Tag: Farmington

March 25, 2025

Farmington’s first hoop title still resonates 55 years later

By Mike Whaley

It’s the 55th anniversary of Farmington High School’s first state championship in basketball – the 1970 Class M boys crown. Their story is about as “Hoosiers”-esque as they come.

At the time, Farmington was a virtual basketball nobody. The Tigers had exactly one playoff win in their history (1957). They lost in the first round of the 1969 tournament to Inter-Lakes by a point. Despite their history, they did have a pretty good team in 1969-70. Their starting five had grown up playing basketball together: seniors Paul Moulton, Danny Reynolds, Alan Hagar, and Paul Bishop, and junior Tony Quinn. They were guided by third-year coach Art Parissi.

Farmington had a solid regular season, going 15-2 to earn the No. 3 seed in the tournament. Their losses had been to league rivals Newmarket and Oyster River. The talk of the tournament, however, centered around No. 1 and unbeaten Woodsville, coached by the volatile legend John Bagonzi. The Engineers had beaten all comers in winning the 1969 crown in similar and perfect fashion, including Class I champion Littleton. In fact, Woodsville capped the previous season with a record-setting 97-41 win over Pittsfield in the final at the University of New Hampshire – records for championship game points scored by the winning team and winning margin that still stands as overall tournament records.

The Engineers were just getting going in a span that would see them win five state titles in nine years.

Tony Quinn drives to the basket in Farmington’s quarterfinal win over Conant.

The Tigers, led by 1,000-point scorers Moulton and Reynolds, drew a first-round bye and faced Conant in the quarterfinals at Bishop Brady High School in Concord. The Orioles hung with them into the second half before the Tigers pulled away to win 79-66. Moulton led a balanced attack with 24 points, followed by Reynolds (17), Hagar (16) and Quinn (13).

That set up a matchup at UNH against powerful Woodsville, whose winning streak now stretched to 40 games. David vs. Goliath. It looked like it was going to go like everyone thought it would as the Engineers darted out to a 10-1 lead to force a Farmington timeout. In the huddle, a slowdown approach was discussed and quickly discarded. Like Woodsville, the Tigers embraced a fast-paced style. “We wanted to play the only way we knew how,” said Moulton in 2020. The one change that coach Parissi made was to have his players dribble through the Engineers’ vaunted press versus using the pass, which just wasn’t working. The worm began to turn.

Farmington’s Danny Reynolds lays one up versus Woodsville in the semifinals.

By halftime, Farmington had found its groove and was up 46-41. Woodsville was getting into foul trouble (three players fouled out). The Engineers pulled to within three at one point, but no closer. As time was winding down, Woodsville did something it had not done in two years – it pulled off its press.

When the final buzzer sounded, the Tigers had stunned the New Hampshire basketball world with one of the greatest upsets in state high school tournament history, 90-81. All five starters reached double figures: Moulton and Hagar with 23 apiece, Quinn notched 16, Reynolds had 15, and Bishop collected 13.

Standing in the way between Farmington and championship glory was another underdog – No. 10 Merrimack. The Tomahawks were in the final after three upset wins. It was a track meet, but it was anticlimactic after the Woodsville game. The Tigers led 49-40 at the half, and stayed in control to win by 12 – 95-83. To this day it remains the overall most points scored (178) in a state championship game in N.H. history. Again there was great scoring balance led by tournament MVP Moulton with 30, Reynolds with 28, and Hagar and Bishop with 15 each. All five starters made the Class M All-Tournament Team and averaged in double figures, led by Moulton (25.7 ppg). The other four starters averaged between 12 and 20 points per game. The Iron Five scored every single one of Farmington’s 264 tournament points.

Head Coach Art Parissi is hoisted up in celebration following Farmington’s title game victory over Merrimack.

“It was fun,” said Moulton in 2020. “We were the heroes of the town – for the next 50 years, I guess.”

Although some of the players – most notably Moulton, Hagar and Bishop – and coach Parissi have passed away, it is still hard to forget the 1970 champions. If you take a gander at this year’s Division III tournament program, the Tigers once again deserve a mention in the record section. And given how the game has slowed down, it could last, well, another 55 years.

