Author: KJ Cardinal

Ricker’s 25 points paces Farmington past Pittsfield

By: KJ Cardinal

FARMINGTON, NH – Senior Madi Ricker poured in a game-high 25 points, including four three-pointers, to lead host Farmington past Pittsfield, 62-26, in the season opener for both teams on Friday night in The Jungle.

The Tigers were shot out of a cannon in the first quarter as they outscored the Panthers, 20-2. Ricker came out the gates hot as she scored 12 points in the first frame alone. Farmington also go 12 points on the night from freshman Shaylee DiPrizio, nine from sophomore Zoey Johnson and eight from junior Anna Cardinal.

Pittsfield was led by 12 points from Addison Clark.

The Tigers return to action on Tuesday when they host Epping, while Pittsfield hosts Portsmouth Christian Academy on Tuesday as well.

KJ Cardinal & Michael Griffin of Michael Griffin Photography were both on site. Check out their photo galleries below…

Pittsfield Girls at Farmington (12-6-24) - Michael Griffin
Pittsfield Girls at Farmington (12-6-24) – Michael Griffin
65 photos
Pittsfield Girls at Farmington (12.6.24) - KJ CARDINAL
Pittsfield Girls at Farmington (12.6.24) – KJ CARDINAL
37 photos

This is our time

We’ve waited 271 days for this… the opening day of NHIAA hoops! 

It’s 100 days from today until the Division I & II boys champs are crowned at UNH on March 15th. We have 100 days to celebrate the best game being played in the best state. It’s our favorite 100 days of the year.

We’ll be bringing you coverage from the Seacoast to the North Country and everywhere in between.  So, sit back, relax and enjoy the show as we cover Basketball in the Granite State. 

We’re Ball 603. And, this is our time…

The NH Youth Basketball Database returns

In our continued effort to provide unique coverage and services, the New Hampshire Youth Basketball Database returns for another season. This database is aimed at connecting youth basketball coaches around the state so they are able to efficiently schedule travel games, share tourney information and see what other tournaments are out there.

You can join the database by filling out the simple form we have established (linked below). Once you fill out the form, then you will be emailed a link to view the database. We will not share the link to the database publicly… only with coaches that fill out the form… so no need to worry about us sharing your personal contact information.

NOTE: This database is not for AAU programs or tournament promoters.

JOIN HERE: https://forms.gle/dC7gJmS7KYZbFGF4A

If you have any questions, please email kj@ball603.com.

#13 UMass Dartmouth rolls past Plymouth State

PLYMOUTH, NH – No. 13 UMass Dartmouth poured in 25 first-quarter points en route to a convincing 94-47 victory over host Plymouth State on Wednesday night at Foley Gymnasium.

PSU was paced by nine points and five board from Alli Ingalls (Pinkerton). In defeat, the Panthers fall to 2-6 (0-1 LEC), while the Corsairs improve to 6-0 (1-0 LEC).

Next up, Plymouth hosts Western Connecticut State on Saturday at 12:00 PM.

Check out the full gallery of the action by Connor Chrusciel…

UMass Dartmouth Women at Plymouth State (12.4.24) - CONNOR CHRUSCIEL
UMass Dartmouth Women at Plymouth State (12.4.24) – CONNOR CHRUSCIEL
23 photos

Swanson leads Panthers past UMass Dartmouth in LEC opener

PLYMOUTH, NH – Senior Eli Swanson (Inter-Lakes/Holderness School) poured in a game-high 18 points to lead Plymouth State to a come-from-behind 70-65 victory over visiting UMass Dartmouth on Wednesday night at Foley Gymnasium.

In the Little East Conference opener for both squads, the Panthers stumbled out of the gates as they spotted the Corsairs 12 points and trailed 12-0 just over four minutes into the game.

PSU clawed its way back and a back-and-forth affair ensued with 15 lead changes. Plymouth took the lead for good with just over five minutes left in the game and hung on for the victory.

With the win, the Panthers improve to 6-1 (1-0 LEC) on the season, while UMD falls to 2-4 (0-1).

Torran Bosworth and Ivan Yen (Concord) both added double figures for PSU with 11 and 10 points, respectively.

Next up, Plymouth hosts Western Connecticut State on Saturday at 2:00 PM.

