Posted: Feb 25, 2022
Eric Norton, Amil Fields represent Cal Maritime on All-Cal Pac honor roll
VALLEJO, Calif. – Junior guard Eric Norton and sophomore forward Amil Fields represented Cal Maritime when the California Pacific Conference unveiled its list of year-end men's basketball award winners. When announced, Norton earned a hat trick of honors — named Defender of the Year, he also earned a spot on the league's All-Defense Team and First Team — with Fields receiving Second Team recognition.
"We are proud of Eric and Amil for earning accolades from the Cal Pac. Ultimately, basketball is a team sport, and today's announcement is a recognition of the group's collective effort."
Added head coach Tim Bross, "We were one of the stronger defensive teams in the conference, and for that to be encapsulated with Eric's and Amil's awards is a nice accomplishment for this program."
Hailing from East Palo Alto, California, Norton is the Keelhaulers' first Defender of the Year since the 2015-16 campaign when the conference selected Roman Delgado for this award.
Led by Norton, Cal Maritime's defensive unit shined from start to finish since it held opponents to a .420 overall shooting percentage, the second-lowest recorded by a Cal Pac team. The Keelhaulers also forced other teams to commit 13.8 turnovers per game, the second-highest figure in the league.
During conference play, the Keelhaulers' defense frustrated teams all season long since opponents committed a league-high 14.6 turnovers per game.
From an individual standpoint, Norton averaged 12.7 points and 4.6 rebounds per game and led all Cal Pac players, throughout conference play, with 26 steals.
"Eric is an excellent on- and off-ball defender, and an excellent rebounder for his size. As our point guard, he led us to key victories and clutch performances. Offensively, his speed and quickness creates matchup challenges for opponents — something other coaches recognized since he was selected Defensive Player of the Year," said Bross.
Fields, the Keelhaulers' three-point sharpshooter, was responsible for nearly one-third (50 of 155) of his team's baskets from distance. As the season progressed, he played a larger role in his team's success since his best games of the year took place against Cal Pac teams.
Ranked No. 7 from three during that timespan, the Hayward, California native also averaged 14.7 points and 7.1 rebounds per game — figures that placed him among the top players in the conference.
"Amil's enjoyed a solid year with his offensive production and defensive prowess, we are pleased to see him recognized with Second Team honors," Bross added.
Hailing from East Palo Alto, California, Norton is the Keelhaulers' first Defender of the Year since the 2015-16 campaign when the conference selected Roman Delgado for this award.
Led by Norton, Cal Maritime's defensive unit shined from start to finish since it held opponents to a .420 overall shooting percentage, the second-lowest recorded by a Cal Pac team. The Keelhaulers also forced other teams to commit 13.8 turnovers per game, the second-highest figure in the league.
During conference play, the Keelhaulers' defense frustrated teams all season long since opponents committed a league-high 14.6 turnovers per game.
From an individual standpoint, Norton averaged 12.7 points and 4.6 rebounds per game and led all Cal Pac players, throughout conference play, with 26 steals.
"Eric is an excellent on- and off-ball defender, and an excellent rebounder for his size. As our point guard, he led us to key victories and clutch performances. Offensively, his speed and quickness creates matchup challenges for opponents — something other coaches recognized since he was selected Defensive Player of the Year," said Bross.
Fields, the Keelhaulers' three-point sharpshooter, was responsible for nearly one-third (50 of 155) of his team's baskets from distance. As the season progressed, he played a larger role in his team's success since his best games of the year took place against Cal Pac teams.
Ranked No. 7 from three during that timespan, the Hayward, California native also averaged 14.7 points and 7.1 rebounds per game — figures that placed him among the top players in the conference.
"Amil's enjoyed a solid year with his offensive production and defensive prowess, we are pleased to see him recognized with Second Team honors," Bross added.