YORK, PA – The York College Spartan men's basketball team had two players named to the MAC All-Commonwealth teams as announced by the Middle Atlantic Conference office on Wednesday.
 
Seniors Kai Cipalla and Jackson Mascari were both named to the first team while Cipalla was named the MAC Commonwealth Player of the Year. The Spartans captured a share of the regular season title and then won the Commonwealth tournament title on Saturday.
 
Cipalla enters the NCAA Tournament averaging 20.1 points and 6.6 rebounds per game. He is shooting 57.4% from the floor, 31.3% from three and 67.1% from the free throw line. Cipalla has handed out 57 assists, collected 29 steals and blocked 17 shots.
 
Cipalla is the sixth Spartan to earn conference Player of the Year award and the first Spartan to earn the accolade in the MAC Commonwealth. The previous five Spartan Player of the Year award winners were all in the Capital Athletic Conference. Chad McGowan (2006-07 & 2007-08), Nick Brady (2009-10), Paul Kouvaris (2011-12), Jason Bady (2018-19) and Jared Wagner (2019-20) were the previous honorees for the Spartans. Cipalla is the third player to earn the award under the guidance of current head coach Matt Hunter.
 
"Kai has been one of the most productive players in the league, region, and entire country over the last two seasons," said Hunter. "I am happy for him that he has earned the praise of our coaches in the Commonwealth this year and was named Player of the Year.  He certainly backed up their support last week with two great performances in Championship week.
 
Mascari has had a fantastic senior year as he averaging 14.3 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. Mascari is shooting 48% from the floor, 39% (57-for-146) from three and 64.2% from the free throw line. He has handed out 79 assists, grabbed 30 steals and blocked 15 shots.
 
"Jackson has had an unbelievable senior year," remarked Hunter. "His development and the growth of his production this year is almost unheard of. I am excited that he was recognized by the coaches in our league for his extraordinary play, especially during the league playoffs."
 
Mascari is one of York's three 1,000-point scorers on the team this year as he enters the NCAA Tournament with 1,070 points in 97 career games. He is a career 45.8% shooter including 33.1% (110-for-332) from distance. Mascari has also collected 661 career rebounds.
 
Hunter is pleased to see his two seniors recognized.
 
"I am a huge believer that individual accolades do not and should not come without team success," said Hunter. "The success we were able to have on the floor together in winning the regular season championship & Commonwealth Tournament this year has led to Kai & Jackson being recognized for their tremendous seasons."
 
The Spartans head into their NCAA Tournament match up against #24 John Carroll with a mark of 21-6.