By DAN BARILE
Eagle Times Correspondent
Fall Mountain, Kearsarge, Newport, and Stevens each reached the Division III playoffs this season, providing plenty of strong candidates for our All-Eagle Times Team. Kearsarge leads the way with four members on our teams after reaching the championship game for the second time in the past four seasons.
THE FIRST TEAM
Aaron Fellows, Newport, Senior
Overview: The senior guard eclipsed the 1,000 point mark this season while finishing second in the division at 21.7 points per game. Fellows also led Newport to its first playoff victory in several seasons while scoring 30 points against Newfound in the opening round of the playoffs.
Honors: 2nd Team All-State
Christian Forsythe, Newport, Senior
Overview: Forsythe finished third in Division III at 21.1 points per game and formed the highest scoring duo in the division alongside Aaron Fellows. Forsythe had three 30-point games this season, including a 35-point performance against Mascoma in the quarterfinals.
Honors: All-State Honorable Mention
Eli Whipple, Kearsarge, Sophomore
Overview: After playing a minor role for the Cougars last year, the sophomore sharpshooter broke out this season and led Kearsarge in scoring at 14.7 points per game. Whipple put his scoring ability on full display in Kearsarge’s semifinal victory against Mascoma, posting 18 points in the first quarter before finishing with a game-high 24 points.
Honors: All-State Honorable Mention
Noah Whipple, Kearsarge, Senior
Overview: Whipple is the ultimate Swiss army knife who did everything for his team while leading them to the state finals. Whipple scored 18.1 points per game out of necessity last season as the only player on his team to score more than seven points per game. Whipple’s average dropped to 12.7 points per game this season due to the ascension of Austin Needham, Ajay Tremblay, and his younger brother Noah, but he was just as important as ever for Nate Camp’s squad.
Honors: 1st Team All-State, Jack Ford Memorial Scholar Athlete Award
Ledger Willett, Fall Mountain, Senior
Overview: The senior wing reached double figures in scoring in every game this season while leading Fall Mountain at 17.7 points per game. Willett’s ability to drive to the hoop, rise up for mid-range, and connect from beyond the arc made him a dangerous player from anywhere on the court.
Honors: 2nd Team All-State
THE SECOND TEAM
Zach Hearne, Fall Mountain, Junior
Overview: The junior wing was one of the most improved players in the division after playing almost exclusively on junior varsity a season ago. Hearne provided Fall Mountain with a lethal weapon from beyond the arc and finished third on the team in scoring at 8.9 points per game.
Austin Needham, Kearsarge, Senior
Overview: The senior guard was one of four players in Kearsarge’s balanced scoring attack who could go off any given night. Needham’s biggest game came in the quarterfinals when he posted 22 points to lead the Cougars to a double overtime victory against Gilford. Needham finished third on the team in scoring at 11.6 points per game
Luke St. Pierre, Fall Mountain, Junior
Overview: St. Pierre was the toughest cut from the first team, but he will almost certainly be featured on the squad next season. The junior guard was a deadly shooter from outside, but he can also use his athleticism to get to the hoop. St. Pierre finished second in scoring for Fall Mountain at 16.0 points per game.
Honors: All-State Honorable Mention
Ajay Tremblay, Kearsarge, Senior
Overview: Tremblay was overshadowed at times on Kearsarge’s standout squad, but he played a key role while averaging 8.9 points per game. Tremblay posted three 20-point games for the Cougars this season.
Owen Wilkinson, Stevens, Sophomore
Overview: Wilkinson is a high IQ player who plays a key role as the Cardinals floor general. The sophomore point guard is an excellent playmaker who also averaged 8.6 points per game.
Honors: All-State Honorable Mention
