Three Rivers sophomore Archie Valov was named to the NJCAA All-American team. [Click to enlarge]

By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer

Bryan Sherrer and Archie Valov were solid leaders for the Raiders over the course of the season and now they are being recognized for it.

Sherrer and Valov were named to the NJCAA All-American team. Sherrer was a first-team selection while Valov was a third-team member.

This is the first All-American tandem for the Raiders since Brian Price and Belvis Nolan were honored in 1993 and the 20th and 21st All-American selections in the team's history.

"It is unbelievable," Raiders coach Gene Bess said.

Sherrer averaged 13.5 points per game this season and had the most minutes.

"Bryan has had two great years for us," Raiders coach Gene Bess said. "He was the top vote-getter in the region and we got to the national tournament and that is a testament to how good of a team we were. He was a great leader for us."

Often times, Sherrer would make big baskets at key times for the Raiders. He earned the name "Big Time" from his teammates for his clutch shooting over the course of his freshman season.

"He had the ability to take the ball to the basket and get fouled " Bess said. "That is a tremendous asset to have in college basketball."

Valov was the high scorer for the Raiders over the course of the with an average of 14 points per game. year He had 196 rebounds on the season, third on the team.

"Archie had a great year at the end of last year and struggled at times this year," Bess said. "More than anything, he kept working hard and had the respect of the people in our region. He certainly earned what he got as far as All-American honors."

Three Rivers sophomore Bryan Sherrer was named to the NJCAA All-American team after leading the Raiders to a fourth-place finish at the national tournament. [Click to enlarge]

Valov, a Baylor signee, teamed up with post teammate Aaron Redecker and the two were a tough duo around the basket.

"We wanted him to be an inside force and he and Aaron gave us that," Bess said. "Both of those guys are good 18-foot shooters. It depends upon how (Valov) works on his game as to what role he will play at Baylor."

As the Raiders look forward to next year, they will have some considerable production to replace in Sherrer and Valov.

"The two toughest positions to fill are the point guard and the post," Sherrer said. "I keep that in the back of my mind as we go to next season."

As the sophomores leave, returning freshman like Adam Carpenter and Ken Bingham can take something away from the solid departing class.

"We just had a great bunch of sophomores " Bess said. "Aaron was a vocal leader and Bryan led by his actions. The freshman can learn a lot form that because it was a spectacular team that we had here this year."