Brockport Basketball drives through to a new season

The Brockport Golden Eagles basketball enter this new season looking to prove a point. Last year marked their eighth consecutive year of reaching SUNYAC tournament semifinals. Ultimately, they fell short on the road against Cortland and failed to make it back to SUNYAC championship. This season the Golden Eagles look to go further than before.

Greg Dunne is now in his sixteenth season as the Golden Eagles basketball head coach. He has led the program to three SUNYAC championships, the most recent coming in the 2020 season. He has a program now that year in and year out is at the top of the SUNYAC competing for big things. With a roster filled with returning talent there is no doubt they are in contention for another championship year. Especially with their two leading scorers in Jahidi Wallace and Mehki Beckett returning and showing out again.

“We have our big players and Jahidi Wallace and Mehki Beckett really lead us out there,” Dunne said.

Wallace returns off of another first team all SUNYAC conference selection. A senior that was part of the 2020 SUNYAC championship team he brings leadership on top of his skill.

Beckett returns from a freshman season that earned him SUNYAC rookie of the year. He has taken another step forward in his sophomore season, leading the team in scoring. His improved efforts on the defensive side have also shined on the court.

“I’m just trying to be more effective and efficient; my coaches told me to play defense at a high level and rebound and pretty much do everything at both ends of the floor,” Beckett said.

He has certainly earned the respect of his coaches through his work on the court. In their road game against Buffalo State, he played all forty minutes on the floor. Helping them earn a big conference win and praise from Dunne.

“That might be the first time in my coaching career a guy has played forty minutes,” Dunne said.

Another player getting things done by leading the team in rebounds and assists is sophomore Tony Arnold. A transfer student in January of last season, he is looking to continue his growth.

“I want to try and make the best play possible every time, you can’t play a perfect game but it’s something I want to take pride in,” Arnold said.

This team knows they won’t ever be perfect, but they look to learn through their losses as well as the wins. It’s through these hardships and struggles that they look to grow and work harder to achieve their goals.

“We’re confident about where we are but we know there is a lot of work to do…we’re learning from the losses and growing,” Arnold said.

The team will continue to fight throughout the season and look to improve on their already impressive skills. As one of the top teams in the SUNYAC they know that opponents won’t take them lightly. With their mix of experience, leadership and raw talent. There is no doubt the Golden Eagles have what it takes to compete with anyone on the court.