MMA star Clement is state’s best

Maine Maritime Academy’s Matt Clement was named the Player of the Year by the Maine College Basketball Coaches and Writers Association.

Joe Reilly of Bates College in Lewiston was named the Coach of the Year. Mike Stallings of St. Joseph’s in Standish was the Rookie of the Year.

Clement, a former Lawrence of Fairfield star, led the Mariners to a 15-10 record. He averaged 22.3 points and 15.9 rebounds per game and shot 58.6 percent from the floor. He was also named the North Atlantic Conference Player of the Year.

The Bobcats were 18-8 under Reilly this year, tying the school record for wins in a season, and got to the NESCAC semifinals. Stallings averaged 17.3 points, 3.3 assists and 2.2 steals per game, leading the Monks in those categories.

Clement also landed on the first team with Brian Gerrity and Ramon Garcia of Bates, Dwayne Ailey of Husson, Bayi Handy of UMaine-Machias and Bowdoin’s Kyle Petrie.

Stallings made the second team along with Patrick McGowan of Colby, Jason Levecque of Southern Maine and Bartas Samaitas of UMaine-Fort Kent.

The all-rookie team was made up of Stallings, Zak Ray of Bates, Kevin Bradley of Bowdoin, John Codrey of UMaine-Presque Isle, Marc McCorrison of Maine Maritime, and Husson’s Bill Beauregard.