Lewis-Clark State College men’s basketball coach Brandon Rinta has announced the signing of three more junior college players for the 2011-12 season.
Donte Archie, a 6-foot-2 guard from Citrus Junior College, Chris Hepperly, a 5-10 guard from Grossmont Junior College, and PJ Bolte, a 6-6 forward from Highline Community College, have agreed to play for the Warriors next season. Archie and Bolte will be juniors, while Hepperly will be a sophomore.
“Adding Donte, Chris, and PJ to the mix should give us the depth we need to be competitive every night out,” Rinta said. “They are all good players at their respective positions and will be strong contributors to this program.”
Archie averaged 8.9 points and 4.8 rebounds (second on the team) per game while helping his team to the championship game of the California Community College Athletic Association tournament. He also was named the CCCAA Player of the Week during the season.
“I felt like this was a great opportunity with a new coach and some great facilities,” Archie said. “It felt like the best situation for me.”
Archie attended Junipero Serra High School in Los Angeles where he was a teammate of former Warrior Daniel Williams. During his senior year, he was the Del Rey League’s MVP and a first-team all-California Interscholastic Federation pick.
“Donte is a complete player,” Rinta said. “He is a very good defender and shooter, but can also put the ball on the deck and create for himself or his teammates.”
Hepperly averaged 9.8 points per game and was an honorable mention selection for the all-Pacific Coast Conference team. He was one of the leading 3-point shooters in the conference as he connected on 42 percent of his attempts.
Hepperly graduated from Sandpoint High in Idaho where he averaged 14 points per game and was a first-team all-Inland Empire League selection his senior year.
“Chris is a very intelligent combo guard that can really shoot the basketball,” Rinta said. “I expect him to be a solid player for us, while bringing some more leadership to the team.”
Bolte averaged 16 points and 10 rebounds a game, both team highs, while helping Highline to a 19-9 record. He earned first-team West Region Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges honors during his freshman season.
Bolte attended Franklin Pierce High School in Tacoma where he earned All-South Puget Sound League Class 3A honorable mention honors after averaging 14.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 2.0 blocks during his senior year.
“PJ is a very versatile forward that can handle and pass it,” Rinta said. “He can score the basketball in a number of ways and should be a tough match up on the perimeter or inside.”
Rinta is in his first year as head coach for the Warriors.
