Three Raiders Named to Basketball All-State Teams

Nashua, NH – The NH NCAA Division III Basketball Coaches Association All-State Teams have been announced and three Raiders players have been awarded the honor. Six New Hampshire Division III schools, Colby-Sawyer College, New England College, Plymouth State University, Keene State College, Daniel Webster College and Rivier College, nominate their top performers for the honor and the six coaches then vote for a first and second team for both men and women athletes.

Rivier senior captain Don Poitras (Bow, NH) was a unanimous men's first team selection and was awarded the NH Player of the Year by the Division III coaches association. Poitras led the Raiders with 14.7 points per game and 8.1 rebounds per game during the 2010-11 season. Poitras played and started 22 games this season for the Raiders before a late season ankle injury forced him to the sidelines for the final two weeks.

Women's junior baller Amandra Purcell (Hudson, NH) was named as a first team selection on the women's side after posting a team high 13.5 points and 3.44 assists per game. Amandra also grabbed 4.0 rebounds per game and had a team high 44 steals throughout the season. Purcell started every game for the Raiders and played more minutes than any other player. She is expected to once again lead the team in her senior year and bring the Raiders back to the GNAC Playoffs.

Finally, first year standout Tom Poitras (Bow, NH) was named Co-Rookie of the Year on the men's side along with Colby-Sawyer freshman Robbie Burke. The younger Poitras averaged 9.8 points and 6.0 rebounds per game during his first season of collegiate basketball. Tom really proved that he was the real deal after older brother Don went down with an injury. Tom played as the Raiders primary big man for the final three games of the season and scored double digit points in all three contests, including a 20 point and 13 rebound night against Lasell College in the final regular season game of the year. Tom is expected to be the focal point of the Raiders for the next three years and if he continues to build on his freshman season it will be a bright future.