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Cooperstown Today
By the People, for the People
Nelen Named MVP, Lambert Wins Coach of Year for CSC DIII
Cooperstown Hawkeyes sweep Division III play, advance to Section III Class C semifinals
Published on Mar. 2, 2026
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Senior Miles Nelen was named Most Valuable Player and Coach John Lambert won Coach of the Year honors for the Center State Conference Division III. Nelen scored 1,320 points in three years of varsity competition, including 598 points this season. The defending Section III Class C champion Cooperstown Hawkeyes (22-0) are ranked No. 1 in Class C and will compete in the Section III Class C semifinals against No. 4 seeded Dolgeville.
Why it matters
The CSC DIII awards recognize the top individual and team performances in the conference, while the Cooperstown Hawkeyes' continued success highlights the strength of the program and the competitive nature of the Section III Class C playoffs.
The details
Nelen scored 41 points against host Faith Heritage on Dec. 20 and also made 95 assists and 50 steals this season. Seniors Jackson Crisman, Christian Lawson, and junior Brody Murdock were also named CSC DIII All-Stars. The Hawkeyes swept Division III play this season and will face No. 4 seeded Dolgeville in the Section III Class C semifinals.
- On March 2, 2026, the Center State Conference Division III awards were announced.
- The Section III Class C semifinals will take place on Monday, March 2, 2026.
- The Section III Class C championship game will be held on Sunday, March 8, 2026.
The players
Miles Nelen
A senior who was named the Most Valuable Player of the Center State Conference Division III after scoring 1,320 points in three years of varsity competition, including 598 points this season.
John Lambert
The head coach of the Cooperstown Hawkeyes, who won Coach of the Year honors for the Center State Conference Division III.
Cooperstown Hawkeyes
The defending Section III Class C champion, who are ranked No. 1 in Class C and swept Division III play this season.
Jackson Crisman
A senior who was named a CSC DIII All-Star after scoring 397 points and making 256 rebounds this season.
Christian Lawson
A senior who was named a CSC DIII All-Star after scoring 247 points with 76 assists and 60 steals this season.
Brody Murdock
A junior who was named a CSC DIII All-Star after scoring 216 points and making 82 rebounds this season.
What’s next
The winner of the Cooperstown vs. Dolgeville semifinal will play in the Section III Class C championship game on Sunday, March 8, 2026 at Onondaga Community College's SRC Arena in Syracuse.
The takeaway
The CSC DIII awards and the Cooperstown Hawkeyes' continued success demonstrate the high level of talent and competitiveness in the local high school basketball scene, with individual standouts like Miles Nelen leading their teams to deep playoff runs.
