HOUGHTON, N.Y. – Houghton men's basketball student-athletes Jajuan Preaster and Preston Thomas have been honored by the Empire 8 Conference for their performances during the 2023-24 season.
 
Preaster was named to the All-E8 Second Team, while Thomas earned a spot on the E8 Third Team.
 
This marks the first time either player has earned all-conference honors and it's the first time two Highlander teammates have been honored in the same season.
 
Preaster led the Highlanders and was third in the E8 in scoring (19.1 ppg). He also led the team in rebounding (6.7) and field goal percentage (.487), while finishing second on the team in assists (84). He finished among the top-10 in the E8 in scoring, rebounding, field goal percentage, assists and steals.
 
The senior forward reached double figures in scoring 21 times out of 23 games played. He went over 20 points on 10 occasions and more than 30 points twice. He set a career-high with 36 points against Elmira, while adding eight rebounds and a career-high nine assists in the contest. The 36 points was tied for most scored in the E8 this season. He matched a career-high with 12 rebounds vs. Keuka.
 
Thomas made his mark in his first year as a Highlander, finishing second on the team and ninth in the E8 in scoring (15.5 ppg). He averaged 6.3 rebounds per game to finish second on the team, while adding 69 assists and 31 steals. He led the Highlanders and the conference with 72 made three-pointers (2.8 per game). He reached double figures in scoring 22 times, with eight games over 20 points. He tallied a career-high 35 points at John Jay, a game in which he tied the program mark for three pointers with nine. He finished with 29 points and seven three pointers against St. John Fisher.
 
In addition, senior Luke Cole was Houghton's selection to the Empire 8 Sportsman of the Year team. The Empire 8 Conference emphasizes that "Competing with Honor and Integrity" is an essential component of a student-athlete's experience in conjunction with an institution's educational mission. These honorees have distinguished themselves and consistently exhibit the critical traits as outstanding sportsmen.

Full All-Conference Release