Troy Grad Emanuel Mayben Returns

      The name Tiki Mayben has been known throughout the Capital Region ever since he joined the Troy HS varsity as an 8th grader back in 2000.  More than eight years later you hear less and less about 'Tiki', and more about 'Emanuel' -- his given name.  Mayben returned to town Wednesday with the Binghamton Bearcats to play UAlbany for 1st place in the America East Conference.

     When Mayben first burst onto the High School and AAU scenes, his basketball talent has been evident.  Before his junior season with the Flying Horses Tiki committed to Syracuse, only to see academic trouble derail those plans.  Repeated drama followed through his final two years of high school, then through prep school and two years at UMass.

     But then last year at Hudson Valley -- coinciding with the birth of his son Haisi -- Mayben began showing signs of maturity while leading the Vikings to a #1 national ranking in the NJCAA.  And now, with a 3.0 GPA, Mayben has helped Binghamton to the best start in its Division I history. 

     Nowadays it's 'Emanuel' more often than it's 'Tiki' as he settles into his new world in New York's Southern Tier.  "Yeah, I'm home, I'm home. I mean Binghamton's not Troy, my mom's not there, my son's not there, but I'm all right. I'm doing good in school, I'm doing good on the court so i guess that's the two main things in my life right now", Mayben said Wednesday morning after the team's shootaround at SEFCU Arena.

       Then Wedneday night -- with dozens of supporters in the stands -- Mayben missed all seven of his field goal attempts and managed to hit just a single foul shot.  Binghamton lost 72-66.  The Great Danes were led by Anthony Raffa (21 points), Tim Ambrose (20 points), and Will Harris (18 points, 10 rebounds).

     UAlbany (11-6, 3-1 AEC) and Binghamton are now tied for first place in the America East Conference.  The Great Danes next game is Saturday at Maine.