Month: March 2025

March 9, 2025March 9, 2025

No. 6 Keene upsets No. 3 Trinity, moves on to semifinals

By: KJ Cardinal

MANCHESTER, NH – No. 6 Keene went on the road and upset No. 3 Trinity, 59-58, on Saturday to advance to the semifinal round of the Division I state tournament.

The Blackbirds were paced by a trio of double-digit scorers as Javon Massiah netted 16 points and Jamal Stanley and Alex Holmes scored 10 points apiece.

The Pioneers were led by 18 points from Xander McBournie and 13 from Shawn O’Neil.

Keene advances to the semis to take on No. 2 Portsmouth on Wednesday at the Rochester Recreation Center at 5:30 p.m.

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

March 9, 2025March 9, 2025

Oyster River shatters three-point mark, moves to semis

By: KJ Cardinal

DURHAM, NH – No. 4 Oyster River knocked down a Division II girls tournament record 14 three-pointers as the Bobcats eased past No. 5 Pembroke, 66-48, in quarterfinal action of the D-II tourney on Saturday.

Vivian O’Quinn poured in a game-high 26 points, including six three pointers, to pace Oyster River and Wren Horne added 16 points with four threes. Caitlin Klein and Olivia Anderson netted 10 points apiece, each knocking down a pair of triples as well. For the game, Oyster River made just eight two-point fields goals.

The Bobcats broke their own 22-year-old record from 2003 when Oyster River made eight threes versus ConVal. The game also set the mark for the most combined threes made in a D-II girls tourney game with 20 as the Spartans made six trifectas.

The Spartans were led by 13 points, including three from deep, by Hailey Steinmetz, and 11 points from Anne Phillips.

The Bobcats advance to the semifinals and will take on top-seeded Laconia on Wednesday at Pinkerton Academy at 7:00 pm.

Check out the photo gallery by Michael Griffin…

Pembroke Girls at Oyster River (03.08.25) – Michael Griffin

66 photos

March 9, 2025March 9, 2025

Strong start sends Bedford past Windham to D-I semis

By: KJ Cardinal

BEDFORD, NH – Top-seeded Bedford raced out to a 33-22 lead at the break and hung on to defeat No. 9 Windham, 66-59, on Saturday in quarterfinal action of the Division I state tournament.

The Bulldogs advance to the semifinal round to take on No. 5 Exeter on Wednesday at the Rochester Recreation Center at 7:30 p.m.

Logan O’Connell led Bedford with 23 points, while Landon Ellsmore and Connor O’Rourke netted 17 points apiece. The Jaguars were paced by a game-high 27 points from Jack Koutrobis and 13 from Jack Murphy.

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

March 9, 2025March 9, 2025

No. 5 Exeter knocks off No. 4 Nashua South

By: KJ Cardinal

NASHUA, NH – Fifth-seeded Exeter went on the road and defeated No. 4 Nashua South, 60-44, on Saturday in quarterfinal action of the Division I state tournament.

The Blue Hawks jumped out to a 16-8 lead after one quarter of play and took a 25-20 lead to the locker room. Exeter would outscore the host Panthers 35-24 in the second half to come away with the victory.

Nate McNuff led all scorers with a game-high 21 points for Exeter, while Nikolas Greco (19) and Tyler Ream (11) netted double-digits as well. South was paced by Josh Caruso’s 15 points.

The Blue Hawks move on to the state semifinals and will take on top-seeded Bedford on Wednesday at the Rochester Recreation Center at 7:30 p.m.

Check out the full photo gallery by Jill Stevens…

Exeter Boys at Nashua South (03.8.25) – Jillana Stevens

121 photos

March 9, 2025March 9, 2025

Strong second half sends Laconia past Pelham to semis

By: KJ Cardinal

LACONIA, NH – Top-seeded Laconia outscored No. 8 Pelham by nine in the second half to pull away to a 61-48 victory in quarterfinal action of the Division II state tournament on Saturday.

Macy Swormstedt led all scorers with a game-high 27 points for the Sachems, while Madeline Mousseau added 14.

The Pythons were paced by 19 points from Ava Milley and 10 from Addie Breault.

Laconia advances to take on No. 4 Oyster River in the state semifinal at Pinkerton Academy on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.

Check out the full photo gallery by JS Sherburne…

Pelham Girls at Laconia (03.08.25) – JS Sherburne

96 photos

March 9, 2025March 9, 2025

Portsmouth survives Memorial, advances to D-I semifinals

By: KJ Cardinal

PORTSMOUTH, NH – Behind a game-high 25 points from freshman Derek Swartz, No. 2 Portsmouth survived No. 10 Manchester Memorial, 64-61, on Saturday to advance to the Division I semifinals.

