Los Medanos College freshman Tyree Murray was recently recognized for his consistent skill on the court and named the 2009 Most Valuable Player of the Bay Valley Conference basketball league.

The Deer Valley High School graduate scored an average of 21 points per game and sank 92 three-point shots this year, a record in Northern California community college competition. Murray was also honored as First Team All State guard.

LMC Coach Derek Domenichelli described Tyree’s advantage: “As an incoming freshman, Tyree made a great adjustment to the college game. His high level of maturity helped him succeed as a student/athlete. His mental toughness and strong work ethic were key to his success as Most Valuable Player of the BVC.”

Domenichelli should be applauded in his own right, as he has been named Coach of the Year of the Bay Valley Conference for the second time (the first was in 2005). His LMC team has recorded six 20-plus-win seasons in the last seven years, including a 25-win season in 2008 and a 23-win season in 2009.

Domenichelli played basketball at Cal State East Bay, where he earned his master’s degree in physical education. Following three years of coaching at Pittsburg High School, he has just completed his eighth season coaching at LMC.

“During his tenure at Los Medanos College, Coach Domenichelli has established that our student athletes and our basketball program, under his skillful leadership, will perennially be among the best in Northern California,” said LMC President Peter Garcia.

Other players winning awards included Pittsburg High’s Jeremy Knowles and Joe Simpson (All-BVC First Team) and Brian Benoit (All-BVC Honorable Mention).

– Contributed by Barbara H. Cella