Whaley can be reached at whaleym25@gmail.com

February 28, 2025February 28, 2025

Littleton survives scare from Farmington, advances to semis

By: KJ Cardinal

LITTLETON, NH – Undefeated top seed Littleton trailed by three points with under seven minutes to play, but closed the game on a 17-3 run to survive No. 8 Farmington, 52-41, in quarterfinal action of the Division IV state tournament on Friday night.

The Crusaders advance to the semifinals to take on No. 4 Newmarket on Tuesday at Bedford High School at 7:00 pm.

The quarterfinal was close from the opening tip as Littleton and Farmington were knotted at 11-11 after one quarter of play. The host Crusaders then took a 24-19 lead to the break.

The Tigers controlled the action in the third quarter, outscoring Littleton 17-11 in the period, to take a 36-35 lead to the final stanza. Farmington held a 38-35 edge before Addison Hadlock’s lay up with 6:45 to go cut the lead to one and started the final run for the Crusaders.

Leah Poulton led Littleton with 17 points, with eight coming in the final quarter. Addison Pilgrim chipped in with 10 points as well. The Crusaders uncharacteristically struggled from the line, going just 10-for-28 from the charity on the night.

Farmington was led by 21 points from freshman Shaylee DiPrizio and six from Anna Cardinal.

With the win, Littleton improves to 20-0 on the season and have now won 42 straight games dating back to last season’s undefeated 22-0 season. The Tigers’ season comes to an end at 13-7.

February 27, 2025February 27, 2025

Strong start sends Woodsville to semifinals

By: KJ Cardinal

WOODSVILLE, NH – Undefeated top seed Woodsville used an 18-3 first quarter to propel the Engineers past No. 8 Farmington, 57-40, in quarterfinal action of the Division IV state tournament on Thursday night.

Woodsville later pushed their lead to 36-9 at the half and the Tigers could never recover.

Landon Kingsbury and Devin Sabina netted 14 points apiece for the Engineers, while Ryan Walker chipped in with 11.

Farmington was paced by 17 points from Noah Elwell and 13 from Lucas Watson. The Tigers leading scorer Demery Hadges was held to just two points as he saw limited action with a leg injury.

With the win, Woodsville improves to 20-0 and advances to the semifinals to take on No. 5 Gorham on Monday at Laconia High School at 7:30 pm. Farmington’s season comes to an end at 12-8.

Check out the full photo gallery by KJ Cardinal…

Farmington Boys at Woodsville (02.27.25) – KJ CARDINAL

70 photos

February 27, 2025February 27, 2025

Farmington cruises past Mount Royal in first round

By: KJ Cardinal

FARMINGTON, NH – Shaylee DiPrizio and Zoey Johnson combined for 43 of Farmington’s 61 points as the No. 8 Tigers cruised past No. 9 Mount Royal, 61-35, on Tuesday night in Division IV first round action.

Farmington advances to the quarterfinals where they will take on undefeated top seed Littleton on Friday night in a rematch of last year’s D-IV semifinals.

The Tigers jumped out to a 13-6 lead on the Knights and never looked back.

Mount Royal was paced 14 points from Lucy Treece and 10 points from Caolainn Haefner.

With the win, Farmington improves to 13-6 on the season, while Mount Royal falls to 12-7.

Check out the full photo gallery by Chris LaClair of Chris Clicks Photography…

Mount Royal Girls at Farmington (02.25.25) – Chris LaClair

120 photos

February 25, 2025February 25, 2025

Farmington handles Hinsdale in D-IV first round action

By: KJ Cardinal

FARMINGTON, NH – No. 8 Farmington led wire-to-wire versus No. 9 Hinsdale on Monday night and came away with a 71-56 victory in first round action of the Division IV state tournament.

The Tigers jumped out to a quick 6-0 lead and later led 18-13 after one quarter of action. FHS would take a 35-27 bulge to the break before a 21-11 third quarter would blow the game open.

Hinsdale fought hard in the final stanza, but it was too little too late as Farmington held on for the 15-point win.

Noah Elwell led the Tigers with a game-high 24 points, while Demery Hadges and Lucas Watson added 18 and 17 points, respectively.

