Tag: Keene

Keene survives Merrimack in double-overtime

KEENE, NH – It was an instant classic in Keene on Friday night as the host Blackbirds came away with a gritty 72-68 double-overtime victory over visiting Merrimack in Division I action.

Will Fontaine led all scorers with a game-high 24 points for Keene, while teammate Javon Massiah added 17, capped off by a massive three-pointer to with 13.9 seconds left on the clock to force double OT.

It was a back-and-forth affair all night as Keene led 10-2 after one quarter of play and later 29-20 at the half. The Tomahawks showed plenty grit of their own as they battled back from a 10-point deficit entering the 4th quarter and forced the first extra frame.

Merrimack was led by 17 points and five triples from Mikey Flerra. Noah Morrison (13 points), Ryan Elliot (12) and Henry Tobin (10) also added double-digits for the Tomahawks.

Check out the full photo gallery by our Marc Hoak…

Merrimack Boys at Keene (12.13.24) - Marc Hoak
Merrimack Boys at Keene (12.13.24) – Marc Hoak
99 photos

Marshall drops 40 as Pinkerton downs Keene

Jackson Marshall poured in a game-high 40 points to lead Pinkerton to a 86-68 victory over visiting Keene on Friday night.

Joining Marshall in double-digits for the Astros was Charlie Ludden (19) and Andrew Brander (13). The Blackbirds featured four players with 12 points: Fitch Hennessey, Javon Massiah, Sawyer Lepple and Alex Holmes.

With the win, Pinkerton moves to a Division-I best 8-0, while Keen falls to 3-4 on the season.

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

Blackbirds soar past Pioneers

Keene started slow, but finished strong as they went on the road to defeat Trinity, 53-33, on Thursday night in Manchester.

The Blackbirds trailed by three at the end of the first quarter, 15-12, but then put the clamps on the Pioneers. Keene outscored host Trinity 41-19 over the final three stanzas to come away with the victory.

Keene was led by Ivy Keating’s 14 points (4 three pointers), and Harper Zalaski (11 points). Trinity was paced by 13 points from Sadie Mungere and 10 points from Bella Santousosso.

With the win, the Blackbirds improve to 3-0 on the season. The Pioneers fall to to 0-4.

Check out photos of the action by Todd Grzywacz of Stonewall Photography…

Malley’s buzzer beater lifts Goffstown over Keene

Colin Malley knocked down a three-pointer to force overtime and later buried a game-winning triple as time expired to give host Goffstown a thrilling 70-67 overtime victory over Keene on Tuesday night.

Malley connected on six triples on the night en route to 21 points to pace the Grizzlies in the victory, while teammates Cam Hujsak (16), Tommy Patterson (15) and Ryan Strand (13) all netted double figures as well.

Keene was led by a game-high 22 points from Lucas Malay and Ben Hertzler added 14 for the Black Birds.

Goffstown improves to 4-5 on the season, while Keene falls to 2-7.

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

Four unbeatens remain

By KJ Cardinal

We’re past the midway point of the 2022-23 season in all four divisions of NHIAA basketball and there are just four undefeated boys teams remaining around the state.

Let’s take a glimpse at this quartet of flawless teams…

Anthony Chinn directs the offense against Portsmouth back on Jan. 10.

PINKERTON BOYS (9-0)
It should come as no surprise that head coach Dave Chase’s Astros are sitting atop the Division I standings with a perfect 9-0 mark to start the season. Pinkerton made it to the state semifinals last year and with their big three of Jackson Marshall and the Chinn brothers (Anthony and Tyrone) clicking on all cylinders, the Astros are rolling through the division.

Pinkerton is holding teams to just over 44 points per game (PPG) and winning by an average of 20 PPG. The only single-digit victory that the Astros have earned was at Keene, 48-40, back on Jan. 13. Looking at Pinkerton’s remaining slate, it’s hard not to circle the Feb. 10 tilt at Bedford (8-1) as the biggest test that remains in the Astros quest for perfection.

Jalen Reese goes up for two against Somersworth on Dec. 13.

GILFORD BOYS (9-0)
The three-time defending champion Golden Eagles are a perfect 9-0 and sit perched atop the D-III standings. Another pair of brothers, Jalen and Isaiah Reese, are both averaging nearly 20 PPG to lead the way for Gilford.

While head coach Rick Acquilano’s squad has yet to lose, they have been tested in three tough battles of late and came out on top in each one. The Golden Eagles started the new year with a four-point win at St. Thomas on Jan. 3. A week later, Gilford staved off a hungry Belmont squad, 61-58. And, just yesterday the Golden Eagles survived an overtime scare at Conant, 52-48.

