Ruden Sports News

After a long list of memorable accomplishments over the past three months, it is time for you to decide who was the very best of the best. We have selected seven outstanding male and five female finalists for the Ruden Report-Fairfield County Bank Winter Male and Female Player of the Year awards.

The winners will receive a custom-made long-sleeve T shirt with name and uniform number on the back.

The vote ends at noon on Wednesday.

Here are the finalists, who were all named to the All-FCIAC and All-State teams, and their accomplishments (based on information submitted by coaches).

Male Finalists

Kevin Bradley, Norwalk Diving. Bradley swept the diving titles at the FCIAC, Class LL and State Open championships.

Nick Cullinan, Ridgefield Hockey. Cullinan was selected the Division I Most Valuable Player after leading the Tigers in scoring for the third year and to the FCIAC title and an undefeated record until a state quarterfinal upset. He will graduate with 85 goals and 72 assists.

Chet Ellis, Staples Track. Ellis won the high jump at the FCIAC, Class LL, State Open and New England Championships, and finished third at the national championships. He set the state record at 6-9.25.

Ben Feldman, Westhill/Stamford Swimming. Feldman was undefeated, winning the FCIAC, Class LL and State Open titles in the 100 fly and 100 breast. Feldman was the MVP at each meet.

Malcolm Going, Danbury Track. Going won the 1,000 meters at the FCIAC Championships, the 600 and was part of the winning spring medley relay at the Class LL championships, and the 600 at the State Open and New England Championships. He set the New England record in the 800 and ran the second-fastest indoor time in the country.

Timmond Williams, Trumbull Basketball. Williams averaged 25.5 points, 8 rebounds and 2 steals in helping lead the Tigers to the FCIAC regular season title and to the CIAC Division I semifinals. Williams passed Harold Jensen as the school’s all-time scoring leader.

Tyler Sung, New Canaan Wrestling. Sung won the 145-pound title at the FCIAC, Class L, State Open and New England Championships.

Female Finalists

Jess Eccleston, New Canaan Hockey. Eccleston, a defenseman, led the Rams with 13 goals and 19 assists and to both the FCIAC and state championships.

Iyanna Lops, Trinity Catholic Basketball. Lops averaged 19 points, 13 rebounds and 6 blocks during the regular season and 24 points, 15 rebounds and 7 blocks during the postseason as the Crusaders won the CIAC Class S title and was the runner up in the FCIAC Championship.

Mari Noble Greenwich Track. Noble won the 3,200 title at the Class LL and State Open Championships and finished second at the New England Championships. She ranks fourth in the country among sophomores in the mile.

Allie Palmieri, Trumbull Basketball. Palmieri averaged 18 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals per game.

Tess Stapleton, Fairfield Ludlowe Track. Stapleton swept the 55 hurdles at the FCIAC, Class LL, State Open and New England Championships and won the long jump at the New England Championships.