Check out the full gallery of the action by Connor Chrusciel…

UMass Dartmouth Men at Plymouth State (12.4.24) - CONNOR CHRUSCIEL
UMass Dartmouth Men at Plymouth State (12.4.24) – CONNOR CHRUSCIEL
38 photos

Keene State’s Rautiola named LEC Player of the Week

Keene State’s Brynn Rautiola was named the Little East Conference Player of the Week on Monday. The sophomore guard from Rindge who starred at Conant HS averaged 31.5 PPG on the week.

Rautiola netted 27 points at Worcester State on Tuesday before pouring in a career-high 36 points, including 8 three-pointers, in the Owls first win of the season at Maine Maritime on Sunday. The 36 points was just three shy of the KSC single-game scoring mark.

Rautiola and the Owls return to Keene tonight for their home opener versus VTSU Johnson at 6:00 PM.

Grumblatt nets 2,000th career point as Rivier rolls past Plymouth State

By: KJ Cardinal

PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Senior Lyric Grumblatt (Manchester Memorial) further etched her name in the Rivier women’s basketball annals as she eclipsed the 2,000-point plateau on Tuesday night at Plymouth State. Grumblatt poured in a game-high 28 points and led the Raiders to a 55-40 victory in Foley Gym.


PSU held on to a narrow one-point lead after the first quarter of action, 13-12, but Rivier outscored the Panthers 22-12 in the second stanza to take a 34-25 edge to the locker room. The Raiders put the clamps down in the second half as they held the Panthers to just 15 second-half points. 


The win is the first of the season for Rivier, who improves to 1-5 overall, while the loss drops the Panthers to 2-5. Rachel Guinn also netted double-digits for the Raiders with 10 points. PSU was paced by 14 points from Alli Ingalls (Pinkerton) and a game-high 10 rebounds from Elli Cox (Concord).


Both squads are off for the holiday break with Riv returning to action on Dec. 3 versus Framingham State and PSU hosts UMass Dartmouth on Dec. 4.

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

Rivier Women at Plymouth State (11.26.24)
Rivier Women at Plymouth State (11.26.24)
177 photos

Weekly conference awards roll in around New Hampshire

Mondays are weekly conference award day in college basketball and a few folks from schools in the Granite State were recognized by their leagues. Check it out…

Little East Conference Player of the Week
Octavio Brito, Keene State

Keene State’s Octavio Brito was named the Little East Conference Player of the Week on Monday. The senior guard led the No. 7 Owls to a 2-0 record on the week as he averaged a hefty double-double with 28.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. In wins over Thomas and No. 25 Williams, Brito shot 54% from the field (19-35), 50% from three (9-18) and 83% from the line (10-12).

Keene State is currently ranked 7th nationally in the latest D3hoops.com rankings. The Owls are 3-0 on the season and return to action on Saturday at home versus MIT at 1:00 PM.

Northeast-10 Conference Player of the Week
Sean McCarthy, Saint Anselm

After leading Saint Anselm to a pair of victories last week, Sean McCarthy has been named Northeast-10 Conference Player of the Week.

The 6’6 senior from Ireland posted a pair of double-doubles in two contests. He tallied 14 points and 10 boards versus Saint Mike’s on Wednesday and then had 17 and 16 versus Jefferson on Saturday.

Northeast-10 Conference Rookie of the Week
Erik Oliver-Bush, Saint Anselm

Following his breakout performance last week, Saint Anselm’s Erik Oliver-Bush has been named Northeast-10 Conference Rookie of the Week.

The 6’5 guard dropped a career-high 22 points in the Hawks big win over Saint Mike’s on Wednesday and followed it up with a 15-point performance on Saturday in a 73-71 victory over Jefferson.

McCarthy named Big Ten Freshman of the Week

Purdue’s Lana McCarthy (Bedford ’24) has been named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week for the first time in her career.

The 6’4 forward averaged 15 points and 7.5 rebounds in two games on the week, shooting a scorching 61% from the floor.

McCarthy has started all five games for the 4-1 Boilermakers, with their only loss coming to No. 6 Notre Dame. She is one of nine freshman in the country to average over 11 points and 7 rebounds per game.

Next up for Purdue is the Elevance Fort Myers Tip-Off this week as the Boilermakers start the event versus Middle Tennessee on Thursday at 4:30 pm and then take on No. 4 South Carolina on Saturday at 11:00 am.