Tag: Kearsarge

NHIAA preseason heats up

By: KJ Cardinal

Just like the unseasonably warm weather, the 2024-25 NHIAA season is beginning to heat up as well.

Yesterday marked the first practice date for Division IV squads with many holding tryouts around the state. D-III follows suit next week (Nov. 25) with D-I & D-II just seven days later as well (Dec. 2).

The D-IV season official tips off with 2024-25 opening night being held on Friday, Dec. 6, while Divisions I, II & III throw it up on Dec. 13.

Before we get to the regular-season slate, however, there are six official NHIAA sanctioned preseason jamborees on the docket. Check out the events below as this will be your first chance to see these squads in action…

DATEGENDEREVENTHOSTPARTICIPANTS
December 1GirlsPreseason Basketball JamboreeLin-WoodHoly Family, Concord Christian, Franklin, Lin-Wood
December 3BoysNewfound InvitationalNewfoundInter-Lakes, Winnisquam, Laconia, Plymouth, White Mountains, Newfound
December 7BoysBelmont Boys Basketball Preseason JamboreeBelmontMascoma, Monadnock, Newport, Belmont
December 7BoysPinkerton Basketball JamboreePinkertonCentral Catholic, Malden Catholic, Salem, Greater Lawrence Tech, Pinkerton
December 7GirlsPreseason JamboreeKennettWhite Mountains, Inter-Lakes, Berlin, Fryeburg, Kingswood, Plymouth, Gilford, Laconia, Prospect Mountain, Moultonborough, Littleton, Kennett
December 7BoysNH Sports Page Basketball JamboreeLondonderryNashua South, Kearsarge, Pelham, St. Thomas, Pinkerton, Windham, Trinity, Bow, Portsmouth, Pembroke, Londonderry

Kearsarge crowned champs, upsets Hopkinton

By KJ Cardinal

The fourth-seeded Kearsarge Cougars were crowned 2024 NHIAA Division III Girls Basketball State Champions on Saturday evening with a 38-27 victory over No. 2 Hopkinton at Keene State College.

Kearsarge earns the third title in school history and the first since 2002. The Cougars were led by Tessa Marinello’s 15 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks, while Ava Shapiro added 12 points.

The favorite Hawks came ready to play as they jumped out to an early seven-point lead with two minutes to play in the 1st quarter and led 12-7 at the end of the opening frame.

Kearsarge then reeled off an 8-0 run to start the second quarter and led the rest of the way. The Cougars held the Hawks scoreless in the second quarter and took a 15-12 lead to the break. Hopkinton was 0-12 from the field in the quarter as both teams shot a combined 10-50 (20%) from the field in the first half.

The third quarter was all Kearsarge. The Cougars stifling defense continued, winning the quarter 15-5 and taking a 30-17 lead to the final stanza. The 13-point deficit was too much for the Hawks to overcome and Kearsarge was crowned.

Leading the way for Hopkinton was Shaylee Murdough with 15 points. Sydney Westover dominated the glass with 19 rebounds as the Hawks out rebounded the Cougars 37-30.

Watch as Kearsarge takes home the crown and the Cougars did it with Kearsarge defense…

Check out a photo gallery by Jill Stevens below. High resolution images of the gallery are available here.

Check out another photo gallery by Jeff Criss of Perfect Photos…

Check out another photo gallery by Chris Laclair of Chris Clicks Photography…

Kearsarge upsets St. Thomas, advances to D-III final

Fourth-seeded Kearsarge upset top-ranked St. Thomas, 52-44, in the semifinal round of the NHIAA Division III Girls Basketball State Tournament on Wednesday night at Bow High School.

With the win, the Cougars advance to Saturday’s championship game versus No. 2 Hopkinton at Keene State College at 5:00 pm.

Kearsarge held the Saints to just six 1st-quarter points and took a 4-point lead to the 2nd quarter. The two squads played to a 14-14 draw in the second frame, giving the Cougars a 24-20 lead at the break. Kearsarge outscored the Saints 12-7 in the 3rd to push their lead to nine, 36-27, and they held on for the eight-point win.

