Fite, Biss chosen top coach, athlete in PSAC East basketball

Chris Fite offers high praise for Jake Biss, his steely-eyed point guard at Shippensburg.

But the feeling is mutual when it comes to Biss’ respect for his coach.

Fite and Biss, both Latrobe alums, were lauded by the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference on Thursday, Fite as the coach of the year and Biss the athlete of the year in the PSAC Eastern Division.

A junior, Biss is the third player from Shippensburg to win the top athlete award, joining Dustin Sleva (2017-18, ‘16-17) and Chuck Davis (2005-06). The coach of the year honor is the second for Fite.

With a 16.5-point average, Biss is the top scorer for the Raiders (23-6), the top seed in the PSAC East who will host Mercyhurst on Saturday in the conference semifinals. He also gives the team 4.5 assists and shoots 42.4% from 3-point range, the second-best mark in the PSAC.

“Jake’s been a pillar for us the last couple of years, but this year in particular he has really taken huge strides as far as being as assertive as he is offensively, his leadership and embracing that role as a go-to guy for us,” Fite said. “He’s not afraid to take a big shot. He takes tough shots and makes them. He’s always in attack mode, which we need him to be in, but he’s also very unselfish and willing to defer as necessary. You couldn’t ask more from your point guard.”

Fite has guided the Raiders to five straight 20-win seasons and their first division title this season.

“He’s been everything I expected he’d be and more,” Biss said of his coach. “He does everything a great coach does. From leading us to wins on the court to making sure we’re staying on top of our classes and making sure we stay healthy so we can compete in the game we all love. He is the reason I came to ‘Ship’ and I wouldn’t want to be playing for anyone else.”

In all, Shippensburg brought home three of the four major awards handed out by the league’s two divisions.

Raiders senior guard Lamar Talley was named the PSAC East Defensive Athlete of the Year.

Biss and senior forward John Castello (Mars) were selected to the PSAC East first team.

Congratulations to the 2019-20 PSAC Eastern Division Men's Basketball Athlete of the Year, @ShippensburgU's Jake Biss! pic.twitter.com/7nRNUUuqAX

— SHIP Sports Info (@ShipURaiders) March 5, 2020

Congratulations to the PSAC Men's Basketball Eastern Division Coach of the Year, @shippensburgU's Chris Fite! pic.twitter.com/ofbsCK3e9x

— SHIP Sports Info (@ShipURaiders) March 5, 2020