Utica, NY - The Empire 8 Conference announced its 2021 Men's Basketball Championship All-Tournament Team. The Pioneers, who just won its first conference championship in program history, had two players named to the team. 
 
Kimedrick Murphy (Hudson, NY/Hudson) was named Most Outstanding Player after his role in the championship run. Murphy averaged 10 points, seven rebounds, 1.5 assists and one block per game in his two tournament games. "Hamma" grabbed 11 boards while scoring nine points in the E8 semifinal win over Nazareth. In the championship game at St. John Fisher, Murphy scored 11 points which included four straight buckets midway through the second half to help the Pioneers fend off a Cardinals run and pull away with an 89-65 win. 
 
Kobe Lufkin (Argyle, NY/Argyle) was the other member of UC named to the Empire 8 All-Tournament Team. Lufkin averaged 15 points per game on 50 percent shooting while also averaging 3.5 rebounds per game. The Third Team All-Conference selection converted on three timely three-point shots in the second half of the team's semifinal win over Nazareth to help pull away and secure a spot in the Empire 8 Championship. Lufkin shot 5-for-11 from three over his two tournament games as well. 
 
Stephen Gabel (Sr., F, Nazareth), Amani Cummings (Jr., G, Russell Sage), and Ryan Gentile (Jr., G, St. John Fisher) rounded out the all-tournament team.