Kayden Hoskins and the Crusaders held on for a big win at Woodsville back on Dec. 21.

LITTLETON BOYS (12-0)
Trevor Howard’s Littleton Crusaders are a state-best 12-0 and are coming off perhaps the game of the year in D-IV on Friday night, a thrilling 86-81 victory at Profile. Littleton’s front-man Kayden Hoskins is pumping in over 21 PPG, but the Crusaders boast a line-up loaded with potential double-digit scorers and their balanced attack is very potent.

The Crusaders have proven they can win on the road as they earned hard-fought victories at Portsmouth Christian, at Woodsville, at Lin-Wood, at Colebrook, at D-III White Mountains and most recently at Profile. With five of their remaining six games at home, if Littleton can take care of business on its turf, the Crusaders may be sitting atop the D-IV heap when the dust settles.

Brode Frink with the unorthodox finish at PCA on Jan. 9.

CONCORD CHRISTIAN BOYS (9-0)
The Concord Christian Kingsmen are rolling through their D-IV slate. With big road wins at Derryfield, at Portsmouth Christian and at Holy Family, the Kingsmen look poised to make another deep run in the playoffs.

Sophomore sensation Brode Frink is the straw that stirs the drink for head coach Eric Heizer’s squad. Frink is averaging over 25 PPG and can score in anyway imaginable. The Kingsmen have some obstacles on their schedule as they host Derryfield (7-2), Farmington (10-1) and head to D-III Conant.

Central holds off Keene for first win of the season

Manchester Central held Keene to just 14 first-half points and hung on for a 48-40 victory over the visiting Orioles on Tuesday night.

Jason Gasana led the Little Green with 17 points, while teammate Wesley Olmeda added 12. Keene was paced by 17 points from Lucas Malay.

Central improves to 1-6 on the year, while Keene drops its third-straight and fall to 2-6.

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

603 in the NCAA

Let’s celebrate the best of the best from the NHIAA that have continued their careers into the NCAA. Below is a list of NHIAA ballers that are currently playing at the collegiate level.

Help us grow this list. If you have additions, please email kj@ball603.com. Thanks for the assist!

