By CHRIS LaCLAIR
Eagle Times Sports Editor
SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine — In a thrilling display of skill and determination Wednesday, Nov. 29, Terrian Wester, a standout first-year college basketball player for NHTI, has emerged as one of the latest recipients of the coveted YSCC player of the week award. His pivotal role as the catalyst in a stunning victory over the defending champions, Southern Maine Community College, has solidified his reputation as a fierce competitor who stops at nothing to lead his team to success. A master of acrobatic steals and clutch shots, Terrian’s unwavering commitment and never-say-die attitude make him a force to be reckoned with on the court.
Wester, a native of Albany, GA, who moved to Claremont, NH in September of 2022, has helped propel Concord’s New Hampshire Technical Institute (NHTI) to a #1 United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) D2 national ranking in men’s college basketball with a 7-0 record.
The USCAA is a very formidable association as programs play D1-D3 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) opponents as well as National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) and Christian schools. The year that NHTI won the national championship, they beat Johson and Wales 98-76 in the semifinals, who had played 6 NCAA D1 schools including North Carolina Wilmington during the regular season.
Wester is a 2017 graduate who played basketball for the Lee County High Trojans. He was selected as a 2nd team All-State player which helped him get the recognition to be noticed by college recruiters. He signed with Albany Tech which allowed him to stay closer to home. His goal was to use the time at Albany Tech to showcase his skill sets to get signed by a D1 or D2 college program.
If you have followed the team this season at all, you have noticed that they are undersized compared to the other teams that they have faced. They have been forced to play a small ball style of play as well as playing bigger than they are. No other player on the team has played bigger than they are than Wester.
Wester’s most mind-
blowing stat is that as a 6’3 guard, he is averaging an amazing 13.7 rebounds per game. Against the Bristol Community College Bayhawks, Wester went off with a game high of 27 points and 25 rebounds to help his team secure the 100-83 win. He is also averaging 13.4 points per game (shooting an incredible 49.4% from the field), 4.3 assists a game and over 3 steals a game.
“A lot of teams and coaches counted us out,” said Wester. “(They) laughed at us when we walked in the gym because of our size but what do they say? It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the fight inside of the dog and that’s what we have and will continue having throughout this season.”
NHTI Coach Irvin Harris has been a great mentor and coach for Wester’s development this season. Harris first saw Wester play during a men’s league game in Manchester, NH at the MBA which is owned and operated by Carl Doucet. He saw something in Wester that he knew could help the Lnyx earn a championship run.
“Terrian has come a long way,” said Harris. “He is showing love to all of his teammates from top to bottom.”
Webster has a vision for his future with basketball at the next level. That may include a scholarship offer with a D1 or D2 college program as he has two years of eligibility left. He may also explore the overseas option to make a career out of basketball.
His most important goal now is focused on this season.
“My goal is to get a ring,” said Wester. “The season going good … still have a lot of stuff to work on such as defensive rotations and knocking down free throws in crucial moments.”
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