Jean-Baptiste collects back-to-back Empire 8 Co-Player of the Week honors

By: Matt Hanes

Brockport guard Stephanie Jean-Baptiste garnered the Empire 8 Co-Player of the Week award for the second consecutive week to start the 2025-26 season. The recent nod follows a 2-1 stretch for the Golden Eagles where Jean-Baptiste averaged 19.6 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2.6 steals per game.

Brockport senior guard Stephanie Jean-Baptiste driving to the basket on a fastbreak opportunity on Nov. 21, 2025. (Photo Credits: Liv Metz)

The Golden Eagles started their week with an 88-64 road loss against Hamilton. Despite the loss, Jean-Baptiste still paced the team with 13 points, seven rebounds (five offensive, two defensive) and three assists. The loss lit a spark the senior for the upcoming weekend matchups.

“I don’t think Steph has been okay with her last couple performances,” Brockport head coach Corinne Jones said. “They are facing tougher teams, but that’s what’s going to get us ready for our conference and potentially postseason play. She’s learned a lot about how to play and how to get her shots off, so I think she’s ready to respond.”

The senior’s response was heard in The Vlog as she led Brockport to a dominant 86-66 win against William Smith on Friday, Nov. 21. Jean-Baptiste led the way with a game-high 21 points paired with 10 rebounds for her fourth career double-double. She also ended with two assists, two blocks and two steals.

“I feel like it just comes naturally,” Jean-Baptiste said. “I don’t think it’s any specific team that matters. I am able to go at every game with the same mentality, do me, find my shots and be able to play a complete game.”

Brockport senior guard Stephanie Jean-Baptiste putting up a difficult mid range jumpshot on William Smith's Giana Lobozzo on Nov 21, 2025. (Photo Credits: Liv Metz)

The senior continued her dominant weekend against Ithaca, leading the Golden Eagles to an 80-75 win. Jean-Baptiste played 35 out of 40 minutes in the game, contributing 25 points, nine rebounds (including a career-high seven offensive rebounds) and four steals.

With the Brockport running a smaller lineup than previous years, coach Jones has been challenging her guards to fight for every rebound. Jean-Baptiste has stepped up. Her average of 7.1 rebounds per game is second best on the Golden Eagles.

“I feel like I always came in with a rebounding mentality, even since high school,” Jean-Baptiste said. “In my past years here, we’ve had a lot of other strong rebounders, but I feel like this year coach Jones needs me to step up as far as rebounding because we don’t have those pieces like last year. Rebounding is more of a team effort now.”

Brockport senior guard Stephanie Jean-Baptiste driving to the right side of the basket after a screen from teammate Claire Turner on Nov. 21, 2025. (Photo Credits: Liv Metz)

Jean-Baptiste is no stranger to awards for the Golden Eagles. In her sophomore season, she was named to the SUNYAC All-Conference second team alongside current assistant coach Zairea Hannah. After entering the Empire 8 conference in her junior season, Jean-Baptiste earned a first team All-Conference selection as well as the Empire 8 Co-Defensive Player of the Year award.

With all signs pointing towards a Player of the Year award on the way, Jean-Baptiste isn’t letting it distract her and the team from what’s most important to them. Redemption in the Empire 8 championship.

“Individually, Player of the Year is an award I had my eye on,” Jean-Baptiste said. “But I feel like all that will fall into place if we just stay the track and are able to make it back to that championship game.”

With the pair of wins, Brockport’s record improves to 3-3 in out of conference play. The Golden Eagles will host the RIT Tigers in The Vlog on Tuesday, Dec. 2 with tip-off set for 6 p.m.