Recruiting Report: Dalton Poitra (2016)

September 10th Update

We’ve rambled on and on about the numbers that Dalton Poitra put up last year and the incredible production on a game to game basis that he gave Saint John.  When it comes to Class B basketball in North Dakota few can match his all around consistent productivity.

Dalton is an all around athlete.  A year ago he caught 1,116 yards worth of passes and scored 23 touchdowns.  As a senior he is playing quarterback. 

With Poitra doing so much he only played part time with the Dakota Phenom but had a good experience.

“It was good for the half that I played,” said Dalton.  “It helped playing against bigger and better people. Overall I think I gained a lot from it.”

St. John won 17 games a year ago on the hardwood and have higher expectations this winter.

“It's looking good. Are expectations as a team are to be playing in the region championship and make to state for the first time in our school’s history.”

If there was ever a young man that could break through the barriers of history, Dalton is that guy.  At the moment he’s being looked at as more of a football recruit but basketball is also a possibility.

“The only visit I really set up for basketball was in Minot,” Dalton said.  “Right now I've been visiting schools for football.”

May 26th Update

Dalton Poitra spent his winter scoring 25.7 points per game hitting 48 percent of his shots, 87 percent of his free throws, and just over a third of his three-point attempts.  Not to mention he dished out six assists a game with four rebounds and four steals a contest.

Poitra has spent a lot of time at the off-guard spot hitting shots for the Phenom.  In the Spring Jam in Sioux Falls in his final game, Dalton nailed seven treys and hit the game winner for a big win over the SW Minnesota Stars.

“It has been good,” Dalton said of Grassroots play.  “The last tournament we played was great. We played as a team and we're finally starting to click. It's a good feeling when that happens. I'm excited for the rest of the year.

“This summer I just want to play a lot of games and just have fun playing with the guys from around the state.  That’s the goal of playing spring and summer ball, and playing with the Phenom.”

Dalton also wants to see his own game take big strides during his time with the Phenom.

“I feel like I am making gains in every part,” Poitra said.  “I’m in the weight room a lot and I’ve been playing a lot. I’m excited for my senior year, well mixed feeling about the senior season as it is the last season.”

The way Dalton has been able to fill it up in high school and makes shots on the spring/summer circuit college basketball will be in his future.

“I get a lot of letters from Minot State, and some other schools.”

Those other schools include Lake Region State and Bismarck State College as well.

March 25th Update

Dalton Poitra and the St. John Woodchucks won 17 of 23 games before running into Four Winds/Minnewaukan (the Class B runner) up in the regions.

They finished 17-8 on the season which was a good mark going into the future

“The top moments were going into triple overtime in districts against Dunseith and playing Four Winds in the semis in regionals and giving them all they could ask for. I loved this season and my team!”

Dalton put up 25.7 points per game while dishing out six assists, grabbing four boards, and collecting four steals a night.

“I feel that I had a solid season,” Dalton said,  “It would have been nice to go state.”

Dalton is a team focused player but he’s also a high level scorer.  He shot 48 percent from the field this year despite taking around 20 shots a game.  Poitra made 87 percent of hi 167 foul shots and made almost 35 percent of his threes.

Now he is thinking about the Spring/Summer Grassroots basketball season.

“I am really excited for North Dakota Phenom play to start,” said Poitra.  “It's always fun playing with new guys from around the state.

“My goal is to play hard every game and show the college coaches what I am capable of.”

So far the college coaches haven’t called much on the 5-foot-10, 150 pound guard but with numbers like that, they will eventually.

“I haven't really talked to anyone. I would like to stay in North Dakota and play close to my family. But if not I'm interested in playing anywhere.”

Feb 7th update

The St. John Woodchucks hold a 10-4 record after winning seven of eight games and they are one of four teams in District 8 that have a legit claim as a potential favorite.

“It is going pretty good,” said St. John junior Dalton Poitra.  “We just need to keep winning big games and have some confidence going into the tournaments.”

Confidence is definitely coming from Poitra.  This is one of the most productive juniors in the state putting up 25.3 points, 5.3 assists, 4,1 rebounds, and 3.9 steals per game as a six-foot lead guard. 

Poitra is taking between 13 and 14 shots a game shooting over 50 percent from the field and 85 percent at the foul line.  He’s also knocked out 31 treys this year a year after making an outstanding 85 of 170 treys as a sophomore (50 percent).

Poitra is just starting to have his name recognized around the upper Midwest area by college programs.  He’s only starting to get put on lists so the interest is all early but Dalton has hopes of playing college basketball.

“I haven't really talked to any college coaches,” said Poitra.  “I want to play somewhere though. Hopefully a four-year school.  I want to play somewhere big hopefully.”

Dalton went over 1,000 points for his career in early January when he produced 31 points in a blowout win over Westhope-Newbug.