Boys’ Basketball

Manchester West 56, Coe-Brown 51

Key players: Coe-Brown – Tommy Flanagan (23 points, 8 rebounds), Jack Lano (12 points)

Highlights: The Bears lost a battle to the Blue Knights in their season-opener.

Coach’s quote: “On to Sanborn on Monday.” – Coe-Brown’s David Smith

Records: West 1-0; Coe-Brown 0-1

Wilton-Lyndeborough 48, Pittsfield 43

Key players: Pittsfield – Jordan Roode (14 points), Riley Reed (12 points)

Highlights: The Panthers trailed by just three points with 6.2 seconds left in the game, but the Warriors went 5-for-7 from the line in the final minute to secure a narrow victory over Pittsfield. The Panthers led 10-2 after the first quarter. Wilton led 24-22 at halftime and 33-32 through three.

Coach’s quote: “We did well executing getting the looks we wanted, we just couldn’t convert them into points. We’ll take the positives from this loss and work on the things that need improvements.” – Pittsfield’s Jay Darrah

Records: Wilton 1-0; Pittsfield 0-1

Sanborn 64, Merrimack Valley 46

Key players: MV – Ben Rose (11 points), Eli Gove (8 points), Trevor Simonds (8 points)

Highlights: The Pride lose its season-opening game on the road.

Records: Sanborn 1-0; MV 0-1

Kearsarge 55, Mascoma 40

Key players: Kearsarge – Sam Carl (16 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals), Chris Stanchfield (12 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists), Bobby Needham (11 points, 2 steals), George Jallah (6 points, 9 rebounds), Connor Pillsbury (6 points, 3 rebounds), Adrian McCarty (defense), Josh Holderman (defense)

Highlights: After a sloppy start to the game, the Cougars came out in the third quarter with lots of defensive energy, leading to transition baskets as well as open shots. Kearsarge made nine 3-pointers in the game with the help of great ball movement and unselfish play.

Coach’s quote: “We had a good balance of scoring and productivity from our bigs and our guards. The second half was much better and more indicative of the style we need to play, especially the defensive energy, led by Josh Holderman on Mascoma’s talented point guard. When four different players are hitting multiple 3s for us, that’s the balance we need to be successful.” – Kearsarge’s Nate Camp

Records: Kearsarge 1-0; Mascoma0-1

Pembroke 57, Lebanon 51

Key players: Pembroke – Mike Pitman (22 points), Joe Fitzgerald (12 points), Mike Strazerri (9 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals), Alex Francoeur (7 assists, 15-for-19 from the FT line)

Highlights: The Spartans played very well defensively, getting 18 defensive rebounds and six steals as a team, helping Pembroke overcome a 15-10 deficit through the end of the first quarter.

Coach’s quote: “If these young men continue to work together and share the ball, we will be a difficult team to play against. This was a game of two teams predicted to be in the top of their division and it was a playoff type atmosphere. The energy was there, we shot great from the line and we controlled the boards. Three ingredients for success.” – Pembroke’s Rich Otis

Records: Pembroke 1-0; Lebanon 0-1

Bow 57, Bishop Brady 48

Key players: Bow – Owen Petretta (19 points, 9 rebounds), Myles Reinhardt (12 points, 10 rebounds), Evan Smith (14 points, 9 rebounds), Alex Boisvert (on-ball defense), Hunter Duncan (9 points, 2 rebounds); Bishop Brady – Ivan Yen, Gumee Mbata

Coach’s quote: “For the first game playing together I thought we played solid help defense and did little things. Myles Reinhardt showed his toughness with rebounds. Owen Petretta played solid defense. Good win with a lot of room for improvement.” – Bow’s Scott Drapeu

Records: Bow 1-0; Bishop Brady 0-1

Pelham 77, John Stark 24

Key players: John Stark – Dylan Grivois (7 points), Dwayne Johnson (5 points), Eliot Beliveau (5 points)

Coach’s quote: “Pelham is an excellent team and I think we learned a lot about what that looks like and maybe what it takes to play at that level. With our youth we know that as a squad we need to improve each and every day with all facets of our play.” – John Stark’s Mike Smith

Records: Pelham 1-0; John Stark 0-1

Hopkinton 74, Newport 11

Key players: Hopkinton – Brendan Elrick (13 points), Quinn Whitehead (12 points), Will Tanavasu (12 points), Jack Morrall (11 points), Gavin Davies (11 points)

Highlights: The Hawks jumped out to a 26-2 firs quarter lead and never looked back, using their size and speed advantage over the Tigers.