NAMEHIGH SCHOOLCOLLEGEYEAR
Michael PitmanPembroke Academy / TiltonAssumptionFreshman
Jacob GibbonsExeter / TiltonAssumptionSophomore
Sean PetersonHoly FamilyColby-SawyerFreshman
Catherine ChickKennettColby-SawyerFreshman
Bree LawrenceMonadnockColby-SawyerFreshman
Megan MolettieriPelhamColby-SawyerJunior
Lauren McKeeLittletonColby-SawyerSophomore
Eliza MitchellKeeneColby-SawyerFreshman
Kaylee ManzellaLittletonColby-SawyerSophomore
Lia RaynowskaExeterColby-SawyerSenior
Ashlyn SmithKeeneEndicottFreshman
Sarah DempseyWindhamEndicottJunior
Ty VitkoDoverEndicottSenior
Drew BrownPelhamEndicottSenior
Joey DaSilvaWindhamEndicottJunior
Andrew PolitiTrinityFranklin PierceSophomore
Isaac JarvisConcord Christian ’22GordonSophomore
Isabella RiveraBishop Brady ’21GordonJunior
Ami RiveraBishop Brady ’21GordonJunior
Cassidy DillonLondonderry ‘23GordonFreshman
Aryanna MurrayNashua SouthKeene StateJunior
Brynn RautiolaConant ‘23Keene StateFreshman
Abbie KozlowskiDover ‘23Keene StateFreshman
Kaitlyn StowellMonadnock ‘23Keene StateFreshman
Avery StewartFall Mountain ‘23Keene StateFreshman
Liam JohnstonKeeneKeene StateSophomore
Sera HodgsonConantMaineJunior
Gwen MerrifieldPlymouthManhattanvilleJunior
Matt McCoolSouheganMaristSophomore
Johnny McBrideSouhegan ’22MessiahSophomore
Mike StrazerriPembroke ‘23New England CollegeFreshman
Justin DunnePinkertonNew England CollegeJunior
Macy GordonMerrimack ValleyNew England CollegeSophomore
Maizie BarkerNashua South ’23 New England CollegeFreshman
Mackenzie McDonaldMerrimack ValleyNew England CollegeSophomore
Jon WillemanLebanon ’20New HampshireSenior
Alex TavaresPortsmouth / Great Bay CCNew HampshireJunior
Silas BernierConantNorwichSenior
Caden BrownBedford ‘23Plymouth StateFreshman
Riley MarshGilford ’22Plymouth StateSophomore
Elijah SwansonInter-LakesPlymouth StateJunior
Ryan CanabanoConcordPlymouth StateSenior
Matthew SantosuossoBishop Guertin ‘23Plymouth StateFreshman
Jared KhalilSanborn ‘23Plymouth StateFreshman
Jack St. HilaireWindham ’23 Plymouth StateFreshman
Maxwell GalbraithHanoverPlymouth StateSophomore
Kevin Newton-DelgadoHopkintonPlymouth StateJunior
Jayden MontgomeryNashua North ‘23Plymouth StateFreshman
Christian BarrJohn StarkPlymouth StateSenior
Sophie GeorgeLaconiaPlymouth StateSophomore
Natalie HarrisCoe-BrownPlymouth StateSenior
Ashley StephensPembroke Academy / TiltonPlymouth StateFreshman
Alli IngallsPinkertonPlymouth StateJunior
Bri WilcoxBishop GuertinPlymouth StateJunior
Marissa KenisonGroveton ‘23Plymouth StateFreshman
Lea CromptonBowPlymouth StateSenior
Isabella AbruzeseWindhamPlymouth StateFreshman
Angelina NardolilloHinsdaleRhode Island CollegeJunior
Elli CoxConcordRhode Island CollegeSophomore
Rob BaguidyGoffstown ’22RivierSophomore
Adam RazzaboniHollis-BrooklineRivierJunior
Anna StawaszBishop GuertinRivierJunior
Hannah MuchemoreBishop GuertinRivierSenior
Nodia DavenportGrovetonRivierJunior
Anna StengerJohn StarkRivierSenior
Jessica CarrierManchester MemorialRivierJunior
Lyric GrumblattManchester MemorialRivierSenior
Alyssa ScharnAlvirne ‘23RivierFreshman
Tommy FraserBishop BradySaint AnselmSenior
Brogan ShannonKingswoodSaint AnselmSophomore
Trevor LabrecqueNashua North ‘23Saint AnselmFreshman
Ava WinterburnGoffstown ‘23SNHUFreshman
Brandon ChoateNashua NorthSNHUJunior
Royce WilliamsTrinitySNHUSophomore
Liz CoteKennettSouthern MaineSenior
Hope EliasKennett ‘23Southern MaineFreshman
Tamrah GouldManchester MemorialSouthern MaineSenior
Megan RobertsHinsdaleSouthern MaineJunior
Max StapelfeldHollis-BrooklineSt. Joseph’s (ME)Senior
Ben SeilerMascoma ValleySt. Joseph’s (ME)Sophomore
Cadence GilbertKeeneSt. Joseph’s (ME)Freshman
Elisabeth StapelfeldHollis-BrooklineSt. Joseph’s (ME)Junior
Jordyn FranzenSalemU. of New EnglandSenior
Ella KaravanicNashua South ’23 U. of New EnglandFreshman
Makenna GrilloneFall MountainU. of New EnglandSophomore
Chad MartinJohn StarkVTSU LyndonSophomore
Sage SmithColebrookVTSU LyndonJunior
Leia BruntPlymouth ‘22William SmithSophomore
Brett MarelliWinnacunnetWPIJunior

Smooth Moves of the Week: Jan. 30, 2022

It’s time again for the Tropical Smoothie Cafe “Smooth Moves of the Week.” Tropical Smoothie Cafe was born on a beach where people know how to live. We like things fun and playful, sunny and bright. Shake your shoes off and turn the music up. It’s time to unwind… with the Tropical Smoothie Cafe “Smooth Moves of the Week”.

With locations in Rochester, Portsmouth, Portland and Biddeford, you’re on Tropic Time now.

This week’s Smooth Moves features plays from Coe-Brown, Keene, Pelham, Merrimack Valley, Nashua North, Oyster River, Pembroke, Portsmouth Christian Academy, Timberlane and Windham.

TROPICAL SMOOTHIE CAFE LOCATIONS

Tropical Smoothie Cafe
127 Marketplace Blvd
Rochester, NH 03867

Tropical Smoothie Cafe
1600 Woodbury Avenue
Portsmouth, NH 03801

Tropical Smoothie Cafe
45 Western Ave
South Portland, ME 04106

Tropical Smoothie Cafe
426 Alfred Street
Biddeford, ME 04005

Timberlane wins fourth-straight with victory over Keene

Four Owls scored in double-digits to lead Timberlane to a 53-42 win over Keene on Monday night in Plaistow. Trey Baker, Luke Surprenant and Ethan Stewart all netted 12 points for the host Owls, while Sean Chanakira added 10. The Blackbirds were led 11 points from Fitch Hennessey.

With the victory, Timberlane has now won four straight and improves to 7-6 on the season, while Keene drops its fourth consecutive contest to fall to 2-11. Check out some highlights of the action…