Author: KJ Cardinal

Bedford wins first-ever state title

By: KJ Cardinal

DURHAM – Top-seeded Bedford captured its first basketball state title in school history as the Bulldogs defeated No. 2 Pinkerton, 66-56, to come away with the 2023 NHIAA Division I Boys Basketball State Championship on Sunday night at the University of New Hampshire in Durham.

It was a back-and-forth affair early on in a game that saw eight lead changes and nine ties. Bedford (20-1) led 14-10 after the first quarter, but then trailed 25-23 at the intermission. The second half belonged to the Bulldogs as they outscored Pinkerton (20-2) 18-14 in the third and 25-17 in the final frame to away with the 10-point win.

Bedford’s Luke Soden poured in a game-high 26 points, while Aiden O’Connell (22 points) and Brady O’Connell (10) added double digits as well. Jackson Marshall paced Pinkerton with 16 points and 15 rebounds. Anthony Chinn (13) and Sean Jenkins (11) chipped in for the Astros.

Check out the full photo gallery…

McLellan’s clutch free throws lifts Kennett to D-II crown

By: KJ Cardinal

DURHAM – Trailing by one with no time on the clock, Kennett’s Kaylee McLellan went to the line and buried two clutch free throws to give the second-seeded Eagles a 38-37 victory over top-seeded and unbeaten Bow, capturing the 2023 NHIAA Division II Girls Basketball State Championship on Sunday at the University of New Hampshire.

As the final seconds ticked away, McLellan received the ball at the top of key from Sydnie Chin and drove to the right to throw up a desperation runner. The final buzzer sounded and the Falcons bench flooded the court to celebrate an apparent championship, but there was a whistle and a foul called.

The court was cleared and McLellan went to the line with no time on the clock and no rebounders in the lane to give head coach Larry Meaders’ Eagles a dramatic one-point win and their third-ever Division II title and their first since 2010.

The Eagles (21-1) came ready to play as they jumped out to an 11-7 lead after one quarter, led 25-15 at half and held a 12-point lead with 6:49 left in the third quarter. The Falcons (20-1) weren’t ready to give up though as their vaunted defense held Kennett scoreless for the next five minutes as they went on a 14-0 run to take a 29-27 lead with 1:52 on the clock.

The game was tied at 31-31 entering the fourth quarter, which would be a grind between the two best defensive teams in the division. The two teams combined combined to shoot just 4-16 from the field in the final stanza before setting up McLellan’s game-winning heroics.

While the game ended with two of the most clutch free throw in tournament history by McLellan, the game could be seen as being ultimately decided at the charity stripe. The Eagles were an impressive 11-13 from the line as a team (84.6%) and the Falcons were just 7-13 (53.8%). McLellan alone was a perfect 8-8.

Bow’s Bella LaPerle led all scorers with a game-high 15 points and teammate Alex Larabee added 13. McLellan (14) and Chin (10) both netted double figures to lead Kennett.

Check out the full photo gallery by our own Jill Stevens…

Girls Division I All-State released

The 2022-23 New Hampshire Basketball Coaches Organization announced the Division I Girls All-State teams along with annual award winners on Thursday. Goffstown senior Ava Winterburn was named Player of the Year, while Portsmouth head coach Tim Hopley was named Varsity Coach of the Year to headline the awards.

Joining Winterburn on the first team is Lana McCarthy of Bedford, Elizabeth Lavoie of Pinkerton, Brooke Paquette of Bishop Guertin, Kate Allard of Bedford and Avery Romps of Portsmouth.

Check out the full awards below…

Division I Boys All-State unveiled

The 2022-23 New Hampshire Basketball Coaches Organization announced the Division I Boys All-State teams along with annual award winners on Thursday. Trinity junior Tyler Bike was named Player of the Year, while Nashua North head coach Steve Lane was named Varsity Coach of the Year to headline the awards.

Joining Bike on the first team is Luke Soden of Bedford, Jackson Marshall of Pinkerton, Aiden O’Connell of Bedford, Trevor Labrecque of Nashua North and Anthony Chinn of Pinkerton.

Check out the full awards below…

Division II Girls All-State released

The 2022-23 New Hampshire Basketball Coaches Organization announced the Division II Girls All-State teams along with annual award winners on Thursday. Pelham junior Jasmine Becotte was named Player of the Year, while Kennett head coach Larry Meader was named Varsity Coach of the Year to headline the awards.

Joining Becotte on the first team is Macy Swormstedt of Laconia, Alex Larrabee of Bow, Sydney McLaughlin of Hanover, Annelise Dexter of Pembroke and Kaley Goodhart of Kennett.

Check out the full awards below…

Division II Boys All-State announced

The 2022-23 New Hampshire Basketball Coaches Organization announced the Division II Boys All-State teams along with annual award winners on Thursday. Laconia junior Keaton Beck was named Player of the Year, while Laconia head coach Stephen McDonough was named Varsity Coach of the Year to headline the awards.

Joining Beck on the first team is Angel Castro of Manchester West, Kayden Roberts also of Laconia, Matt Canavan of Souhegan, Joe Gutwein of ConVal and Mike Strazzeri of Pembrok. Check out the full awards below…

Division IV Girls All-State picks released

The 2022-23 New Hampshire Basketball Coaches Organization announced the Division IV Girls All-State teams along with annual award winners on Thursday. Sunapee senior Elizabeth Tschudin was named Player of the Year, while Woodsville head coach Tori Clough was named Varsity Coach of the Year to headline the awards.

Joining Tschudin on the first team is Addison Hadlock of Littleton, Ariana Lord of Colebrook, Marissa Kenison of Groveton, Lena Nicholson of Newmarket and Delaney Whiting also of Groveton. Check out the full awards below…

Division IV Boys All-State selections announced

The 2022-23 New Hampshire Basketball Coaches Organization announced the Division IV boys All-State teams along with annual award winners on Thursday. Concord Christian sophomore Brode Frink was named Player of the Year, while Woodsville head coach Jamie Walker was named Varsity Coach of the Year to headline the awards.

Joining Frink on the first team is Cam Davidson of Woodsville, Jack Krasnof of Derryfield, Josh Robie of Profile, Cam Clermont of Lin-Wood and Kayden Hoskins of Littleton. Check out the full awards below…

Bow returns to title game with semifinal win over Laconia

KINGSTON – Top-seeded Bow defeated No. 5 Laconia, 42-35, on Wednesday night in the semifinals of the NHIAA Division II Girls Basketball State Tournament at Sanborn Regional High School in Kingston. 

The Falcons advance to Sunday’s title game where they will take on No. 2 Kennett at the University of New Hampshire at 1:00 pm. 

Bow got off to a slow start as they trailed 12-9 after one quarter of play, but the Eagles held the Sachems to four points in the second to take a 17-16 lead to the break. 

The second half was hard-fought, but Bow won both quarters and hung on for the seven-point win.

Lyndsey LaPerle pumped in a game-high 16 points to pace Bow, while Juliette Tarsa chipped in with 14 of her own.

Ashlynn Deluca (11 points) and Macy Swormstedt (10) led Laconia in the loss. 

With the win, the Falcons advance to the D-II title game for the second-straight season.

Check out the full photo gallery by our Jill Stevens…