Kelly Named First Team As OCCAC Announces Postseason Men's Basketball Awards

James Kelly throws down a left handed dunk off a pass in the district championship game against Lakeland Community College. The sophomore earned First Team All-OCCAC honors en route to helping the Express capture the district title. Photo by Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information
James Kelly throws down a left handed dunk off a pass in the district championship game against Lakeland Community College. The sophomore earned First Team All-OCCAC honors en route to helping the Express capture the district title. Photo by Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information
Posted: Mar 13, 2013

By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information

Toledo, OH---James Kelly headlined a group of four Express men's basketball players to earn All-Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC) honors.

Kelly, a 6-8 sophomore forward, was selected First Team All-OCCAC. He led the league in scoring (21.1 ppg) and rebounding (11.4 rpg). Additionally, he was third in blocked shots (1.6 bpg), fourth in the league in steals (2.3 spg). 

On Jan. 16, Kelly recorded a triple-double against Cuyahoga Community College with 30 points, 12 rebounds, 10 steals, two blocks and one assist. He recorded a double-double in the team's first eight OCCAC games and 10 of the 12 games overall. He earned the OCCAC Player of the Week honor three times, and was the NJCAA D-II National Player of the Week once.

Kelly scored at least 20 points in seven of those 12 games and his worst game was a 12 point, 10 rebound, two block game against Cuyahoga on Feb. 6. In that game, however, he had a dunk that ended up being featured on ESPN Sportscenter's Top 10.

Freshman point guard Joe Retic II earned Second Team All-OCCAC honors. He averaged 13.1 points, 5.8 assists and 1.5 steals per game. His scoring average was 15th best in the OCCAC and his assist average was third best in the OCCAC.

Sophomore guard Franklin Lindsey and freshman guard Tony Boykins earned Honorable Mention All-OCCAC honors. 

Lindsey averaged 10.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and one assist per game in OCCAC play, while Boykins averaged 11.5 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game.

The Express men's basketball team just missed sharing an OCCAC championship with a 10-2 record. Lakeland won it with an 11-3 record. The Express, however, captured the district championship with wins over Cincinnati State in the semifinals and Lakeland in the finals.

They will now move on to the NJCAA D-II National Tournament March 19-23. Their first game is against No. 11 Iowa Lakes Community College on March 19 at 11 a.m. You can watch the game live online by visiting the tournament's website here