during conference play. Mercurius is a playmaker for the Falcons and brings maturity and consistency to the program, shooting around 40% from both the field and from 3-point range. Mercurius suffered an injury the sidelined him for a couple weeks and his absence was evident in the Falcon's lineup. It is safe to say Mercurius is back and contributing at a high level to the Falcon's success after recording 17 points in the Falcon's dramatic win over Florida State College at Jacksonville last Saturday.
In addition to 1st Team Mid-Florida Conference accolades, Daytona State College also earned recognition for Mark Gordon, Maxwell Benoit, Jefferson Coulanges, Greg Zuppas, and Rashaard Pringle on Mid-Florida Conference's 2nd Team. Gordon finished the season averaging just over 11 points per game and 5 rebounds per contest. Benoit was a hot hand for the Falcons from the 3-point arc, averaging 40% from 3-point range and 9.9 points per game. Coulanges added an additional 9.5 points game for Daytona State. Zuppas and Pringle also contribute to the Falcons, playing over 20 minutes a contest. Zuppas averages 9 points per game, while Pringle adds 7 points an outing.
The Falcons have closed the chapter on the regular season and have shifted gears setting their sights on the Region 8 Tournament that will tip off next week with the Falcons taking on Broward College.