Month: January 2024

Tigers snap Mules’ seven-game win streak

By KJ Cardinal

FARMINGTON – In showdown between two of the top teams in Division IV, the Farmington girls used a 20-point third quarter to come away with a 37-35 victory and snap Newmarket’s seven-game win streak on Wednesday night in Farmington.

This one was a defensive battle from the tip. The Tigers led 8-6 after one quarter of action, but the second stanza saw just a combined eight points as Newmarket took a 12-10 lead to the break.

Both teams made halftime adjustments and came out firing in the second half. Farmington knocked down three triples in the third quarter, two coming from Madi Ricker who had eight points in the frame, as the Tigers outscored the Mules 20-17 in the third quarter.

Farmington led by as many as seven points late in the fourth quarter and hung on for the two-point victory.

The Tigers were paced by 10 points from eighth grader Shaylee DiPrizio, while Farmington got contributions from Ricker (8), Anna Cardinal (6), Zoey Johnson (6) and Jaelyn Prosper (5).

Kiara Rugora led all scorers with a game-high 13 points, while Jillian Long chipped in with eight for the Mules.

With the victory, Farmington improves to 7-2 on the season and moves into a tie with Newmarket, also 7-2, for the fifth spot in the D-IV standings.

Check out photos of the action by KJ Cardinal…

Hanover handles Bow

By Nathaniel Ford

BOW – The Hanover Bears dominated in their 12-point win on the road, 64-52, against the Bow Falcons in Division II action and improved to 6-1 on the season. 

Hanover is one of the best teams in the entire state defensively, holding teams to 27.8 points a game on average. While the score does not reflect this, they showed their dominance on the defensive end once again. 

“Our defensive success this year has been predicated on all five guys working together on the court. We’ve got individual players that are good defensively, but when we are all thinking about helping each other, we are able to contain guys like Jake [Reardon],” said Hanover coach Ben Davis.

This success was shown early in this contest, limiting the Falcons to just 2 points in the first six minutes of play. During that time, Hanover was able to pour in 9 points of their own, giving them a comfortable lead. 

The Bears continued to shut down the Falcons on the defensive end, and offensively, they were led by sophomore Ryan McLaughlin, who was averaging 14.3 points a game coming into tonight. In the first, he scored 10 points by himself, including two three-pointers. 

“He makes us go just pushing the tempo in transition. When he’s on and he’s clicking, it makes us a totally different offensive team,” said Davis. 

Bow could not get any shots to fall and knocked down just one shot from the field. Behind this stellar performance, Hanover led 16-5 going into the second.

In the second, Hanover slowed the game down, which is a tempo they have loved to play at this season. They thrive in low scoring games, which have been many of their contests this season. McLaughlin continued to lead the Hanover offense, pumping in 7 more points this quarter.

Bow continued to struggle offensively and could not get in a consistent rhythm on that end of the court. Most of their shots were heavily contested by the Bears, and they struggled to get any easy looks. Jake Reardon, who is averaging over 22 points a game, had just three points, all free throws, at halftime.

“We were swarming him tonight and making things difficult on him, which is what our goal was,” said Davis. Hanover focused on making Reardon’s life tough in this game, and it was a huge success.

Due to their stout defense, Hanover brought a large 34-17 lead into halftime. McLaughlin was leading the way with an impressive 17 points through the first two quarters.

At the start of the third quarter, Bow started to show some life. Keenan Hubbard had a big and-one basket for the Falcons, and Jacob Littlefield and Colby Smith both knocked down shots from beyond the arc. These huge baskets got the Falcon bench on their feet and cut the Hanover lead to 11 points.

However, the Bears stayed composed, and coming out of their timeout, McLaughlin knocked down a massive three-pointer to kill the momentum Bow built. A couple more Hanover baskets caused a 7-0 run and extended the lead back up to 18 points. 

Reardon got a basket inside at the buzzer, but the Hanover lead remained massive at 47-31 entering the fourth quarter. 

The Falcons needed a comeback, and they turned up the pressure. Their full-court press gave Hanover all sorts of problems, forcing a ton of turnovers. 

“Second half was a little bit different. They turned up their pressure a little bit and were doubling the ball and giving us problems. We were fortunate to build a lead so we could weather the storm there at the end,” said Davis.

This lead proved to be too large, as Bow could only cut it as low as 9 points in the final frame. When all was said and done, Hanover walked away with a 64-52 victory. 

The Bears were led by a game high 28 points from Ryan McLaughlin, and Wyatt Daigle added 11 points of his own. 

The Falcons offensive output was very balanced, with Keenan Hubbard (11), Jake Reardon (10) and Colby Smith (10) all recording double figures. 

