3/1/2005 - Men's Basketball
Navy's Johnson and Sprink Named to Patriot League Men's Basketball All-Rookie Team

Navy's Corey Johnson led all freshman scorers and assist givers this season.

CENTER VALLEY, Pa. - Navy starting guards Corey Johnson (Anderson, Ind.) and Greg Sprink (Cardiff, Calif.) were among the five players named to the 2005 Patriot League Men's Basketball All-Rookie Team announced by the league office Tuesday morning in a conference-wide media call.

Johnson and Sprink are the 12th and 13th players in Navy's 14-year Patriot League affiliation to be named to the league's all-rookie team. Meanwhile, it marks the fourth time in Navy history that two players have been named to the all-rookie team in one season. In 1991-92, Mark Majick and Derrick Wall made an impression as rookies in the Mids' first season as a member of the Patriot League. In 1993-94, Ryan Torgrimson and Brian Walker were both named to the all-rookie squad, as were Jason Jeanpierre and Scott Long in 1999-00.

Both Johnson and Sprink were twice named the Patriot League Rookie of the Week. Johnson averaged 13 points, five rebounds, three assists and 3.5 steals per game lin contests against the Merchant Marine Academy and VMI to earn his first league honor on Nov. 29. The rookie produced a career-high tying 21 points against the Mariners, shooting 8 for 16 from the field, including 3 for 6 from three-point range. In addition, he grabbed five rebounds, dealt out four assists and swiped a career-high five steals.

He was honored a second time on Feb. 21 after he turned in 13 points, three boards and three assists in leading the Mids to their first Patriot League road victory, a 76-75 decision over Lehigh.

A starter in 26 of Navy's 27 contests this winter, Johnson is Navy's third-leading scorer, averaging 9.7 points a game. He is ranked seventh on Navy's all-time freshman scoring list. He leads the Mids and the league's freshman in assists (3.0 apg) and steals (2.0 spg).
Sprink was voted the rookie of the week Dec. 27 after he earned his first-collegiate start at Mount St. Mary's and answered with his first-career double-double. On Feb. 7. Sprink earned his second Patriot League honor after averaging 14.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists, while shooting 41.7 percent from the field and 57.1 percent from three-point range in Navy's two-point loss to league leader Holy Cross and in the Mids' Star Game triumph over Army.

Sprink has started 18 of the 23 contests in which he has seen action. He is averaging 8.2 points overall and is tied as the Mids' third-leading scorer in Patriot League play, adding 10.1 points per outing. One of the premier rebounders in conference action, he is grabbing 6.0 boards and is the league's top rebounding rookie. Sprink is just 11 points shy of 200 and should he reach that plateau, it would be the first time in school history that two freshmen have scored 200 points each in a single season.

Navy opens Patriot League Tournament play Friday at Sojka Pavilion when it faces third-seeded American. Game time is set for 5:30 p.m. and will be carried live on 1430 WNAV.

G-o N-a-v-y