Bjornson, Bergandy Receive All-State Honors

Three boys’ basketball players have earned statewide honors for their performances during the 2010-11 season when the Tigers nearly claimed the first Rhode Island All-State Tournament championship in more than four decades.

Senior Gunnar Bjornson was a first team All-State pick of The Providence Journal and the Rhode Island Basketball Coaches Association as well as a first team overall choice in Division II and Division II-East. Senior Ben Bergandy was extended second team All-State designation by The Providence Journal and RIBCA, a berth on the overall Division II second team, and a first team selection in Division II-East.

Senior Ken Welchman was accorded second team honors in Division II-East.

“It’s pretty exciting and a great accomplishment,” Bjornson said during a telephone interview. “Obviously, my teammates helped me get to this point.”

“It’s a big deal to be considered one of the top 10 players in Rhode Island,” Bergandy said in a telephone interview. “I’ve worked very hard during the last four years to improve my game and I’m very proud to have received these honors.”

Bjornson, Bergandy and Welchman all played integral roles during Tiverton’s magical 20-8 campaign which ended with a 58-47 to Division I St. Raphael Academy in the All-State tournament finale at the Ryan Center on the campus of the University of Rhode Island in Kingston. In regular-season action, Tiverton finished second to Rogers High School in the final Division II-East standings, but to Barrington High in the quarterfinal-round of the Division II State Playoffs.

The Tigers then rebounded to eliminate in succession Division I opponents , and in the state tournament before bowing to St. Raphael.

Bjornson finished the regular campaign as the top scorer in Rhode Island at 23.7 points per outing and tossed in 113 more points during Tiverton’s five-game postseason run. He netted 35 points in the Tigers’ thrilling 77-74 double-overtime victory over Central.

“I think the Central game was my best game of the year,” Bjornson said.

Tiverton Coach Jerry Arcouette praised Bjornson.

“Gunnar made the other players on our team better and that’s what great players do,” Arcouette said. “When he came back to our school this year (following two years as a student at St. George’s School of Middletown), the confidence of our team shot up. He was never afraid of a challenge and he never backed down.”

A smooth-as-silk shooter with incredible range, Bjornson also developed into a key ballhandler and rebounder for Tiverton.

“Many people see Gunnar as just a scorer, but he’s really an outstanding all-around basketball player,” Arcouette said.

According to Arcouette, Bjornson is just the second player in THS history to be designated as a first team selection in boys’ basketball. Dan MacDonald earned the same distinction in the early 1980s when Arcouette was the Tigers’ junior varsity coach.

Bjornson said he will continue his basketball career next year either at a prep school in Connecticut or at a two-year or four-year college in New England.

A four-year performer at THS, Bergandy blossomed as a senior, recording a 17.0 points-per-game scoring average this past season, good for 20^th overall in Rhode Island and seventh among Division II players. He added 78 points in five postseason contests, including 25 against Central.

A strong interior player with a wealth of low-post moves, Bergandy also developed a soft long-range shooting touch this winter, sinking several three-point shots during the season. He was also the Tigers’ most consistent rebounder.

“For me, the All-State Tournament was the highlight of the season,” Bergandy said. “We received unbelievable support from the school and the community. It was a great experience and a lot of fun.”

Arcouette also highly praised Bergandy.

“Ben was a tremendous leader and a quality kid and he opened a lot of people’s eyes in the All-State Tournament as to how good a player he is,” Arcouette said. “He always worked hard to improve himself, but he always put the team’s success first. He came to us four years ago as a good player and developed into one of the best post players in Rhode Island.”

Bergandy said he has narrowed his collegiate choices to either URI, University of Massachusetts-Amherst or Union College of Schenectady, N.Y. He said he intends to major in either computer science or engineering.

Welchman was Tiverton’s starting point guard throughout the season, quarterbacking the Tigers’ attack, spearheading their various pressure defenses, and providing leadership and poise at critical junctures. His presence was never greater than in the 88-78 triumph over Hendricken when he scored 26 points, most in the second half after Bjornson and Bergandy had both fouled out.

“Kenny’s will to win was second to none,” Arcouette said. “He is a strong and tough player, but also willing to sacrifice himself for others and has the ability to find the hot shooter.”

Pimental earns All-Division designation

In girls’ basketball, Tiverton sophomore Rachel Pimental was a Division II-South Honorable Mention selection. Pimental vastly improved as the 2010-11 season progressed and played an integral role for the Tigers, who finished at 4-16.