Raiders Hope Consistency and Experience Can Help Lead Them This Year…..
Rivier College looks to rebound from a tough 9-17 season with virtually the entire team intact this year. Last season saw Rivier lose 6 games on the last possession or in overtime and hopes that experience along with a talented freshmen class can lead them back to the top of the GNAC once again.
"Last season we had many unlucky breaks with major injuries early in the season. The positive is that we really improved as the season went on and gained some valuable experience to the point where we hopefully can overcome injuries and adversity a little better this year," said Coach Morissette.
Returning Players
This senior class is led by Don Poitras Jr (6'8 Center, Bow, NH) and Nick Bean (5'11 Guard, East Longmeadow, MA). Poitras has been one of the best big men in the league the last 3 years and looks to have a monster season. He demands double teams all the time and has done a great job of making decisions and leading the club. Bean has been one of the best three point shooters in the GNAC the last few seasons. His basketball IQ is one of the best on the team and will be depended on to help lead the club this year. Senior Matt Nims (6'4 Forward, Weare, NH) comes back to the team after a year away. Matt is a solid rebounder and will be a solid contributor off the bench.
The junior class is lead by Will Snider (5'7 Guard, Morganville, NJ). Will played major minutes for the Raiders at the point guard position. With the experience gained Snider will be called upon to lead the team as well as the young players at his position. Junior Joe Granato (6'2 Guard, Arlington, MA) had a solid sophomore season and is one of the toughest defenders on the team. NHTI transfer Brian Lawrence (6'6 Forward, Exeter, NH) will also add some much needed depth on the baseline. A tremendous athlete Brian has the ability to rebound in traffic and score from 15 feet.
The sophomore class really did a tremendous job last year as freshmen. This group really gained some valuable experience and really helped the program move forward. Brian Troy (5'9 Guard, Keene, NH) was a pleasant surprise. He stepped into a starting position mid way through the season and was one of the teams leading scorers and the GNAC's top three point shooters. Chris Foley (6'3 Forward, Oakham, MA) also was in and out of the starting lineup and was a solid contributor. Mike Polley (6'5 Forward, Nashua, NH) did a solid job off the bench. Both Chris and Mike will be counted on to add some valuable experience underneath. Elisha Robinson (6'2 Guard, Proctor, VT) gained some valuable experience last season. "Curtis", as Elisha is known to the team, has worked hard in the off season and should see some big minutes this season. Rounding out this very talented class is Cliff Celestin (6'1 Guard, Braintree MA). Cliff missed most of his freshman year with a knee injury and has come back strong with the ability to play three different positions for the Raiders.
Newcomers
"This is another very talented class. They have a lot to do to catch up with last year's group but talent wise they are pretty good. I really look forward in watching this group grow and develop as the season progresses," added Coach Morissette.
Tom Poitras (6'5 Forward, Bow, NH), brother of senior Don Poitras, Shawn Gareau (5'11 Guard, Hardwick, MA) and Emmanuel Smith (5'8 Guard, Harlem, NY) highlight this class. All three were highly recruited and are expected to contribute right away. Mike Fecteau (6'2 Guard, Exeter, NH), Nick Walch (6'1 Guard, Dedham, MA) and Taylor Snider (6'1 Guard, Morganville, NJ), brother of junior Will Snider, have also been impressive so far with their work ethic and team first attitude.
Outlook
The Raiders look to move forward from some tough disappointing losses. New players played major minutes last season due to graduation and learned what it was like to go through a tough GNAC schedule. All five starters return with seniors Nick Bean and Don Poitras Jr leading the way. With the nucleus of the team back the experience they gained could be very valuable coming into this season.
The season will begin with a tough test as Rivier will play one of New England's best programs in Keene State College at NHTI. This is the first year Rivier has been invited to this prestigious event which benefits autism. The other two team in "The Jacob's Bridge Through Autism Classic" are Plymouth State University and Colby-Sawyer College.
Rivier will also play in three tough tournaments this year. The annual Raider Tip-Off Tourney will feature Bard College, Colby-Sawyer College and Daniel Webster College. Then the Raiders will travel to both Colby College and Catholic University (Washington DC) to play in their respective tournaments.
The 18 game GNAC schedule will open up with Norwich University on December 1st at the newly renovated Muldoon Fitness Center at Rivier College. The GNAC once again will be one of the best leagues in New England with Albertus Magnus College as the defending champions who look just as strong this season. Johnson & Wales University, Norwich and St Joseph College ME will also look to contend for the title.
"We could be one of the top four in the league when all is said and done," Says Morissette "we have a lot of work to do to get there, and this team has yet to prove that it's ready to make that jump. This league is so tough now; there are no nights off so we need to play consistent basketball from day 1 to get to where we want to be."
