Category: Playoffs

Milford hangs on to capture first title since 1979

By: Logan Paronto & KJ Cardinal

DURHAM, NH – Second-seeded Milford captured its first title since 1979 with a 43-36 win over No. 4 Oyster River in the NHIAA Division II Girls Basketball State Tournament at UNH on Saturday afternoon.

Vivian O’Quinn started off hot for Oyster River, draining two threes in the opening minutes of the game, to give the Bobcats a quick 6-0 lead. The Spartans chipped away at the lead and cut the lead to one, 12-11, at the end of the first quarter.

Alexia Bausha scored six points in the first and second stanzas to pace Milford. Despite her efforts, it was Oyster River who took the lead at half, 20-17.

The third quarter belonged to the Spartans who closed out the period on an 8-3 run, taking a 31-27 lead into the fourth.

The four seed would fight back in the fourth, cutting the lead to three with under two minutes remaining. Down the stretch Avery Fuller and Ellianna Nassy would close out the game from the free throw line.

Bausha scored a game-high 21 points for Milford, while Fuller added 10 of her own. O’Quinn led the way for the Bobcats win 13.

Check out the full photo gallery by Betsy Hansen…

Milford Girls vs. Oyster River (03.15.25) - BETSY HANSEN
Milford Girls vs. Oyster River (03.15.25) – BETSY HANSEN
82 photos

Perfection: Undefeated Bedford wins back-to-back D-I titles

By: Logan Paronto & KJ Cardinal

DURHAM, NH – Top-seeded Bedford completed its 22-0 perfect season and earned back-to-back NHIAA Division I state championships with a 50-44 victory over No. 2 Londonderry on Saturday evening at Lundholm Gymnasium.

The Bulldogs, who led wire-to-wire, pushed their advantage to as many as 12 points, 34-22, with 3:36 to go in the third quarter. The Lancers responded with a 15-6 run trim the Bedford cushion to three, 40-37, with 5:21 left, but Londonderry would get no closer. The Bulldogs buried eight free throws in the final 4:15 to seal the deal.

To start the game, the two teams traded buckets with Bedford leading 12-10 after the first eight minutes. Kate Allard scored seven second-quarter points to give the Bulldogs a 25-18 lead going into half.

Samantha Sullivan scored 16 of her game-high 20 points in the second-half. Allard finished with a team-high 12 while Annie Zink added 11. Brooke Eacrett scored 11 of her own to go with Sullivan’s 20.

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

Bedford Girls vs. Londonderry (03.15.25) - JEFF CRISS
Bedford Girls vs. Londonderry (03.15.25) – JEFF CRISS
219 photos

No. 6 Keene upsets No. 2 Portsmouth, advances to D-I championship game

By: Logan Paronto

ROCHESTER, NH – No. 6 Keene knocked off No. 2 Portsmouth to punch its ticket to the Division I title game for the first time since 1992 with a 61-60 state semifinal victory on Wednesday night at the Rochester Recreation Center.

The Blackbirds trailed 39-38 after three quarters before senior Javon Massiah erupted for 13 in final eight minutes to propel Keene to the championship.

Massiah would finish with a season-high 27 for Keene, while Kasen Abbott picked up 16 of his own.

Derek Swartz tallied 19 for the Clippers with Isaiah Reis adding 16 of his own.

Keene will take on top-seeded Bedford at UNH on Sunday at 4:00 p.m.

Portsmouth finishes its season with a 17-4 record.

Check out the full photo gallery by Todd Grzywacz of Stonewall Photography…

Keene Boys v Portsmouth 31225 Todd G
Keene Boys v Portsmouth 31225 Todd G
143 photos

Bedford closes out Exeter to advance to D-I title game

By: Logan Paronto

ROCHESTER, NH – Top-seeded Bedford scored 18 points in the fourth quarter en route to a 58-55 win over No. 5 Exeter in Division I semifinal action on Wednesday night at the Rochester Recreation Center.

The two sides traded buckets throughout the first half before the Bulldogs took a 30-27 lead into the locker room.

The Blue Hawks would bring the momentum into the fourth after a 16-point third quarter that gave them a 43-40 lead.

Logan O’Connell and Landon Ellsmore would break out in the fourth, combining to score 13 of Bedford’s 18 points in the quarter.

O’Connell would finish with a game-high 21 while Ellsmore finished with eight. Freshman Wiji Dak also added double-digit scoring with 12.

Exeter was paced by 17 from Nikolas Greco, while Nate McNeff (16) and Jack Thibodeau (11) rounded out the double-digit scoring.

Bedford will take on No. 6 Keene in the championship on Sunday at UNH at 4:00 p.m.

Exeter finishes its season with a 16-5 record.

Check out the full photo gallery by Todd Grzywacz of Stonewall Photography…

Bedford Boys vs. Exeter Boys (03.12.25) - Todd Grzywacz
Bedford Boys vs. Exeter Boys (03.12.25) – Todd Grzywacz
138 photos

Oyster River knocks off top-seeded Laconia, moves on to D-II final

By: Logan Paronto

DERRY, NH – No. 4 Oyster River used a 15-point fourth quarter to down top-seeded Laconia 39-36 in Division II semifinal action on Wednesday night at Pinkerton Academy.

The Bobcats would take a 17-14 lead into the half before all five starters contributed to their 15-point third quarter to give Oyster River a 32-23 edge heading into the fourth.

Laconia would surge back in the final frame, scoring 13, but Oyster River had already done enough to secure the win.