Connor Dixon paced all scorers with a game-high 25 points for the Pacers. Chris Colon added 10.

With the win, Farmington advances to the quarterfinal round to take on top-seeded Woodsville on Thursday night.

Hinsdale’s season comes to a close with a 10-9 mark.

Farmington’s Madi Ricker, who notched the 1000th point of her career last week, was honored in a ceremony at halftime.

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

Hinsdale Boys at Farmington (02.24.25) – HEIDI GREEN

67 photos

February 19, 2025February 19, 2025

PCA sweeps Farmington in D-IV doubleheader

By: KJ Cardinal

DOVER, NH – Portsmouth Christian Academy swept Farmington on Tuesday night in a Division IV doubleheader with significant postseason seeding implications. The Eagle girls needed overtime to down the Tigers, while the boys earned a come-from-behind win.

On the girls side, PCA jumped out to an early 14-8 lead after one quarter of play and later led 28-18 at the half. Farmington mounted a second-half comeback by winning the third quarter 20-14 and the fourth quarter 17-13 to force overtime.

The Tigers’ Madi Ricker had a potential game-winning put-back at the end of regulation that was waived off. Video review later showed the correct call was made.

The Eagles won the extra session 7-4 to come away with the victory.

With the win, PCA ends its regular-season with a 13-5 mark and will be the 6th seed for the upcoming D-IV tourney. Farmington has now lost three of its last four games to fall to 12-6, and tied for seventh in the standings.

Zuri Petlick led all scorers with a game-high 21 points for PCA, while Ava Buchanan added 18 points. Farmington was paced by 22 points from Shaylee DiPrizio.

Senior Madi Ricker entered the game needing 17 points to reach the 1000-point plateau for FHS and she connected on a pair of free throws in the 4th quarter to become the 14th player in Farmington basketball history to reach the milestone. She finished with 17 points on the night.

On the boys side, the Tigers controlled the game for the first three quarters, taking a 53-46 lead to the final frame. In the fourth quarter, PCA outscored FHS 17-8 to earn a two-point come-from-behind win.

PCA was led by 18 points from Cai Summers, 14 from Josiah Ludwig and 11 from Truman Smith. Farmington was paced by a game-high 26 points from Demery Hadges and 13 from Lucas Watson.

With the win, the Eagles improve to 12-6 and are tied for fifth in the D-IV standings. Farmington has now dropped three-straight to fall to 11-7 and a tie for seventh.

Check out the full girls gallery by KJ Cardinal…

Farmington Girls at PCA (01.18.25) – KJ CARDINAL

68 photos

February 15, 2025February 15, 2025

Newmarket sweeps Farmington

By: KJ Cardinal

NEWMARKET, NH – Newmarket earned two hard-fought victories over Farmington Friday night and inched closer to securing both four seeds in the upcoming Division IV tournaments. The Mule girls were victorious 40-28, while the boys won 66-56.

On the girls side, Newmarket was dominant from the opening tip as the Mules jumped out to a 10-3 lead and never looked back. Newmarket maintained that seven-point lead for the most of the game and with the way the Mules defend, the game was never really in jeopardy.

Amaya Beckles led all scorers with 14 points for Newmarket, while Lydia Edgerly and Jillian Long both added 10 points apiece. Farmington failed to put a player in double-digits for the first time this season, but Shaylee DiPrizio and Zoey Johnson each had seven points.

With the win, the Mules improve to 15-2 on the season and have secured at least the fourth spot in the state tourney. Newmarket closes out the season at Holy Family on Monday night and the Griffins are currently one-game up in the standings. A victory by the Mules would give them the third seed.

Farmington falls to 12-5 on the season and has now dropped two of their last three. The Tigers close out the season on Tuesday at Portsmouth Christian (11-5) in a game that could determine first-round home court.

On the boys side, Newmarket was shot out of a cannon. The host Mules raced out to a 19-6 lead and later led 26-6. Freshman Nick Minutelli poured in 15 first-half points and sparked Newmarket on both ends of the court. The Mules took a 33-15 lead to the break.

