Tim McGinty was enjoying some lunch and watching a little TV when his phone rang.
On the line was Benedictine University men’s basketball coach Keith Bunkenburg, and he had some good news for his starting forward.
After helping the Eagles to an 18-9 overall record and a 15-6 mark in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference this season, the 6-foot-8 senior had been chosen the NACC’s Co-Player of the Year.
“I was kind of surprised because we lost in the (NACC) semifinals (76-70 to Concordia University Wisconsin),” McGinty said. “But we won the regular season (championship) and the last eight games I played very well after starting slow.
“Winning the regular season championship definitely helped. I was surprised but very happy about it.”
Statistically, the 2011 St. Laurence graduate certainly was worthy of player of the year consideration. McGinty led the Eagles in points (14.4 average), rebounding average (7) and free-throw percentage (79.9). The Chicago native also was third in field-goal percentage (52.2) while also chipping in two assists per game.
McGinty, who started for three-and-a-half seasons, was named to the All-NACC Team twice. This season, he scored in double figures in 19 games, leading Benedictine in scoring 12 times — including the final five games of the regular season. McGinty also led Benedictine in rebounds in 11 games and tallied three double-doubles.
“Before the year, I talked to Coach (Bunkenburg) and that was my goal,” McGinty said. “I started slowly, but picked up my game in the second half of the season and finished well.
“I wanted to win the championship in the conference tournament, but we didn’t do that. That was the main goal. Not doing that still bothers me to this day.
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“Our first goal was to go to the NCAA (Division III) tournament, but that didn’t happen.”
Along with the plaudit from the NACC, McGinty also garnered two more postseason accolades as he was named to D3hoops.com’s All-Central Region Second Team while also claiming a place on the National Association of Basketball Coaches’ Second Team for the Central District.
With his playing career for the Eagles now complete, McGinty will graduate from Benedictine in May with a degree in business management. Before entering the workforce, he said there’s a possibility of playing professional basketball in Europe.
“I’ve been thinking about how we lost our last game,” McGinty said. “But I also met a lot of great guys here and had a lot of fun playing basketball with them.
“Some of the people I’ve become friends with will be my friends for the rest of my life. Everyone was happy for me. They were very supportive and always have been.”
A good sport
Natalie Williams of Saint Mary’s University (Minnesota) was one of 12 athletes chosen to the 2014-15 All-Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Sportsmanship Team in women’s basketball.
Williams, who prepped at De La Salle, played in nine games this season for the Cardinals. The 5-foot-6 senior guard made one start as Saint Mary’s finished the season 18-9, 11-7 in the MIAC.
Soaring with the Eagles
South Dakota State wrestler Colin Holler (Sandburg) was nominated for the Western Wrestling Conference’s Wrestler of the Week award for the period ending Feb. 24.
Holler, a redshirt freshman, was nominated after posting a 16-7 major decision win against North Dakota State.
The Orland Park resident, who was competing at 149 pounds this season, finished with an overall record of 14-7. He tied for third place on the Jackrabbits’ roster with four major decisions.
Walsh is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.