Olivia Anderson led the scoring for the Bobcats with a game-high 19 points. Vivian O’Quinn netted eight points, including the 1000th point of her career.

Macy Swormstedt tallied 17 for the Sachems with running-mate Maddy Mousseau added 11 of her own.

Oyster River will play No. 2 Milford on Saturday at UNH at 12 noon.

Laconia finishes its season with an 18-1 record.

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

Oyster River Girls vs. Laconia (03.12.25) - JEFF CRISS
Oyster River Girls vs. Laconia (03.12.25) – JEFF CRISS
91 photos

Milford punches ticket to first state final in 44 years

By: Logan Paronto

DERRY, NH – No. 3 Milford punched its ticket to the state final for the first time since 1981 with a 37-29 Division II semifinal win over No. 2 Derryfield on Wednesday night at Pinkerton Academy.

The Spartans led 26-25 heading in the final frame before holding the Cougars to just four points in the last quarter.

Claire Cote scored 11 to pace Milford, while Angie Kenison tallied 10 for Derryfield.

Milford will match up against No. 4 Oyster River at UNH on Saturday at 12 noon.

Derryfield ends its season with a 17-4 overall record.

Check out the full photo gallery by Michael Griffin…

Derryfield Girls vs Milford (3-12-25) Michael Griffin
Derryfield Girls vs Milford (3-12-25) Michael Griffin
123 photos

Unbeaten Bedford ends CCA’s postseason run, advances to D-I final

By: KJ Cardinal

EXETER, NH – Unbeaten, top-seed Bedford used a 29-14 first half to cruise to a 58-34 victory over No. 4 Concord Christian in Division I semifinal action on Monday night at Exeter High School.

The Kingsmen loss snaps their 13-game postseason win streak and ends their quest at four-straight state championships, one in each of the four divisions. CCA had won the 2022 Division IV crown, the 2023 D-III title and the 2024 D-II championship.

Bedford, who moves to a perfect 21-0 on the season, was led by a trio of double-digit scorers: Mel McCarthy (13 points) and 10 apiece from Sarah Muir and Juliet Laws. CCA was paced by a game-high 14 points from Lilli Carlisle and 11 from Emma Smith.

Bedford will take on No. 2 Londonderry in the finals at 4:00 PM on Saturday at UNH.

Check out the full photo gallery by Michael Griffin…

Bedford Girls vs Concord Christian (3-10-25) - Michael Griffin
Bedford Girls vs Concord Christian (3-10-25) – Michael Griffin
107 photos

Pembroke finishes off Pelham to advance to D-II final

By: KJ Cardinal

ROCHESTER, NH – Top-seeded Pembroke used a 21-8 fourth quarter to finish off No. 4 Pelham, 57-42, in Division II semifinal action on Monday night at the Rochester Recreation Center.

The Spartans advance to the title game to take on No. 3 Sanborn on Sunday at 12 noon at UNH.

Pembroke controlled the game throughout as the Spartans jumped out to a 13-6 lead after one quarter and later led 29-20 at the break. Pelham cut into the lead in the third quarter as the Pythons trailed by just two entering the final stanza, 36-34. But, the fourth quarter belong to Pembroke as they rolled to the victory.

Andrew Fitzgerald led all scorers with 18 points for the Spartans, while Evan Berkeley added 13. Pelham was paced by 13 points from Brady O’Connor.

Check out the full photo gallery by KJ Cardinal…

Pembroke Boys vs. Pelham (03.10.25) - KJ CARDINAL
Pembroke Boys vs. Pelham (03.10.25) – KJ CARDINAL
114 photos

Fourth-quarter flurry sends Sanborn to D-II final

By: Logan Paronto

ROCHESTER, NH – No. 3 Sanborn used a 19-point fourth quarter to pull away late and defeat No. 7 Oyster River 69-59 in semifinal action of the Division II state tournament on Monday night at the Rochester Recreation Center.

The Indians will make their first-ever appearance in the D-II championship on Sunday as they take on No. 1 Pembroke at UNH at 12 noon.

Dylan Rego (21 points) and Chase Frizzell (20) continued their playoff dominance in the win while Brandon Sarette added 12 of his own to the box score.

Matt Jernigan paced the scoring for the Bobcats with 16, with Brendan Kirby and Max Scopel both adding 14.

Oyster River finishes its season with a 15-6 record.

Check out the full photo gallery by KJ Cardinal…

Sanborn Boys vs. Oyster River (03.11.25) - KJ CARDINAL
Sanborn Boys vs. Oyster River (03.11.25) – KJ CARDINAL
137 photos

Strong second half sends Londonderry past Windham to D-I final

By: Logan Paronto

EXETER, NH – No. 2 Londonderry used a 35-18 second half to defeat No. 3 Windham, 51-36, in semifinal action on Monday night at Exeter High School.

The Jaguars owned a tight 18-16 lead at the half before the Lancers caught fire in the second half, outscoring the third seed 35-18 to punch their ticket to the final.

Sammie Sullivan came up big for Londonderry, scoring 16 of her game-high 28 in the second half. Running-mate Gemma Murray added 11 in the victory.

Gabby Gulifa headlined the scoring for Windham with 14 and Rileigh Finneran added 12 of her own.

Londonderry will take on undefeated top seed Bedford in the finals at 4:00 PM on Saturday at UNH.

Windham ends its season with an 18-3 record.

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

Londonderry Girls vs. Windham (03.10.25) - JEFF CRISS
Londonderry Girls vs. Windham (03.10.25) – JEFF CRISS
101 photos