Led by guard Ben Bartoldus '14, the men's basketball team won the Eastern College Athletic Conference Tournament last Sunday. Bartoldus was named the tournament's most valuable player for his efforts. Bartoldus averaged 8.6 points per game on 42.4-percent shooting over the first 21 games of his rookie campaign. At the ECACs, Bartoldus averaged 11.3 points per game and shot 68.4 percent from the field.

Bartoldus has been one of several first years who have contributed this year. The 6-foot-2 guard attended Proctor Academy in Andover, N.H. where he was a candidate for All-American honors in his senior year.

"It was a very competitive league and required very good performances night in and night out," he said. "Proctor was great for me, I had a great coaching staff and was surrounded by great people. My high school basketball experiences were great and unforgettable."

He also ran cross country and played baseball at Proctor, but basketball was always his favorite sport.

"My family is a big basketball family, and I don't remember a time when a basketball wasn't in my hand," he said.

Although the team did not qualify for the NCAA Tournament, Bartoldus said that he has enjoyed his first year at Brandeis.

"I love Brandeis so far," he said. "I am surrounded by the best teammates anyone could ever ask for. Our team chemistry on and off the floor is great; I love it. Our coaching staff is great too, couldn't ask for a better coaching staff; they are serious when it comes game time but can relax and joke around with you during downtime."

With the team's season now finished, Bartoldus said that he is optimistic about next year.

"I am looking forward to next season and ready to put in a lot of off-season work this summer," Bartoldus said.