Coach’s quote: “I was very pleased with how well we distributed the ball tonight. They didn’t try and force shots, but instead made the right pass when needed. The intensity we showed on defense will help if we can continue bringing it each night as we progress to February. I want to give credit to the first-year Newport coach, as he had those kids playing hard right up to the last whistle.” – Hopkinton’s Stephen Signor

Records: Hopkinton 1-0; Newport 0-1

St. Thomas 70, Hillsboro-Deering 51

Highlights: The Hillcats opened the season with a loss at home to the Saints.

Records: St. Thomas 1-0 ; H-D 0-1

Profile 62, Franklin 57, OT

Highlights: The Tornadoes had a chance to clinch the victory in regulation, but the Patriots overcame a 10-point deficit in the second half and won the game in overtime.

Records: Profile 1-0; Franklin 0-1

Girls’ Basketball

Merrimack Valley 63, Sanborn 22

Key players: MV – Macy Gordon (12 points), Alyssa Woodman (8 points, 7 steals), Kayla Smith (12 points), Hadleigh Sargeant (9 points)

Highlights: The Pride led 18-2 after the first quarter, 35-9 at halftime and 54-19 heading into the fourth quarter in a decisive season-opening victory over the Indians.

Coach’s quote: “I thought we came out strong in the first quarter and set the tone. Girls played with a lot of energy and I like what we did on both ends. It was a strong game and we will prepare for Kingswood Monday night.” – MV’s Bob McNutt

Records: MV 1-0; Sanborn 0-1

Coe-Brown 43, Manchester West 37

Key players: Coe-Brown – Emma Broadstone (14 points), Molly York (7 points, 6 steals), Ava Telehala (6 points), Ellie Wolthuis (6 points)

Highlights: Wolthuis scored a buzzer beater to tie the game, 19-19, at halftime and Broadstone hit two 3-pointers to tie the game going into the fourth quarter. York had multiple steals in the fourth quarter and took control of the ball late in the game.

Coach’s quote: “We are an inexperienced varsity basketball team. We have a bunch to clean up. They never got down when they got behind a bit. Our girls just kept coming at them. It’s a lot of fun coaching this team.” – Coe-Brown’s Joe Vachon

Records: Coe-Brown 1-0; West 0-1

Kearsarge 45, Mascoma 25

Key players: Kearsarge – Caroline Camp (23 points), Hannah Goen (7 points), Addi Whitty (7 points)

Highlights: The Cougars started out slow, but Taylor Swanson grabbed some key rebounds to help Kearsarge start controlling the boards and point guard Rayna Tucker took charge of the floor offensively, distributing the ball well. The defense ramped up to hold off a hard-charging Mascoma team.

Coach’s quote: “The team faced some adversity in the first quarter, but showed a lot of grit and came back together as a team to pull off a win tonight.” – Kearsarge assistant Jim Tucker

Records: Kearsarge 1-0; Mascoma 0-1

Pembroke 51, Lebanon 35

Key players: Pembroke – Annelise Dexter (23 points), Ashley Stephens (13 points), Kaitlin Arenella (8 points)

Highlights: The Spartans closed out the game on a 15-0 run after the Raiders cut Pembroke’s lead to 34-33 in the first minute of the fourth quarter.

Coach’s quote: “After Lebanon cut our nine-point halftime lead to one early in the fourth, we showed a lot of maturity. We didn’t get rattled. Instead, we stepped up and went on a 15-0 run. It was a great win on the road against a tough opponent.” – Pembroke’s Steve Langevin

Records: Pembroke 1-0; Lebanon 0-1

White Mountains 23, Winnisquam 22

Key players: Winnisquam – Lauren MacDonald (8 points, 6 rebounds), Triniti Carter (4 points, 7 rebounds)

Highlights: The Bears came from behind to tie the game with 35 seconds left, but the Spartans made one more play to narrowly win.

Coach’s quote: “In a game that could have gone ether way White Mountains was able to make one more play then us. I think being the first game for both teams we had some opening game jitters. The team really settled down in the second half to come from behind by 10 points to tie the game up with 35 seconds to go. We had our chances to win it in the final seconds but just could not get the ball to fall. We have lots to work on, but I’m very proud of the kids and how hard they worked in the second half to give themselves a chance to win.” – Winnisquam’s Mark Dawalga

Records: White Mtns. 1-0; Winnisquam 0-1

John Stark 54, Pelham 35

Key players: John Stark – Eleanor Girardet (26 points, 11 rebounds), Avery Geaumont (12 points, 5 assists), Abby Duclos (10 points), Emma Dobbins (defense), Izabel Korbet (defense), Meg Mefford (defense); Pelham – Jasmine Becotte (20 points)

Highlights: The Generals opened up the game with a 17-0 run and led 21-4 at the end of the first quarter. Stark continued to play solid team defense and executed well at the offensive end.