The two squads played even in the third quarter and Newmarket led 48-30 heading to the final frame, but Farmington wasn’t done. Freshman Declan Doyle was inserted into the game for the first time in the fourth quarter and made hustle plays that energized the Tigers. A steal, followed by a charge taken and then a kick out pass to Keltin Moulton for three highlighted a 15-0 run for FHS to start the 4th.

Farmington cut the lead to three 48-45, but Minutelli knocked down a huge three with three minutes left to push the Newmarket lead back to seven. The Mules were able to hang on for the victory thanks to clutch free throw by Jaron LaBranche as the senior was 7-for-8 from the charity stripe in the final frame.

Minutelli and LaBranche each netted 24 points on the evening to lead Newmarket. Demery Hadges led the Tigers with 18 points, 14 in the second half. Noah Elwell scored 17 points, with 10 coming in the fourth quarter, and Keltin Moulton added 16.

With the win, Newmarket moves to 13-4 on the season and has a strangle-hold on the 4th seed in the standings. The Mules close out the season on Monday at Holy Family (7-8) in an interesting match up that pits Newmarkets speed versus the Griffins size.

The Tigers fall to 11-6 and are deadlocked in a four-way tie for fifth. Farmington closes out the season at PCA on Tuesday.

Check out the full photo galleries by KJ Cardinal… GIRLS GALLERY | BOYS GALLERY

Farmington Girls at Newmarket (02.14.25) – KJ CARDINAL

100 photos

Farmington Boys at Newmarket (02.14.25) – KJ CARDINAL

93 photos

February 12, 2025February 12, 2025

Undefeated Concord Christian survives Farmington in OT

By: KJ Cardinal

CONCORD, NH – Undefeated Concord Christian Academy survived a major scare from visiting Farmington on Wednesday night as the Kingsmen needed overtime to earn a 67-61 victory.

It was a back-and-forth affair throughout with neither team able to get more separation than seven points all night long.

CCA led 23-19 after the first quarter and 35-34 at the break. The Tigers turned things up in the third period as they opened the quarter on a 7-0 run and held the Kingsmen to just nine points. FHS won the third, 12-9, and took a 46-44 lead to the fourth.

Farmington pushed its fourth-quarter lead to seven, 55-48, before a pair of Luke Farland three pointers cut the Tiger lead to one, 55-54. Lucas Watson then connected on a floater to give FHS a 57-54 lead with under a minute to play.

A wild sequence then ensued as CCA’s TJ Charbono missed a three-pointer and Farmington’s Demery Hadges gathered the rebound. The outlet pass by Hadges to Watson was deflected by Charbono, gathered by the Kingsmen’s Logan Duffy who kicked to Charbono in the corner for a three that found the bottom of the net to tie the game at 57-57 with just 20 seconds left on the clock.

After a timeout, Farmington then had a sideline out of bounds with 5.5 seconds left and FHS’s Noah Elwell was fouled by Logan Duffy with 0.3 remaining. Elwell went to the line for two, but couldn’t connect and the game went to overtime.

The extra session belonged to Concord Christian as Charbono started the frame with another triple and the reeling Tigers could never catch up.

Farland led all scorers with a game-high 26 points and Charbono added 15 with four three-pointers. Farmington was paced by 18 points from Hadges and 17 from Elwell, while Watson and Keltin Moulton added 14 and 11, respectively.

With the victory, CCA improves to a perfect 15-0. Farmington falls to 11-5.

Check out the full photo gallery by KJ Cardinal…

Farmington Boys at Concord Christian (02.12.25) – KJ CARDINAL

109 photos

February 11, 2025February 11, 2025

Farmington downs Nute, stretches win streak to six

FARMINGTON, NH – Seniors Demery Hadges and Noah Elwell combined for 42 points as Farmington defeated visiting Nute, 71-44, on Monday’s Senior Night.

Hadges pumped in 25 points and Elwell had 17. Keltin Moulton also chipped in with 10 of this own for FHS.

The Rams were led by 14 points from Adrian Huff.

With the win, Farmington has now won six-straight games and improves to 11-4 on the season. Nute falls to 3-12. The Tigers next hit the road to take on undefeated Concord Christian on Wednesday at 7:00 pm.

Check out the full photo gallery by KJ Cardinal…