Hanover’s improvement from last season is nothing short of spectacular. They started off last season with an 0-12 record, they have now completely flipped the script and are 6-1 this season. 

“We’ve got a big test against Manchester West on Friday at home. It should be a good game, but they’re gonna come at us with their athleticism and defensive intensity,” said Davis.

Bow fell to 3-3 after this loss and looks to bounce back on Friday in a home matchup against 2-3 Milford.

Meet the 2023-24 Profile Patriot Boys

While at The Bash, we were able to get the Profile Patriots into our studio for a fun photo shoot. Check out the 2023-24 Patriots roster and the full photo gallery from the shoot…

#NAMECL.POS.
1Josh RomanJRG
4Jackson CloughJRF
5Everrett LockeJRF
10Josh RobieSRPG
11Karsen RobieSRG
12Riley PlanteSRG
13Danny BurnellSRF
14Daryion FaustinSOG
20Bryce DiMarzioSOF
21Alex LeslieSRF
22Cayden WakehamJRG
30Noah FrancisSRG
31Bode DiMarzioSRG
34Carter CloughFRF
Head Coach: Mitchell Roy, Asst. Coaches: Jeff Woodward, John Robie  

High resolution images of this gallery are available here.

[Profile coverage is sponsored by Iron Furnace Brewing]

Meet the 2023-24 Farmington Tiger Boys

While at The Bash, we were able to get the host Farmington Tigers into our studio for a fun photo shoot. Check out the 2023-24 Farmington Tigers roster and the full photo gallery from the shoot…

#NAMECL.POS.
0Noah ElwellJRG
1Cody BrazeeSRG
2Lucas WatsonSOG
3Aiden PlaceSRG
4Shawn MurphySRF
5Demery HadgesJRF
10Anthony CushingSRG
12Dylan ZappalaSRF
21Preston BerkoSOF
22Jacob ChapmanJRF
33Jamarkas OliverJRF
Head Coach: Adam Thurston, Asst. Coaches: Nolan Chretien, Tanner Gibbs

High resolution images of this gallery are available here.

[Farmington coverage is sponsored by Farmington House of Pizza]

Meet the 2023-24 Franklin Golden Tornado Boys

While at The Bash, we were able to get the Franklin Golden Tornadoes into our studio for a fun photo shoot. Check out the 2023-24 Golden Tornadoes roster and the full photo gallery from the shoot…

#NAMEPOS.
1Zeke McCoyG
2Nathan HolmesG
5Cody WilliamsG
11Grayson McLaughlinG/F
12Vinnie TiltonG
13Zandyr LeclercC/F
15Thomas NasonF
20Matt CarlsenG/F
31Cole JohnsonF
33Jack Van PolenF/C
34Harrison KaplanG
44Matt NasonC
45Jordan CarterF
Head Coach: David Bedard

High resolution images of this gallery are available here.

Meet the 2023-24 Sanborn Indian Girls

While at The Bash, we were able to get the host Sanborn Indians into our studio for a fun photo shoot. Check out the 2023-24 Indians roster and the full photo gallery from the shoot…

#NAMECL.
1Brooke HansonSR
2Ashlyn GallantJR
3Nili ChiacchiaJR
4Kylie ThompsonSR
5Allie BezansonSR
10Ashton DiRienzoJR
11Tessa DonigianSR
12Julia RockwellJR
14Kaylee FortinFR
21Crystal KornSR
22Emma GillisSO
24Jolena FlanaganSR
25Maddy RockwellFR
33Maya ThompsonJR
Head Coach: Brian Gray

High resolution images of this gallery are available here.

[Sanborn Indian coverage is sponsored by What’s the Scoop?]

Meet the 2023-24 Farmington Tiger Girls

While at The Bash, we were able to get the host Farmington Tigers into our studio for a fun photo shoot. Check out the 2023-24 Farmington Tigers roster and the full photo gallery from the shoot…

#NAMECL.POS.
1Callie RocheleauSRF
4Madison RickerJRG
10Shaylee DiPrizio8thG
11Isabella GiglioJRG
13Zoey JohnsonFRG
15Makayla King  FRF
20Anna HebertSOG
21Mia QuituguaFRF
22Ryleigh HoganJRF
25Jaelyn ProsperJRG
30Anna CardinalSOF
Head Coach: Dawn Weeks, Asst. Coaches: Cheryl Peabody, Debbie Peabody, Jenn Haskell, Brandi Everidge, Chloe Weeks

High resolution images of this gallery are available here.

Oyster River rolls to victory over Sanborn

By Nathaniel Ford

DURHAM – The Bobcats captured a 63-56 victory at home against the visiting Indians in a Division II matchup. 

The final score does not reflect how one-sided this game was. Oyster River never trailed and led by as much as 16 points in this contest. 

“When you don’t have to chase the whole game and can play in front, that helps us relax and strategically plan the game out,” said Oyster River coach Lewis Atkins. 

They jumped out to a massive lead in the first quarter and were all over Sanborn. In the blink of an eye, it was 8-2 in the Bobcats favor, and they blew it open even more to 18-4 midway through the quarter. 

They held a double digit lead entering the second, leading 23-13. The only reason it wasn’t bigger was because of a buzzer beater three-pointer from Sanborn’s Jake Pitre, which helped slow the bleeding a little. 

A huge reason for this Oyster River lead was sophomore Matt Jernigan. He opened up the game with back-to-back three-pointers, and he ended the quarter with 12 points.

The second quarter was less one-sided than the first, but Sanborn could not expose the Oyster River defense and cut the lead down. Luca Varney and Jack Carpenter hit timely shots from beyond the arc to help extend the Bobcat lead even more. 

Sanborn’s Dylan Rego connected on a shot in transition at the buzzer, but it only cut the lead to 35-23 going into the break. Rebounding was a big factor in Oyster River’s success in the first half. 

“That is the identity we want to build in our team, and the last couple of games, we’ve done a good job,” said Atkins. The Bobcats are not the biggest team, but they rebound as a unit and work hard, which was on display tonight.

Coming out in the second half, Oyster River got in foul trouble extremely early, with three quick fouls in under two minutes of play. Sanborn was in the bonus early, which gave them plenty of chances from the foul line. 

Despite this, they could not capitalize on free throws, which were a big reason they were unable to claw back into the game. The quarter ended in a tie, and the lead remained 12 points in the Bobcats’ favor entering the fourth. 

Oyster River remained in control in the fourth quarter, just as they had the whole game. Owen Jacques and Ethan Brewer both knocked down three-pointers in the quarter, and they held a double digit lead up until the end.

They led by 13 points with time running down, but two Sanborn triples from Chase Frizzell and Dylan Rego cut it to 7 points down the wire. Nevertheless, the Bobcats ran away with the victory 63-56. 

With this win, Oyster River improves to 4-3, with two of their losses coming to Pelham and Manchester West, two top teams in the division. They are now on a two game win streak after coming into this game off of a 40 point victory over Bishop Brady.

“We just tried to put a complete game together, and I thought we did. If we can put together 32 good minutes, we can play with any team in the division,” said Atkins. The Bobcats proved tonight that they can be very competitive in Division II.

They were paced tonight by a balanced scoring attack led by 18 points from Matt Jernigan. Jack Carpenter added 10 points, while Ethan Brewer and Luca Varney each scored 9. As a team, the Bobcats knocked down 10 three-pointers. 

Sanborn was led by their scoring duo of Chase Frizzell and Dylan Rego. Frizzell scored 18 points, while Rego scored a game high 20 of his own. 

“I thought we did a good job on their two best players and making it tough for them to score. I thought we came out and set the tone there,” said Atkins.

Rego and Frizzell both averaged over 22 points a game coming into tonight, and the Bobcats were able to limit both of them to below their season averages. 

Oyster River looks to continue their win streak this Friday as they make the long trek to face a tough 4-1 Kennett team.

Sanborn falls to 2-5 after tonight and extends their losing streak to three games. They look to right the ship and bounce back on Friday in a home matchup against Bishop Brady.

[Sanborn coverage is sponsored by What’s The Scoop?]

Concord Christian rallies late to defeat Bishop Guertin in OT

Trailing by seven points entering the fourth quarter, Division II Concord Christian rallied to force overtime on the road and defeat D-I Bishop Guertin, 57-51, on Tuesday night in Nashua.

CCA’s Emma Smith was the key to the late surge by the Kingsmen as she netted 10 points in the 4th quarter and seven in the extra frame and led all scorers with a game-high 20 points. Kate Smith and Lilli Carlile added 13 points apiece, while Kayden Rioux chipped in with 10 for CCA. The Cardinals were paced by 17 points from Thalia Drapeau.

With the win, the Kingsmen remain perfect on the season (6-0) and sit tied atop the D-II standings with Oyster River. The Cardinals fall to 1-4 in defeat.

Check out the full gallery of the action by Betsy Hansen…

Saints soar past Hilltoppers

St. Thomas went on the road and soared past host Somersworth, 66-23, on Tuesday night.

The Saints jumped out to a quick 15-5 lead after one quarter of play and never looked back.

STA was led by 16 from Cole McClure and 12 from Will Mollica. The Hilltoppers were paced by 10 points from Thomas Rees.

With the win, St. Thomas improves to 7-1 on the season and currently sits at second place in the Division III standings, while Somersworth falls to 1-6.

Check out the full gallery of the action by Heidi Green…