Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School graduate Hillary Klimowicz and Metuchen High School graduate Marqus Blakely will be among those honored at the New Jersey Sports Writers Association's 74th anniversary banquet Jan. 31.

Blakely, who is a two-time America East Conference Player of the Year for the 

University of Vermont men's basketball team, is in the midst of another big season, averaging 17.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, 3.0 steals and 2.3 blocks per game for the Catamounts. The senior forward sparked Vermont to a victory at Rutgers last month.

 

A two-time honorable mention All-American, Blakely broke out as a sophomore as he led the America East in points (19.0), rebounds (11.0) and blocks (2.7). The last player to do that was the late Reggie Lewis of Northeastern and later the Boston Celtics.

As a junior, Blakely led the Catamounts in points (16.9), rebounds (9.0), blocks (88)and steals (67) and ranked eighth in the nation in field goal percentage (.610).

Just the sixth person in league history to earn the Player of the Year distinction twice, Blakely also was named Defensive Player of the Year both times. He is the nation's only returning two-time conference player of the year. 

CLICK HERE for complete article.