Mohawk Valley Men's basketball headed into the 2023-2024 Playoffs with a #7 Seed and took on the #10 Seed, Finger Lakes Community College on Tuesday afternoon, in the opening round.
In Tuesdays game, Jalen Bradberry led the way for the Hawks with a 31 point 7 assist outing, as the Hawks outlasted the Lakers by a final score of 107-71. Tyruse Boock was also impressive in the victory as he put together a 19 points 9 assist effort on 8-10 shooting from the floor.
The victory notches the Hawks 3rd consecutive year with at least 1 postseason victory. Following the win, the Hawks cruised into the NJCAA Region 3 Quarterfinals where they would meet the Raiders of Fulton Montgomery Community College on the campus of Herkimer College. Coming into the game, the two teams split the regular season series, with the Hawks handing the Raiders by a final score of 76-60 in November, and the Raiders taking the game in Johnstown on a buzzer beating 3 in February.
The two locked horns early in the first half, as the Raiders came out hot and the Hawks were forced to fight back. The second half came down to the wire, and the Hawks held a 6 point lead with under 4 minutes to go, however some timely FM shooting sealed the victory for the Raiders, by a final score of 82-78.
"Region 3 is arguably the best NJCAA Division 3 region in the country for a reason. Pair that with the margin for error being so small in college basketball in February and March, and really every moment is highly competitive when the bright lights turn on in this Region. Mental, physical and emotional focus are all important things we talk about down the stretch of big games and I thought mentally as a group we lost focus for a few moments and that was the difference today unfortunately. FM is a really talented team and found a way to get it done and that is what March is about, so kudos to them and their program. As for this group, as I reflect, I think this will always be a what-if group that I look back on. We just couldn't get our group healthy all at the same time for a good stretch of time and that was really unfortunate but as they say thats the way the ball bounces sometimes. But as we look forward, I have loved coaching this entire group, and I can't wait to get all of my sophomore's situated at their 4 year schools after they graduate in May. They have all left their positive mark in one way or another on this program, whether it was being part of our NJCAA Elite 8 run last year or continuing to build on our program this season, I am proud to have coached each and every one of them." Coach Fuller said following the loss.