MBB's Ford Garners NECC Rookie of the Year, First Team Honors

ATTLEBORO, Mass. – Mitchell College sophomore Joshua Ford was named New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) Rookie of the Year for the sport of men's basketball, as announced by the conference on Monday afternoon.

Ford also earned one of five spots on the NECC All-Conference First Team, becoming the first Mitchell men's basketball player to earn that distinction in the four-year history of the league. He led the NECC in rebounding (12.4 rpg) and ranked among the conference leaders in points (14.9 ppg), steals (2.2 spg), assists (2.9 apg), blocks (0.8 bpg) and field goal percentage (.455).

"Josh had an outstanding year for us, and his level of play seemed to reach new heights each game," said Mitchell head coach Todd Peretz. "As the season progressed he encountered more challenges from opposing teams and continued to deliver in all facets of the game. His best basketball is still yet to come."

One of the most consistent players in the NECC, Ford scored in double digits in 14 of 16 conference games. The first-year forward also grabbed 10 or more rebounds in 12 contests and finished with a season-high 19 against Lesley University. 

Ford played a major role with the Mariners all season long. He appeared in all 23 games and made 19 starts while leading the team in scoring, rebounding, steals and blocks. His 11 double-doubles were the most in the NECC, and he finished the regular season ranked sixth in the country in rebounding.

Ford was a four-time NECC Rookie of the Week selection during the regular season, the most by any player in the conference. He becomes the second player in school history to be tabbed NECC Rookie of the Year following Tim Quinn's selection in 2011.

All awards are determined by a vote of the conference's head coaches. NECC member institutions include Becker College, Daniel Webster College, Elms College, Lesley University, Mitchell College, Newbury College, Regis College, Southern Vermont College and Wheelock College.

Mitchell ended the 2011-12 season with an overall record of 5-18 and finished 3-13 in NECC play.


2011-12 NECC Men's Basketball All-Conference Teams

PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Terrance Favors, Becker (Sr, F - Boston, Mass.)

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Joshua Ford, Mitchell (So, F - Jersey City, N.J.)

COACH OF THE YEAR
Brian Gorman, Becker

TEAM SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD
Regis College

FIRST TEAM
Terrance Favors, Becker  (Sr, F - Boston, Mass.)
Joshua Ford, Mitchell (So, F - Jersey City, N.J.)
Andre French, Elms (Jr, G - Torrington, Conn.)
Taeshon Johnson, Southern Vt. (Jr, G - Charlotte, N.C.)
John Sanchez, Lesley (Sr, G - Carson, Calif.)

SECOND TEAM
Daris Cosby, Daniel Webster (So, F - Albany, N.Y.)
Max Kaim, Wheelock (Sr, G - Fort Lauderdale, FL)
Rajai Leggett, Becker (Sr, F - New Haven, Conn.)
Eric Rice, Wheelock (Sr, C - Woburn, MA)
Steve Rosemond, Newbury (So, G - Everett, Mass.)

HONORABLE MENTION
Jerome Cohen, Becker (Fr, C - Boston, Mass.)
Bashir Hudson, Wheelock (Jr, G/F - Jamaica Plain, MA)
Osanto Marc, Regis (Fr, G - Kissimmee, Fla.)
David McDaniel, Elms (Jr, F - Plainfield, N.J.)
Kyle Pierce, Wheelock (Sr, G - Burlington, MA)
Tim Young, Newbury (Jr, G - Brockton, Mass.)