Category: Playoffs

Top-seeded Bedford survives OT scare from Trinity, advances to semis

By: KJ Cardinal

The top-seeded Bedford Bulldogs survived an overtime scare from eighth-ranked and defending champion Trinity, 93-91, on Sunday night in NHIAA Division I quarterfinal action.

The Bulldogs advance to the semifinals where they will take on #4 Nashua South on Wednesday at 7:30 pm.

If you like high octane offense, then this game was for you. The contest featured three players with 36 points or more as both teams combined for 184 points and 22 threes (Trinity 14, Bedford 8).

Tyler Bike got the offensive onslaught started as he pumped in 17 first quarter points, including five threes. Trinity took a 29-17 lead after the first stanza and later held a 45-35 advantage at the break.

Luke Soden carried the load for Bedford in the first half as he scored 21 of the Bulldogs 35 points, including three triples of his own.

Over the final 16 minutes of regulation, the Bulldogs would claw their way back as Aiden O’Connell netted 12 points in each of the final two quarters to help force overtime at 79-79.

The extra frame belonged to O’Connell as he poured in 10 points to lead Bedford to the dramatic come-from-behind victory.

Soden (42 points) and O’Connell (36) combined for 78 points to lead the Bulldogs to victory. For Trinity, Tyler Bike amassed 39 points, including a perfect 10-10 from the charity stripe. Also netting double-figures for the Pioneers was DeVohn Ellis (16), Kevin Doherty (10) and Shawn O’Neil (10).

Check out highlights of the action by own Tim Lee…

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

Woodsville completes three-peat

It’s a three-peat for the Woodsville Engineers as they defeated Holy Family, 57-49, to capture their third straight NHIAA Division IV Boys Basketball State Championship on Sunday evening at Colby-Sawyer College in New London. 

Following the game, Cam Davidson and Landon Kingsbury caught up with Andy Romike in the latest Romike Report…

Check out the full photo gallery by our KJ Cardinal…

Check out the full photo gallery by Shirley Nickles…

Colebrook crowned champs

Second-seeded Colebrook defeated top-ranked Groveton, 47-44, to capture the 2023 NHIAA Division IV Girls Basketball State Championship on Sunday afternoon at Colby-Sawyer College in New London.

The Mohawks were led by Ariana Lord (12 points), Emma McKeage (11) and Haley Rossitto. Delaney Whiting paced the Eagles with a game-high 16 points on 3-5 shooting from beyond the arc. Marissa Kenison also added double-figures for Groveton with 12 points.

After leading the Mohakws to the title, Lord, McKeage and Rossitto caught up with Andy Romike in the latest Romike Report…

Check out the full photo gallery by our own KJ Cardinal…

Check out the full photo gallery by our Shirley Nickles…

Bedford eases to semifinals with win over Memorial

Third-seeded Bedford cruised to a 67-37 win over #14 Manchester Memorial on Friday night in quarterfinal action of the Division I girls state tournament.

The Bulldogs advance to the semifinals where they will take on #2 Portsmouth on Tuesday at 5:30 pm.

Lana McCarthy led all scorers with a game-high 19 points for Bedford, while Kate Allard (17) and Sydney Grogan (10) chipped in with double figures as well.

Madison Pepra-Omani paced the Crusaders with 13 points.

Check out the full gallery by John-Scott Sherburne…

Pelham powers past West, advances to semis

Fifth-seeded Pelham went on the road and knocked off #4 Manchester West in convincing fashion, 77-57, on Friday night in quarterfinal action of the Division II state tournament.

The Pythons advance to the semifinals where they will take on #1 Laconia on Tuesday at Sanborn Regional High School at 7:30 pm.

Pelham started and finished extremely strong as they used a 19-6 first quarter and a 36-12 fourth quarter to cruise to the 20-point victory.

Zach James (27 points) and Dom Herrling (24) combined for 51 points to pace the Pythons in the win.

Aiden Scott-Beaulac led West with 15 points, while Tevin Edmunds (12) and Angel Castro (11) both netted double figures as well.

Check out the highlights by our Tim Lee…

Pelham plows past Plymouth, advances to quarters

Third-seeded Pelham cruised to a 69-17 victory over #14 Plymouth in Division II first round action on Wednesday night. 

The Pythons advance to take on #6 Milford on Saturday at 7:00 pm.

Jazmine Becotte poured in a game-high 28 points for Pelham, while nine other Pythons scored in the game as well. 

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

Nashua North cruises past Londonderry, rolls to quarterfinals

Third-seeded Nashua North cruised past #14 Londonderry, 83-46, in Division I first round action on Wednesday night.

The Titans advance to the quarterfinals where they will play host to #6 Exeter on Saturday at 7:00 pm.

Jack Sullivan pumped in a game-high 16 points for North, while other Titans also reached double-digits: Jack Peters (15 points), Robinson Rodriguez (15) and Jayden Montgomery (11).

The Lancers were led by 11 points from Kevin Rourke and 10 from Mason Paquette.

Check out the full gallery by Dave Beliveau…

Concord closes out Dover, moves to quarterfinals

Ninth-seeded Concord used an 18-point fourth-quarter to come-from-behind and close out #8 Dover, 46-42, on Wednesday night.

The Green Wave led 31-28 entering the final frame, but the Crimson Tide outscored Dover 18-11 to come away with the four-point win and advance to the quarterfinals. The Crimson Tide will now take on top-seeded Bishop Guertin on Friday at 7:00 pm.

Concord was led by a balanced scoring attacked as it featured three players in double figures: Aidah Smalley (14 points), Delaney Duford (13) and Whitney Valliant (10). Dover was paced by a game-high 21 points from Abi Kozlowski and 10 from Lily Nosiff.

Check out the full photo gallery by Heidi Green of Heidi Green Photography…

Coe-Brown downs Bow, advances to quarters

Sixth-seeded Coe-Brown dispatched #11 Bow, 70-50, in Division II first round action in Northwood on Wednesday night.

CBNA advances to the quarterfinal round where they will host rival #14 Oyster River on Friday at 7:00 pm.

The Bears were led by a game-high 24 points from Hugh Hamilton and three other double-figure scorers: Brady Kouchokos (13), Connor Bagnell (11) and Nate Ford (10).

The Falcons also featured four players in double-digits: Brendan O’Keefe (12), Marc Folsom (10), Caleb Gazaway (10) and Jake Reardon (10).

[Coe-Brown coverage is brought to you by Tropical Smoothie Cafe]

Check out the full photo gallery by our Jill Stevens…