F&M sophomore Alex Kraft (Lansdale, PA / Lansdale Catholic), who is fourth in the Conference in scoring (15.6) and third in field goal percentage (54.9), was named the 2000 Centennial Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year in balloting by the 10 head coaches. Kraft, a 6-5 forward, led the Diplomats to their second consecutive West Division championship and third straight playoff appearance. A second-team All-Centennial choice in 1999, he is third in the CC in three-point field goal percentage (43.9) and sixth in free throw percentage (79.8). Kraft also leads the Diplomats in rebounding (5.2 rpg) and assists (49). He is the fourth F&M player to receive Player of the year honors, following in the footsteps of Dave Jannetta '94-95 and Jeremiah Henry '96.

Joining Kraft on the first-team frontcourt are Ursinus junior Richie Barrett (Buckingham, PA / Central Bucks East) and Muhlenberg sophomore Mark Lesko (Scranton, PA / West Scranton). Barrett is third in the Conference in scoring (17.3) and rebounding (8.3), while leading the CC in steals (2.3). It is the second straight first-team nod for Barrett, who becomes the seventh player in the Conference's history to earn a first-team selection twice. Lesko led the Mules to their third straight East Division crown. He leads the CC in rebounding (9.1), is second in blocked shots (2.36), fifth in scoring (13.7) and sixth in field goal percentage (53.8).

The backcourt is occupied by a pair of juniors, as the entire first unit is comprised of underclassmen. Washington junior Greg Adams (Toms River, NJ / Toms River North) moves up from honorable mention in 1999. He is second in the CC in scoring (17.9) and 10th in assists (2.44), while also placing seventh in steals (1.44) and eighth in free throw percentage (76.7). Ursinus junior Luther Owens (Trenton, NJ / Trenton) leads the Conference in assists (4.56), is second in free throw percentage (83.1) and steals (2.24), and is 12th in scoring (11.8).

The Centennial Conference playoffs continue on Wednesday night at two sites. Muhlenberg (16-8) plays host to Johns Hopkins (17-7) at 8 p.m., while Franklin & Marshall (19-5) hosts Washington (13-12) for a 7:30 start. The winners will meet Saturday at a campus site to be determined. If F&M defeats Washington, the title game will be in Lancaster. Otherwise, the championship tilt will be held at the winner of the Johns Hopkins-Muhlenberg game.

2000 All-Centennial Conference Men's Basketball Team

First Team
Name					Cl / Ht		Hometown/High School
F-Richie Barrett, Ursinus *		Jr / 6-6	Buckingham, PA / Central Bucks East
F-Alex Kraft, Franklin & Marshall +	So / 6-5	Lansdale, PA / Lansdale Catholic
F-Mark Lesko, Muhlenberg		So / 6-6	Scranton, PA / West Scranton
G-Greg Adams, Washington #		Jr / 6-0	Toms River, NJ / Toms River North
G-Luther Owens, Ursinus			Jr / 6-1	Trenton, NJ / Trenton

Second Team
Name					Cl / Ht		Hometown / High School
F-Joel Wertman, Johns Hopkins *		Sr / 6-6	Poland, OH / Poland Seminary
F-Bill Davidson, Gettysburg *		Sr / 6-4	Lebanon, PA / Annville-Cleona
G-Jerome Maiatico, Frank. & Marshall %	Sr / 6-2	Catasauqua, PA / Catasauqua
G-Mike Ritacco, Franklin & Marshall	Sr / 6-3	Toms River, NJ / Toms River North
G-Jake Stroman, Johns Hopkins		Sr / 6-3	Syracuse, NY / Bishop Ludden


Honorable Mention
Name					Cl / Ht		Hometown / High School
F-Matthew Eisley, Johns Hopkins		So / 6-6	Belle Vernon, PA / Belle Vernon


*	1st-team All-Centennial in 1999
+	2nd-team All-Centennial in 1999
#	Honorable Mention All-Centennial in 1999
%	1st-team All-Centennial in 1998


Player of the Year: Alex Kraft, Franklin & Marshall