Monday, March 3, 2008
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Chanze Wellington |
Christina Baxter |
Wellington and Baxter Climb into the Record Books
DOBBS FERRY, NY - Senior guard Chanze Wellington (Spring Valley, NY) and junior guard Christina Baxter (Greenwood Lake, NY) have both joined the ranks of the all-time elite Mavericks by reaching the 1,000 points scored milestone against St. Thomas Aquinas College on February 23. Each have enjoyed tremendous collegiate careers and now will have a place in the Mercy College record books.
Wellington, a criminal justice major, finished with 1,021 career points, good for 10th place all-time at Mercy. Baxter, who aspires to work in law enforcement, has 1,045 career points, already moving her into 15th place all-time.
Both student-athletes have proven to be very cerebral basketball players and are usually thinking about creating plays for their teammates. However, they have the ability to create shots for themselves and subsequently lead their respective team in points and assists.
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"He is the most intelligent player I have ever coached," said head basketball coach Tony Staffiere about Wellington. "Everything he says has a purpose and rarely is he wrong."
Wellington had to overcome some adversity to reach 1,000 points. During his sophomore season, he suffered an injury that forced him to miss eight games. This year Wellington played in an offense with more opportunities to take shots and check off to his teammates than in the past.
"I think this is the best season I've had. Everyone had the same goal in mind and we really came together as a team," Wellington said.
This season Wellington averaged 12.3 points per game and led the team in three-pointers made with 70. Recently, he was named East Coast Conference (ECC) Men's Basketball Player of the Week and earned a spot on the PrestoSports/MBWA Honor Roll. In Wellington's junior campaign, he was second on the team in scoring (10.6 PPG) and first in assists (2.2 APG). He also led the team in three-pointers made with 45. Wellington was named to the ECC All-Academic team as well.
As a sophomore he played in 18 games and averaged 10.1 points per game which was good for third on the team. Despite his injury, he trailed by just one three-pointer in leading the team. Wellington is also seventh all-time in assists with 241 and eighth in steals with 128.This has all amounted to a collegiate career that has many highlights.
Wellington also performs well in the classroom. "At the same time I've got to be good on the court so I try to do well in the classroom," said Wellington. "Both aspects are important because we are student-athletes. Being a good student-athlete is the best leader I can be."
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Baxter, who scored a career-high 30 points against Adelphi (2/13/08), has surpassed all expectations and become an athlete with a wide array of talents. Not only does Baxter lead the team this season in scoring (15.7 PPG) and in assists (5.5 APG), but she also leads the team in steals (51), and field goals and free throws made. She was also named to the PrestoSports/MBWA Honor Roll three times this season.
In her sophomore season, she led the team in scoring with 13.8 points per game and in assists with 4.0 per game. As a freshman she was third in scoring with 11.1 points per game, led the team in assists with 4.88 per game and won ECC Rookie of the Year honors. Each year she has maintained a high level of consistency with a commitment to improving.
Baxter also prides herself in being a leader on and off the court for the Mavericks.
"It's really important to be a good leader for the freshmen because it's a whole new world for them," Baxter said. "Especially off the court you have to show them that everything matters and everybody is watching you. Athletes are role models for the school so whatever you do off the court really reflects upon you."
The Mavericks will lose Wellington to graduation and he plans on attending law school at Georgetown University. Mercy will miss his contributions on the court, in the classroom and around campus.
"I've never heard anyone say a bad thing about him," Staffiere said. "He will leave us with a big void."
Baxter, who attended Tuxedo High School in nearby Orange County, has one more season to add to her totals. With a similar season to this year or better, Baxter could end up ranked in the top five all-time in points. She also currently ranks seventh all-time in assists with 369 and with a similar season to this year may be ranked first or second by the end of next year. She will also have an opportunity to crack the top ten all-time in steals.
"I think it says more about my teammates because statistics just come from them," Baxter said.
