Muhlenberg basketball players Jill Friedman and Jeff Stewart have been named to the Lehigh Valley Small College Basketball Team of the Year.

Both were honored at the final Lehigh Valley College Basketball Media Organization luncheon of the season, held at Starter’s Pub in Bethlehem. The Team of the Year consists of one player from each of the seven schools in the Organization.

Friedman, a senior center, leads the team and ranks seventh in the Centennial Conference in scoring with 13.7 points per game, 11th in rebounding with a 7.2 average, sixth in field goal percentage at .478 and eighth with a .741 free throw percentage. She has posted six double-doubles and three games with 20 or more points.

Friedman started her Muhlenberg career on the junior varsity squad, but is now a team captain and one of the top players in the Mules’ up-tempo game. One of her best performances came in an overtime loss to conference power McDaniel, when she matched season highs with 24 points and 13 rebounds.

“Jill has come about as far as a player as anyone I’ve seen at the college level,” said Head Coach Ron Rohn. “She’s done that with a tremendous amount of hard work and effort. With her leadership, our team has been able to do great things.”

Stewart was one of just two freshmen selected to the men’s team. He leads the CC with six double-doubles and ranks fifth in scoring (16.4 points per game), second in rebounding (7.7 per game), sixth in field goal percentage (.552) and fourth in blocks (1.33 per game).

The 6-6 center posted scored a career-high 32 points Feb. 11 against Swarthmore and grabbed 16 rebounds Jan. 13 against Franklin & Marshall. He is the first Mule freshman with two 30-point games and the fourth to score 300 points. Unlike most first-year players, Stewart was given little time to adjust to the college game.

“Jeff has stepped into our starting center position and done a fine job,” said Head Coach Dave Madeira. “He’s had to take on a heavy load. Midway through the seasn, teams found out about him and prepared game plans for him, and he has handled it well.”