Coach’s quote: “Great way to start the season. The team communication and effort was outstanding at both ends of the court. We still need to limit our self-inflicted turnovers, but overall I am extremely happy with our team play tonight.” – John Stark’s Bruce Johnson

Records: John Stark 1-0; Pelham 0-1

Hopkinton 44, Newport 30

Key players: Hopkinton – Maddie Carmichael (13 points, 7 rebounds), Kally Murdough (8 points, defense), Sierra Stone (8 points, 5 rebounds)

Highlights: After a sloppy first quarter the Hawks tightened up the defense, holding Newport to just six points in the middle two quarters.

Coach’s quote: “It was a typical first game with a lot of nerves on both sides. Once we settled down a little on offense we were able to take control of the game. We had contributions from everyone who played tonight. Tip of the cap to Newport who played hard the whole way.” – Hopkinton’s Patrick Roye

Records: Hopkinton 1-0; Newport 0-1

Pinkerton 66, Concord 38

Key players: Concord – Elli Cox (11 points), Aidah Smalley (9 points), Delaney Duford (7 points)

Highlights: Pinkerton led 15-8 after the first quarter and 31-13 at halftime. The Tide cut its deficit to 14 points heading into the fourth quarter and played more aggressively, but Concord was forced to take some chances in the final frame and the Astros capitalized on them.

Coach’s quote: “I am happy to see some fight in our players. It is real easy to be down 18 at halftime and not try to fight back. Our girls fought hard and really competed. While we were without one of our top players, we got a chance to see some younger players really get an opportunity to get quality varsity minutes. Our lone senior on the floor tonight – Elli Cox – did a great job in the second half finding open teammates and creating easy offense. If we can clean up some things at the free throw line, on the boards and at the rim, we will be just fine.” – Concord’s Tim LaTorra

Records: Pinkerton 1-0; Concord 0-1

Wrestling

Concord 4th at Salem Blue Devil Classic

Key players: Concord – Kody Rashed (195 champion), Jaycee Haskell (220 champion), Hunter Jeffers (285 runner-up), Wesley Thompson (3rd at 138), Jordan Reyes (3rd at 160), Austin Wells (3rd at 285), Kaevryel Madison (4th at 152), Rumi Mistry (4th at 170), Noah Blake (4th at 182)

Highlights: The Tide finished fourth out of six teams in its first tournament of the season.

Winnisquam 30, Bow 27

Key players: Winnisquam – Aemon Gauthier (win by pin at 113), Luke Cote (win by forfeit at 152), Caelan Roberts (win by forfeit at 170), Eric Sweeney (win by forfeit at 195), Brendan Parry (win by forfeit at 220); Bow – Adler Moura (win by pin at 120), Ben McDowell (8-1 win by decision at 138), Nicklus Wray (win by pin at 145), Joe McDowell (win by pin at 160), Jackson Hall (win by pin at 182)

Highlights: The Falcons won five of six contested divisions, but the Bears used their depth to accrue points via forfeits and Henry Osmer forced Ben McDowell to win by decision instead of pin, giving Winnisquam the slight edge in the season-opening dual meet for both teams on Wednesday.

Swimming

Girls: Concord 62, Bow 47, Hopkinton 12
Boys: Bow 46, Concord 27

Key players: Concord – Lily Peterson (1st 500 free), James LeMahieu (1st boys 100 butterfly), David Wicks (1st 100 backstroke); Bow – Sarah Guerrette (1st girls 50 free, 1st girls 100 free), Lena Thompson (1st girls 200 IM, 1st 100 backstroke), Aryaa Bhusari (1st girls 100 butterfly), Andrew Conley (1st boys 50 free, 1st 100 breaststroke), Ryan Powers (1st boys 100 free, 1st boys 200 free); Hopkinton – Cailey Stockwell (1st girls 200 free, 1st 100 breast stroke)

Highlights: The Falcons won more individual events, but the Tide girls swept all three relays, with quartet of Rayya Burns, Lily Peterson, Grace Qiu and Molly Nyhan winning both the 400 freestyle and 200 medley relay in Friday night’s season-opening meet at Concord YMCA. Stockwell – Hopkinton’s lone swimmer – won both of her events.

Belmont, Bishop Brady,
MV at Conant

Key players: Belmont – Ella Wineriter (1st girls 100 free), Chloe Wineriter (1st girls 100 backstroke); Bishop Brady – Roisin Lawlor (1st girls 50 free, 2nd girls 100 free), Cole Chaudhari (1st boys 100 breaststroke); MV – Hannah Verville (2nd girls 50 free)

Highlights: Belmont and Bishop Brady each picked up two wins, while Verville competed well as the lone MV swimmer in a meet at Conant last weekend.