While the Hostos men’s basketball team was able to overcome a tough Kingsborough Wave defense Friday afternoon to capture its first Region XV Tournament win in close to a decade, the team fell short in the semifinal game against the rival Sullivan Generals on Saturday. But despite falling short of a Region XV championship, the Caimans had a very successful 2013-14 campaign, including having several players on both the men’s and women’s teams named to the Region XV All-Star Teams.
 
Hostos sophomore forward/guard Tyree White was named Player of the Year, Dehaina Bailey was awarded Region XV Honorable mention, and Ian Dietzer was presented with the Sportsmanship Award. Melsha Messam and Mecca Norfleet were also chosen as Second Team All-Stars. And fellow Lady Caiman Marie McKenzie was named to the Sportsmanship Team.
"I am very proud of our student-athletes who continue to achieve great heights as part of our program! Nada es imposible!," said head men’s basketball coach Dr. Jody King.
 
White, the Caimans’ captain, leads the CUNY Athletic Conference and Region XV in points per game, field goal percentage (61 percent). White is also ranked in the top five in the region for rebounds and is second in the CUNYAC.  White is averaging 18.6 points per game, 11.2 rebounds, and is ranked 14th in the nation for rebounds per game. White is now the highest scoring Caiman ever with 819 points. He was also named to the Region XV All-Tournament Team. With White leading the way this season, the Caimans climbed as high as No. 3 in the NJCAA Division III rankings.
 
Bailey, a sophomore guard and forward, is a true leader and has been working hard on and off the court. He leads the Caimans in assists, averaging 4.2 per game. Bailey is second for the averaging 12.2 points per game. He is also ranked 3rd in the CUNYAC for his 78.05 percent free show shooting. Bailey excels in the classroom as well, and plans on pursuing a Ph.D. in Psychology.
 
Dietzer is a sophomore forward/center who has excelled in the classroom, while being the ultimate teammate. He has never missed a practice or a game and is always the first to arrive and the last to leave. Dietzer always has the right attitude on the court and continuously encourages his teammates to work harder and push themselves. Coach King said, "His willingness to take a lesser role on our team when he could start and play for most especially with his skill set at 6-foot 7-inches is a testament to Ian's true mettle."
 
Brooklyn native, Messam has been a consistent scorer and rebounder for the Caimans and was awarded Second-Team All-Star, for her second consecutive season. This season Messam continued to be a powerhouse for the Lady Caimans under the basket. Messam is second for the Caimans in points per game with 18.6, and she leads her team in rebounds with 13.1 per game. After graduation Messam intends to enroll at a four-year university and continue to play basketball. Coach Vilella said, “The talent and heart Melsha exudes is second to none. It has been a pleasure to coach a driven young lady like Melsha Messam and watching her grow as a student-athlete."
 
Norfleet has stood out as the new leader for the Lady Caimans. This will mark Norfleet's second All-Star Second-Team recognition for Region XV. Norfleet leads her team with 20 points per game, 3.3 assists per game, 2.2 rebounds per game, and is the top free throw shooter in the CUNY Athletic Conference, shooting 70 percent from the line. She has played through injuries and had an outstanding performance against the Suffolk Sharks scoring her season high of 43 points. Norfleet's hard work, devotion, and sportsmanship has been unmatched this season.
 
Coming over from the Caimans women’s volleyball team, McKenzie is a rebounding machine. She has continued to learn each and every day and has a great attitude, while supporting her teammates.
 
Watch Hostos men’s basketball coach Dr. Jody King talk about winning CUNYAC Coach of the Year at the CUNYAC All-Star Luncheon.

For more information about Hostos Athletics, go to www.hostosathletics.com

About Hostos Community College
Eugenio María de Hostos Community College is an educational agent for change that has been transforming and improving the quality of life in the South Bronx and neighboring communities since 1968. It serves as a gateway to intellectual growth and socioeconomic mobility, as well as a point of departure for lifelong learning, success in professional careers, and transfer to advanced higher education programs. The College’s unique "Student Success Coaching Unit" provides students with individualized guidance and exemplifies its emphasis on student support services.

Hostos offers 29 associate degree programs and five certificate programs that facilitate easy transfer to CUNY’s four-year colleges or baccalaureate studies at other institutions. The College has an award-winning Division of Continuing Education & Workforce Development that offers professional development courses and certificate-bearing workforce training programs. Hostos is part of The City University of New York (CUNY), the nation’s leading urban public university, which serves more than 480,000 students at 24 colleges.