Harrison Named CCC Player of the Year, Four Other Golden Bears Claim End of the Year CCC Honors
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (February 28, 2023) – Western New England standout sophomore Jake Harrison has been named Commonwealth Coast Conference Player of the Year while four others pick up CCC recognition, including Tim Restall, Gavin Greene, Brian Geitner and Head Coach Colin Tabb.
Jake Harrison played in and made starts in 27 games this season for Western New England, averaging 17.1 points per game on the year, averaging 34.4 minutes per game while shooting 55.5% from the field. The sophomore ripped down 9.1 rebounds per game and dished 5.9 assists per game while also collecting 2.1 steals and 0.8 blocks per game, respectively. Harrison led Western New England in nearly every statistical category this season while also leading the CCC in total assists (158), assists per game (5.9), free throw attempts (194) and triple doubles (1). Harrison's 158 total assists on the season ranks ninth in the NCAA. The South Boston, Massachusetts native sees himself rank in the tops in all of NCAA Division III men's basketball in assists per game (17th), free throw attempts (6th), total free throws (13th), and triple doubles (2nd). Harrison becomes the first Golden Bear to win CC Player of the Year in the program's history.
Junior Tim Restall picks up All-CCC First Team accolades after averaging nearly a double-double this season. Restall picked up 16.2 points per game and averaged 9.9 rebounds per game for the Golden Bears over 28 games and 28 starts this season. The Tolland, Connecticut native scored in double figures in 24 of 28 games this season including nine 20+ point games. Restall dropped a career high 26 points this season at Curry College (February 4). Restall's rebound totals includes a career best 22 rebounds at Gordon College (February 18) while grabbing at least ten rebounds in 13 games during the year. Restall averaged 6.4 field goals made on the season, shooting 51.9 % from the field in 28 minutes per game. Restall's 276 rebounds ranks second in the conference and 20th in the nation while his 9.9 rebounds per game sits 42nd in all of Division III.
Junior Brian Geitner earned All-CCC Third Team accolades after putting together his second straight double digit scoring average season. Geitner averaged 12.7 points per game for the blue and gold, making and playing in all 28 games during the campaign. The junior set a new career high during the season with 24 points against Salve Regina University in an 82-67 victory. Geitner dropped at least ten points in 19 games during the year and shot 44.3% from the field. Geitner's three-point shooting ranks in the top ten of the conference, having knocked down 60 three-point shots during the season. The junior guard has scored 728 total points over his career with WNE.
Gavin Greene joins Geitner on the All-CCC Third Team after also dropping double figures this season while shooting at 60% from the field. Greene averaged 13.7 points per game during the 2022-2023 campaign and ranks just outside of the top 25 in the nation in shooting percentage from the field, though ranks second in the conference. Greene poured in a career best 383 points on the season while dropping 171 field goals.
Western New England Men's Basketball Head Coach Colin Tabb was named CCC Coach of the Year after guiding the Golden Bears to a 21-7 record and bringing WNE to their first ever Commonwealth Coast Conference Championship game this season. Tabb accumulated the most wins in program history since the 2006-2007 season and is now 13 wins away from 100 career wins with WNE. Tabb is the first Coach of the Year winner in the CCC for Western New England. Under the direction of Tabb, Western New England led the CCC in field goal percentage and assists per game and was second in the conference in total field goals made, free throws made, points per game, and offensive efficiency. Tabb has led Western New England to five straight playoff appearances.
The Golden Bears wrapped up their 2022-2023 season with a 21-7 overall record and a 14-4 record in conference play.
