The BC Bridges’ Richard Jean-Baptiste (St. John’s Prep/Queens, NY) added to his long list of accolades today as he was named 2007-2008 D3Hoops Atlantic Region Player of the Year.
    The All-Region teams were voted on by the sports information directors of the schools in each region.  Jean-Baptiste led the City University of New York Athletic Conference in scoring, averaging 22.8 points per game, while leading his team to a 21-7 season mark.
    Along with this award, Jean-Baptiste was also bestowed the CUNYAC Player of the Year award and was named conference player of the week four times.  In addition, Jean-Baptiste was twice named ECAC Metro Player of the Week and once earned a Presto/MBWA Player of the Week award.
    Jean-Baptiste was the only player from the CUNYAC selected on the region’s First Team, while Duane Rhoden (Lehman) and Vaughn Mason (John Jay) were selected to the Second Team and Omari Phipps (York) was selected Rookie of the Year.
     “I appreciate the recognition.  My teammates and I had a great season and I am glad it has not gone unnoticed.”
     A six-foot-4-inch forward who can rebound and block shots with the better post players in the conference, Jean-Baptiste separated his game by having a tremendous season from long distance range. He converted 60 of 138 points from three-point range on the season.   
     On two separate occasions during the post-season, Jean-Baptiste saw his team struggle and in each he scored more than 30 points to lead the Bridges to victory. In the first, the Bridges trailed Staten Island by 12 at halftime, 43-31. Jean-Baptiste, who had been held to five points during the first half, exploded for 27 points in the second half to lead his team to the 93-80 victory.
    The second comeback was on a bigger stage, as Brooklyn faced Rutgers-Newark in the ECAC Metro Quarterfinal. At the half, the Bridges were trailing by 43-31. Again, Jean-Baptiste had a miraculous second half scoring 25 points to lead his team to victory, while he had a 37-point new career high.
    A sophomore, Jean-Baptiste looks forward to improving and setting his sights on the possibility of a CUNYAC Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance.  
     “I thought we did some great things this season.” said Jean-Baptiste. “Next year our focus will be on winning a championship.”