HIGH 5 OF THE WEEK: Damian Grant earns GNAC weekly top player honor

Damian Grant was named the Great Northeast Athletic Conference Player of the Week following his tremendous performance in the GNAC Tournament final.

The Albertus Magnus College junior and former Wilby standout scored 21 points and grabbed eight rebounds in his team’s 81-77 victory over the University of Saint Joseph last Saturday. He had one steal and one blocked shot in 29 minutes played. Grant was an awesome 9-of-13 from the floor against the Blue Jays, who were coached by UConn legend Jim Calhoun.

Grant had two big baskets in the final 1:18 of the game, extending the Falcon lead from one point to five points in the process. His efforts helped Albertus Magnus close the win and earn a spot in the NCAA Division III tournament.

Jaekwon Spencer, Nichols College basketball

The former Bristol Central star was named Commonwealth Coast Conference Rookie of the Week following a big effort in the tournament semifinal round.

Spencer came up with a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds in Nichols’ 87-79 semifinal win over Western New England University. Spencer’s effort off of the bench helped the Bison come back and beat the Golden Bears. Nichols went on to beat Gordon College and clinch a NCAA Division III tournament berth.

Ashley Elder, Southern New Hampshire indoor track and field

Elder has had an incredible senior season with the Penmen, and now she will compete against the top throwers in the country.

The former Bristol Central multi-sport athlete was one of 19 Northeast-10 athletes to qualify for the NCAA Division II Indoor Track and Field championships, which will be held March 8-9 in Pittsburg, Kansas. Elder qualified in the shot put.

Elder will be one of 20 participants nationally to compete in the shot put. She qualified with a throw of 15.13m, or nearly 49’8″.

Terrell Patterson, Southern Connecticut State indoor track and field

This former Kaynor Tech standout has had a great sophomore season for the Owls, and he’ll have a chance to compete against the best in the country.

Patterson was one of 19 Northeast-10 athletes to qualify for the NCAA Division II Indoor Track and Field championships, which will be held March 8-9 in Pittsburg, Kansas. Patterson qualified to run in the mile.

Patterson will be one of 16 runners nationally to compete in the mile. He qualified with a time of 4:08.14.

D.J. Jarrett, Post University basketball

NVL teams knew what it was like to encounter this former Kennedy sharpshooter when he was on with his shooting. It was usually not a fun night.

The same could nearly be said for Felician University on Feb. 20. The Golden Falcons escaped with a 91-87 comeback win over the Eagles, but Jarrett did what he could to prevent it from happening. Jarrett struck for a career-high 32 points on 11-of-20 shooting. The 11-of-20 is impressive, then add in that nine of those makes came from three-point range on 15 attempts from behind the arc.

It was a wild night for Jarrett, who added six rebounds and two steals in 27 minutes of play.

Statistics, headshot photos and information compiled from the team website of each athlete.