Press "Enter" to skip to content

Basketball Athletes Earn NEC Pre-Season Awards

By Lexi DeLorimiere, Staff Writer

The Long Island University Basketball teams are working hard despite the challenges brought on by the pandemic. Ty Flowers and Brandy Thomas received All-NEC awards going into the playing season. While this isn’t the first time being awarded, both players are still grateful and excited about the upcoming season.

Flowers, a Redshirt Senior, is a key component to the Men’s team. He started all 32 games last season and set career highs in scoring, blocks, rebounds and assists. “I’ve gotten an award every year I’ve been here but this one means a little more because it’s a First Team, and in the past years, it’s been Second or Third Team,” Flowers said.   

Brandy Thomas, a Junior on the Women’s team, has earned other NEC awards in her years at LIU, but All-NEC means even more to her. “I’m grateful for being named preseason All-NEC, but it just makes me feel very humble. I really want to get a ring for my team this year, so I’m happy to receive the award, but it’s not about me,” Thomas said. She started 25 games and was ranked second in the NEC in rebounding last season. 

The Northeast Conference announced the 2020-21 basketball schedules with COVID-19 modifications. They will keep an 18-game regular season, and travel games will be played on back-to-back days against the same opponent at the same site. Along with that, the NEC will mirror the Men’s and Women’s schedules.

Undoubtedly, both players are excited and eager to get the season underway. Flowers’ goals for the season are to be named Player of the Year and win the championship. “We just want to take our competition to the next level. You can’t do that without playing games, so we’re just trying to get out there and play. We’re excited and Hungry,” Flowers said.  

Thomas is looking forward to getting back on the court with her team and has goals to get a championship ring this year. “It’s just excitement. Being happy with wins, when we win, and even the downfalls when we lose, just being with the team, and getting that feeling and adrenaline back from playing,” Thomas said. 

Conference play will begin on Dec. 8, with each team playing three or four times in December. After the holiday break, the NEC schedule will resume on Jan. 7.

Be First to Comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *