Month: February 2024

Pinkerton hands Bedford first loss of the season

Unbeaten no more. Behind a game-high 35 points from Jackson Marshall, Pinkerton handed visiting Bedford its first loss of the season, 91-79, on Friday night in front of a packed house in Derry.

In a rematch of last season’s Division I championship game, this one felt like another title bout. And, well, we wouldn’t be surprised in the least if these two square off in one month from the today for the state’s top crown.

This one was a track meet from the opening tip as both teams came out firing and were tied 22-22 after one quarter of play. The Astros would later take a three-point lead to the break, 39-36.

A quick 6-0 run to open the second half gave Pinkerton a nine-point lead, 45-36, and the Astros were rolling. They would take a 62-55 lead to the final frame and pushed past the Bulldogs for the 12-point victory.

Joining Marshall in double digits for Pinkerton was Charlie Ludden (21), Drew Brander (15) and Christian Brander (13). Luke Soden paced Bedford with 25 points, while Niko Badoin (17), Brady O’Connell (16), Austin Kasyjanski (11) and Thomas Braga (10) all netted double figures as well.

With the win, the Astros improve to 14-1 on the season and holds the head-to-head breaker over the Bulldogs (14-1).

Check out the full photo gallery of the action by Cindy Lavigne of Lavigne’s Live Shots…

Farmington downs Franklin, ends regular season 15-3

Farmington held Franklin to just two 2nd-quarter points and then poured in 23 points in the 3rd to roll to a 57-38 victory on Friday night.

The Tigers were led by 14 points from Shawn Murphy and 11 from Demery Hadges. Zeke McCoy led all scorers with 19 points for the Golden Tornadoes.

Farmington finishes the regular-season with a 15-3 record and currently sits 4th in the Division IV standings. Franklin snaps its three-game win streak and falls to 11-6.

Check out the full photo gallery by KJ Cardinal…

Fast start fuels Farmington past Franklin

Farmington poured in 22 first-quarter points and ran past Franklin, 53-32, on Friday night.

The Tigers led 33-22 at the break and then held the Golden Tornadoes to just two 3rd-quarter points to blow the game open.

Farmington was led by a game-high 19 points from Madi Ricker, while Kourtney Kaplan paced Franklin with 18.

With the win, the Tigers close out the regular season with a 13-5 mark and currently sits in fifth place in the Division IV standings. The Golden Tornadoes fall to 10-7 and end their regular season on Tuesday versus Holy Family.

Check out the full gallery of the action by KJ Cardinal…

6 Unbeatens Remain

By: KJ Cardinal & Jayda Davis

It’s crunch time in NHIAA basketball with state tournament play looming right around the corner. While some teams are vying to just make the playoffs or perhaps secure a coveted home game, there are six well-oiled machines around the Granite State that are still in search of perfection.

Let’s take a look at the six remaining unbeatens…

Division I Boys: Bedford

Bedford’s Luke Soden leads the Bulldogs with 26.5 PPG. [📸 Todd Grzywacz]

Frank Moreno’s Bulldogs have their sights set on back-to-back state titles and with a perfect 14-0 mark, it’s hard not to think they’ll get there. Bedford’s high-octane offense is averaging a scorching 81.1 points per game and winning by nearly 24 points per contest.

Luke Soden has been nothing short of amazing this season, pouring in 26.5 PPG, while Brady O’Connell (15.5 PPG) and Austin Kasyjanski (13.7 PPG) are the mainstays for the Bulldog fire power.

Bedford has only played in three games this season that were decided by single digits, with a three-point win over Manchester Memorial being the biggest test thus far for the Bulldogs. However, that may all change tonight as Bedford heads to Derry to take on 13-1 Pinkerton in a rematch of last year’s championship game. You can watch that game live here (PPV).

Division I Girls: Bedford & Pinkerton

Pinkerton’s Elizabeth Lavoie leads the Astros with 20.0 PPG. [📸 Jill Stevens]

In what could be a preview of the 2024 title game, it’s a battle of the unbeatens tonight in Bedford when the Bulldogs (14-0) host Pinkerton (14-0). You can watch that game live here (FREE).

These two squads have been absolutely steam-rolling the rest of the division. Bedford is winning by an average margin of 42.9 PPG. The Bulldogs six-point victory, 56-50, at Portsmouth back on Jan. 23 is their only win this season coming by less than 30 points. Let that sink in for a second.

Pinkerton is also winning by a 31.6-point clip with their closest game being a 17-point victory at Dover on Jan. 26. Lani Buskey’s Astros are led by the top scorer in the division Elizabeth Lavoie (20.0 PPG) and two other double-digit scorers: Sydney Gerossie (15.5) and Brooke Benz (10.2).