Tessa Marinello led all scorers with 19 points for Kearsarge, while Ava Shapiro and Adara Boucher added 13 and 12, respectively. St. Thomas was paced by 12 points from Emma Toriello, 11 from Genevieve Bolduc and 10 from Emilie Von Der Linden.

The Cougars advance to their first state title game since 2012, when Kearsarge lost in the D-II finals to Souhegan, 53-27. On Saturday, the Cougars will be making their sixth state championship game appearance in school history and will be in search of their third title in school history, the first since 2002 when they took home the Class I crown.

Check out the full photo gallery of the action by Jill Stevens…

Conant wins defensive affair, advances to state final

Top-seeded Conant avenged its only loss of the season by defeating No. 4 Kearsarge, 35-30, in a defensive battle on Tuesday night and punched its ticket to the title game of the Division III NHIAA state tournament.

The Orioles advance to take on #2 St. Thomas for the championship at Keene State College on Saturday at 8:00 pm.

Conant put the clamps on Kearsarge through three quarters of play, allowed just 18 points and took a 30-18 lead to the final frame. The Cougars tried to mount a comeback in the 4th, but came up just short.

Jared Nagle led Conant with 13 points, while the Cougars were paced by a game-high 20 points from Noah Whipple.

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

Stifling defense lifts Kearsarge past Gilford to semis

No. 4 Kearsarge allowed just two 1st-quarter points and raced to a 52-25 victory over #5 Gilford on Saturday night in North Sutton.

With the win, the Cougars advance to the semifinals of the NHIAA Division III Girls Basketball State Tournament and will take on top-seeded St. Thomas on Wednesday at 7:30 pm at Bow High School.

Ava Shapiro and Tessa Marinello netted 17 points apiece to pace Kearsarge, while Gilford was led by 10 points from Megan Hughes.

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

Strong third quarter leads Kearsarge past Hopkinton

Fourth-seeded Kearsarge poured in 22 points in the third quarter to come away with a five-point win over #5 Hopkinton, 40-35, in quarterfinal action of the NHIAA Division III State Tournament.

The Cougars advance to the semifinals where they will take on top-seeded Conant on Tuesday. The site is still to be determined.

Noah Whipple and Ajay Tremblay led Kearsarge with 9 points apiece, while Abram Standefer (12) and Vincent Louca (11) both netted double-digits for the Hawks.

Check out the full photo gallery by Chris Laclair…

Kearsarge downs Stevens, advances to quarters

Behind a game-high 21 points from Noah Whipple, #4 Kearsarge held off #13 Stevens, 47-41, on Tuesday night in first round action of the NHIAA Division III Boys Basketball State Tournament. More to come…

The Cougars advance to the quarterfinal round where they will host #5 Hopkinton on Friday.

The two teams were evenly matched in the first half as the game was knotted at 16-16 at the break. Kearsarge outscored the Cardinals 16-10 in the 3rd quarter and that ended up being the difference.

Drew Huff also added 12 points for the Cougars, while Stevens was led by a trio of double-digit scorers: Jacob Davis (14), Devante Thompson (12) and Mason Ferland.

With the loss, the Cardinals season comes to an end with a 7-10 mark.

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

Kearsarge starts strong, wins seventh straight

Kearsarge jumped out to a 19-7 lead after one quarter and led 37-16 at the half to cruise to a 55-41 victory over visiting Raymond on Thursday night.

The Cougars were led by 19 points from Noah Whipple and 13 from Eli Whipple, while Raymond was paced by Dre Duffaut’s game-high 21 points.

With the win, Kearsarge pushes its win streak to seven and improves to 10-3 on the season. The Rams fall to 6-5.

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

Quick-start propels Kearsarge past Campbell

LITCHFIELD – Kearsarge came out firing on Friday night as they connected on five first-quarter three pointers and went on to defeat host Campbell, 49-41.

Tessa Marinello and Jada Kendrigan both pumped in a game-high 12 points for Kearsarge, while Campbell was led by 9 points from LeAnn Ramos.

Check out the full gallery of the action by Dave Beliveau…