Clark Deemed OEC Offensive Player of the Year, Taylor & McQuay Earn All-Conference Honors
The Riverside City College men's basketball team is one win away from reaching the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) state championships after defeating No. 10 seeded Mt. San Jacinto College on Friday night. In the midst of all the excitement, the Tigers saw three players earned Orange Empire Conference (OEC) All-Conference accolades. Sophomore guard CJ Clark was named the Offensive Player of the Year, while sophomore Otto Taylor earned First-Team All-Conference laurels and sophomore forward Franky McQuay reeled in Second-Team All-Conference accolades.
Clark was deemed the most effective and dynamic offensive player this season. He accomplished the feat of being named the Offensive Player of the Year by displaying a knack for scoring in numerous ways. Clark started in all 12 conference contests and ranked tied for secondin the league in scoring with a mark of 16.9 points-per-game. He landed in double-digit scoring in all but one conference contest highlighted by a career-high 38 points in an overtime victory against Copper Mountain. He scored 20 or more points in five conference games leading to four wins. Clark scored in various ways with the ability to attack the basket and hit from beyond the arc. He carted a 34.6 three point shooting percentage (28-for-77) in conference play encompassed in a 41.3 shooting percentage from the floor as a whole. His ball distribution was equally as impressive. He dished out 57 assists highlighted by a nine-assist game in a victory over Orange Coast.
Taylor burst on to the scene as the sharp shooter for the Tigers and only got better as the season progressed. Taylor carted a team-best 45.7 three point shooting percentage in conference which ranked second overall in the OEC. He was automatic from long range as he only fell below 30 percent from distance twice in conference play. In a victory over Orange Coast, Taylor snapped the RCC single game record from three pointers made in a game as he went 9-for-13 from distance. He landed in double-digit scoring in nine conference game highlighted by a 30-point outburst in the victory over Orange Coast.
McQuay earns his first All-Conference accolade in his second and final season with the Tigers. McQuay was the intangible king as he was a key contributor on both ends of the hardwood. McQuay thrived on the board as he earned a 7.9 rebound-per-game mark. He landed in double-digit rebounds three times on the season and earned five or more rebounds in all but one conference contest. He nearly averaged an assists a game in conference highlighted by a four assist night in a win over Orange Coast. Offensively, he came up with big buckets in big moments. He recorded three triple-doubles in conference highlighted by a 17 points, 12 rebound effort in a road win against Copper Mountain. He landed in double-digit scoring in all but two conference showdowns.
For more information on the three honorees, please visit www.rccathletics.com.