Amherst, MA --- The National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) announced today the members of the 2007 All-Northeast District Team, with two members of the Amherst College squad earning the honor. Junior point guard Andrew Olson (San Diego, CA) and senior quad-captain Dan Wheeler (Bloomington, MN) were each named to the Northeast First Team, while Olson was also named the Northeast Player of the Year. Amherst head coach Dave Hixon was named the district’s Coach of the Year.

Olson has already been named to the 2006-07 NESCAC First Team, picking up Player of the Year honors for the conference as well. He has been dominant in the NCAA Tournament thus far, earning the Sectional MVP award for the second consecutive season. Olson is also among the finalists for the prestigious Bob Cousy Award, which is awarded to the best point guard in all of college basketball. As one of eight regional Player of the Year recipients, Olson automatically qualifies for First-Team NABC All-America honors and is a finalist for NABC National Player of the Year consideration.

Wheeler was also named to this year’s NESCAC First Team, adding Winter All-Academic honors as well, and is one of ten finalists for the Jostens Trophy National Player of the Year award. The senior quad-captain joined Olson in dominating the first rounds of the NCAA Tournament, earning a spot on the All-Sectional Team.

Zack Ray and Rob Stockwell of Bates College round out the NESCAC players on the All-District Team, with both earning spots on the Second Team.

Olson and Wheeler have led the Lord Jeffs (28-2) to the national semifinals in Salem, VA for the second consecutive year, and will take on The College of Wooster Friday at 6 p.m. Hixon has had plenty of experience in the NCAA Tournament and will be looking for his first national title this weekend.

Northeast Player of the Year
Andrew Olson (Amherst College)

Northeast Coach of the Year
Dave Hixon (Amherst College)

All-Northeast First Team
Eric Downie (Salem Sate College)
Ryan Cain (Worcester Poly Tech)
Tyler Kathan (Keene State College)
Dan Wheeler (Amherst College)
Andrew Olson (Amherst College)
Steve DeLuca (Brandeis University)

All-Northeast Second Team
Kinsey Durgin (Rhode Island College)
Prezzie Blue (Wentworth Tech)
Zack Ray (Bates College)
Rob Stockwell (Bates College)
Jim Bayne (Western New England College)