Bedford’s Lana McCarthy leads the Bulldogs with 13.9 PPG. [📸 Cindy Lavigne]

Kevin Gibbs’ Bulldogs boast the most dominant player in the state with Lana McCarthy. The McDonald’s All-American Game nominee is averaging 13.9 PPG in often limited minutes due to Bedford’s 40+ point victories. The Purdue commit is paired with Kate Allard (13.4 PPG) to form an extremely tough duo.

Division IV Boys: Profile
The 16-0 little town of Bethlehem Profile Patriots could be the most fun team to watch in the state. This group of perennial north-country underdogs is not only the divisions top dog this season, but one of the top teams in the state, regardless of division. Period.

Profile’s Josh Robie leads the Patriots with 26.4 PPG. [📸 KJ Cardinal]

We’ve witnessed first-hand the Patriots defeat opponents from all four Divisions and Mitchell Roy’s squad would most definitely compete with any foe put in front of them. The biggest reasons for this: seniors Josh Robie and Alex Leslie.

While his shot may look unorthodox, Robie (26.4 PPG) is an absolute sniper from deep and his improved mid-range game and playmaking abilities are the driving force behind Profile’s perfect start. Leslie (19.8 PPG) is one of the most athletic bigs in the division and his ability to get downhill and finish on opponents can be deadly at times.

Seemingly always in the way for Profile has been Woodsville and Littleton. The Patriots have knocked off Woodsville once this season and twice defeated the Crusaders, including a five-point win, 62-57, on Jan. 31. Profile heads to Woodsville tonight in the final big regular-season test remaining for the Patriots.

Division II Girls: Concord Christian

CCA’s Emma Smith leads the Kingsmen with 19.2 PPG. [📸 KJ Cardinal]

When we said “well-oiled machines”, the first team that comes to mind is Concord Christian. After winning the Division IV crown two years ago and the D-III title last season, the 12-0 Kingsmen seem poised to earn the D-II championship this March.

Rebecca Carlile’s squad simply wears teams down. There isn’t a more conditioned team in the state and CCA’s uptempo style, defensive prowess and the ability to take care of the rock is a brand of basketball that is impressive to watch.

Leading the way for the Kingsmen is Emma Smith (19.2 PPG) and Lilli Carlile (18.6). CCA has already taken care of business twice this season versus the 2nd and 3rd ranked teams with wins over Laconia and Pembroke. The Kingsmen head to Laconia on Feb. 15 for the biggest remaining challenge on the regular-season slate.

Division IV Girls: Littleton

Littleton’s Addison Hadlock is averaging 10.1 PPG for the Crusaders.[📸 KJ Cardinal]

If defense wins championships, then we could certainly see Littleton cutting down the nets at Colby-Sawyer College on March 2nd.

The Crusaders are holding teams to a minuscule 30.7 PPG and winning by an average margin of 27.3 PPG. Only three teams have been able to reach the 40-point plateau versus Littleton all season long.

Dale Prior’s balanced offense is led by a trio of double-digit scorers: Lauryn Corrigan (10.8 PPG), Addison Pilgrim (10.2) and Addison Hadlock (10.1).

The last tough test for the Crusaders this regular season will come tonight as Littleton hosts 15-1 Groveton. The Crusaders escaped Groveton with a narrow five-point win, 39-34, in a defensive battle back on Jan. 5.

Third quarter propels Alvirne past Londonderry

Alvirne used a 23-point third quarter to propel the Broncos to a 58-52 win at Londonderry on Wednesday night.

The Broncos jumped out to a quick 14-5 lead after one quarter of play, but a buzzer-beating three by Ryan Williams to end the half knotted the game at 21-21.

Alvirne came out firing in the 3rd quarter, pumping in 23 points, including three 3-pointers, to take a 9-point lead to the final frame. Mason Paquette poured in four triples in the 4th for Londonderry, but it wasn’t enough as Alvirne hung on for the win.

Aiden Mills led Alvirne with 16 points, while Sammy Dewitt and Alejandro Valenzuela added 13 and 10 points, respectively. Londonderry was led by Paquette (16), Ty Miles (12) and Williams (10).

With the win, Alvirne improves to 7-6 on the season, while Londonderry falls to 5-8.

Check out the full photo gallery of the action by Juliette Tarsa…

Sanborn goes on the road and downs Plymouth

Behind a game-high 17 points from Emma Gillis, the Sanborn girls went on the road and defeated Plymouth, 49-42, on Thursday night.

KK Merrifield paced the Bobcats with 14 points and Kiara Brown added 13.

With the win, Sanborn improves to 4-10 on the season, while Plymouth falls to 4-10.

Check out the full photo gallery of the action by John Scott Sherburne…