The Clippers jumped out to a 16-11 lead after one quarter of play and later led 35-31 at the break. The Crusaders would cut the lead to one heading to the final frame, 51-50, but Portsmouth was able to hang on for the victory.

Ryan Swartz returned to the line up for Portsmouth and netted seven points, all coming in the first half.

Jack Brooks paced Memorial with 23 points, while Bory Bory added 15.

Portsmouth moves on to the semifinal round to take on No. 6 Keene on Wednesday at the Rochester Recreation Center at 5:30 p.m.

Check out the full photo gallery by Michael Griffin…

Manchester Memorial Boys at Portsmouth (03.08.25) – Michael Griffin

99 photos

March 9, 2025March 9, 2025

Milford handles Coe-Brown, advances to D-II semis

By: KJ Cardinal

MILFORD, NH – Second-seeded Milford used a strong second half to advance to the Division II semifinals as the Spartans defeated No. 10 Coe-Brown 55-42 on Saturday.

The Spartans were led by 14 points from Shea Hansen who knocked down four first-half three-pointers to give Milford a 26-21 lead at the break. Avery Fuller added 12 for the Spartans.

Coe-Brown was paced by a game-high 19 points from Hannah Meehan.

Milford moves on to play No. 3 Derryfield in semifinal action on Wednesday at Pinkerton Academy at 5:00 p.m.

Check out the full photo gallery by Betsy Hansen…

Coe-Brown Girls at Milford (03.08.25) – BETSY HANSEN

54 photos

March 9, 2025March 9, 2025

Undefeated: Woodsville tops Littleton in OT thriller for D-IV title

By: KJ Cardinal

NEW LONDON, NH – Top-seeded Woodsville completed its perfect 22-0 season with a thrilling 51-48 overtime victory versus No. 3 Littleton to capture the 2025 NHIAA Division IV Boys Basketball State Championship on Saturday afternoon at Colby-Sawyer College.

In the first-ever championship meeting between these North Country foes, neither team could gain much separate throughout the contest. Littleton led by one after one, 11-10, but Woodsville took a three-point lead to the locker room, 29-26.

The Crusaders responded in the third quarter to take a one-point advantage to the fourth, 35-34. In the final frame of regulation, Littleton’s leading scorer Sam Reagey fouled out with under two minutes to go and a pair of Logan Poulton three-pointers helped the Crusaders force overtime at 45-45.

In the extra session a Jacob Putnam three-pointer was the only field goal for the Engineers, while Ryan Walker went 3-for-4 from the charity stripe to seal the win for Woodsville.

Walker led all scorers with a game-high 19 points for the Engineers. Sam Reagey posted 16 points before fouling out, while Conner Roy added 10 for the Crusaders.

Check out the full photo gallery of the action by Jeff Criss of Perfect Photos…

Woodsville Boys vs. Littleton (03.08.25) – JEFF CRISS

132 photos

March 8, 2025March 8, 2025

Groveton wins D-IV title, snaps Littleton’s 43-game win streak

By: KJ Cardinal

NEW LONDON, NH – No. 3 Groveton snapped top-seeded Littleton’s 43-game unbeaten streak, 36-33, en route to the 2025 NHIAA Division IV Girls Basketball State Championship on Saturday afternoon at Colby-Sawyer College.

With the win, the Eagles add to their state record title count with championship number 17.

The two North Country squads played the opening frame even, 7-7. Groveton built a nine-point lead through three quarters as the Eagles led 33-24 heading to the final stanza.

The Crusaders held Groveton without a field goal over the final eight minutes and won the quarter 9-3, but they came up short.

The Eagles were led by 10 points from Mylee Kenison, while Addison Pilgrim paced Littleton with 10 of her own.

Check out the full photo gallery by Jeff Criss of Perfect Photos…

Groveton Girls vs. Littleton (03.08.25) – JEFF CRISS

245 photos

March 8, 2025March 8, 2025

Top-seeded Pembroke handles No. 9 Bow in quarterfinal play

By: Logan Paronto

PEMBROKE, NH – Top-seeded Pembroke punched its ticket to the final four with a 74-60 win over No. 9 Bow on Friday night in Division II quarterfinal action.

Devin Riel led the way for the home side, dropping a team-high 22 points, including five from beyond the arc. Running-mate Evan Berkeley added 21 of his own to the box score for the Spartans.

Jake Reardon paced the scoring for the Falcons with 21 points and Brendan O’Keefe added 17.

Pembroke will take on No. 4 Pelham in semifinal action on Monday, March 10th at Rochester Recreation Center.

Bow finishes its season with a 13-7 record.

Check out the full photo gallery by Jeff Criss of Perfect Photos…