Women’s Final Score
Rivier University 78 Plymouth State University 71
Men’s Final Score
Rivier University 53 Plymouth State University 50
CONCORD, N.H. — NHTI, Concord’s Community College was the host site for the first annual Concord Boys and Girls Club Classic. The event will annually match-up Rivier University and Plymouth State University in men’s and women’s basketball action. In this, the inaugural year, Rivier swept the night with the women winning 78-71 and the men holding on 53-50.
A spectacular day of basketball featuring a clinic under the direction of NHTI Head Coach/Athletic Director Paul Hogan at the Concord Boys & Girls Club with 22 young campers along with NHTI basketball representatives from the men’s and women’s teams. During the halftime of the first game of the night at NHTI, over 50 Boys & Girls Club team members participated in several basketball contests on the main floor of the Crocker Wellness Center in conjunction with the NHTI basketball teams.
“NHTI has a very long history of partnering with the Concord Boys & Girls Club over the years. The opportunity with two in-state rivals to play on our court and involve the local club members proved to be very successful,” remarked Hogan. “The event will serve many purposes for our local community and the establishment of the new scholarship program to assist local students should be very helpful.”
NHTI Sports Management students played an active role in the planning and production of the event. Students served many different roles in the overall event management including working directly with the Concord Boys and Girls Club with the coordination of activities.
In the first game, the Rivier women were led Deanna Purcell (26 points with six rebounds and three assists), AJ Guidi (13 points with four boards and three steals), Britney Lane (nine points), and Danielle Martin (eight points). Rivier jumped out to a commanding 20 point lead but PSU fought back to make the last few minutes very close indeed.
The Panthers of PSU were paced by Krystin Corliss (21 points with six rebounds and seven assists), Bry Bennett (16 points with eight rebounds), Katie Seraikas (12 points with six rebounds) and Meghan Fareta (11 points).
In the men’s game Rivier was highlighted by Nick Walch (15 points with seven rebounds), Garon Whitney (14 points with six boards), Tom Poitras (eight points with three blocks) and Brian Troy (six assists). The nip and tuck battle was a cliffhanger till the very last shot as the buzzer sounded handing the victory to Rivier.
Petey Skevas (six rebounds and four assists), Alex Burt (nine points with five rebounds), Kevin Eisenberg (eight points and four steals), and former NHTI standout Stephan Roberts (seven rebounds) were the leaders for the Panthers.
All money from tonight’s event will go to a scholarship fund that helps a former Concord Boys and Girls Club member attend NHTI for their post-secondary education. The NHTI Sports Management Club, Sports Marketing Class, Men’s & Women’s basketball teams and the Athletic Department all played major roles in the success of this annual event.
For more information on the programs NHTI has to offer visit www.nhti.edu and for additional information on the Concord Boys and Girls Club go to www.concordkings.com.
Story courtesy of Mike Lawton, NHTI Sports Information Intern