SUNY Poly senior Gregory earns NAC top basketball honor

SUNY Poly senior forward Josh Gregory, a Whitesboro High School graduate, has been selected as the North Atlantic Conference Men’s Basketball Player of the Year.

In NAC competition, Gregory shot 50.3% from the field, 78% from the free throw line, and 41.1% from three-point range to average 20.5 points per game.

SUNY Poly is 16-9 overall this season and is set to play in an NAC West Division quarterfinal game against SUNY Canton on Friday.

Gregory, who is listed at 6-foot-6 and 200 pounds, had a conference-leading 96 defensive grabs and averaged 9.3 in 25 games.

An all-around player, Gregory also tallied 30 assists, 13 steals, and 17 blocks against NAC opponents. Overall, Gregory led the league with 531 points (21.1 points per game), 231 total rebounds, 194 defensive rebounds, 185 field goals and 114 free throws.

Utica men’s hockey playoff tickets available

UTICA — Tickets for Utica’s United Collegiate Hockey Conference quarterfinal game are on sale at the Adirondack Bank Center Bank center box office.

The Pioneers are scheduled to begin the UCHC postseason with a game at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Adirondack Bank Center.

Season-ticket holders have their seats reserved and can purchase their reserved playoff seats through the Aud Box Office until 10 a.m. Monday, according to the school. Reserved seat vouchers are available in season ticket booklet. If seats are not claimed by Monday, those tickets will be released for purchase by the general public, the school said.

To purchase tickets to Tuesday’s quarterfinal, visit the Aud box office during business hours. Tickets can also be purchased at EmpireStateTix.com. Ticket prices are $8 for adults and $4 for students with valid Utica ID, the school said.

The top-seeded Pioneers -- who are ranked No. 2 in the most recent US College Hockey Online poll, locked up a fifth consecutive UCHC regular season title last weekend. The team led by coach Gary Heenan will have home ice throughout the conference postseason as the team tries to earn a third conference title.