Sure, maybe it wasn’t the ultimate goal at the top of the ladder for the long season that lies ahead. But for the Concord boys’ basketball team, Friday’s 61-47 win over Kearsarge in the Capital Area Holiday Tournament championship game at NHTI meant more than just a trophy.
“I’m really kind of happy for the guys. They’ve lost for so long and this is something that, it’s not the Division I championship, but it’s a start,” Concord Coach Dave Chase said. “They’re learning how to win. We’re 4-2 at this time right now and they only had three wins all last year so definitely a start for them.”
Chase is the man tasked with turning the program around in his first year at the helm after some down seasons for the Crimson Tide. Picking up the first holiday tournament championship for the team since 2006 is a goo place to start.
“I think they’ve been on a mission all summer and I thought we did some good stuff over the fall. They’re learning, obviously, and we’re taking baby steps and getting better,” Chase said. “This was one of our goals at the start of the season to win this tournament.”
Behind a total team effort that included three double-digit scorers – led by 18 points from tournament MVP Matt Giroux – the Tide did just that.
Tyler Blodgett (12 points), Tyler Bruns (14 points) and John Kalisz (eight points) all played instrumental parts in the victory as Concord put together a balanced and efficient performance, shooting 6 of 14 from deep, 15 of 22 at the free throw line and turning the ball over just three times.
“I think it’s great motivation for us because we know now that we can win,” Giroux said, still making his way through celebratory hugs and high fives. “We still have to stay focused on the regular season. We have a big game coming up against Exeter … so we’re just trying to stay focused in the locker room and get ready for Friday.”
While the Tide took care of business on its end limiting turnovers, the same couldn’t be said for Kearsarge, which had eight in the first half and 17 total but still led 30-29 at halftime thanks to a buzzer-beating 3-pointer from Tom Johnson (21 points).
The other big problem for the Cougars was getting standout center Tayler Mattos in rhythm, especially during a critical juncture in the third quarter where Concord rattled off an 11-2 run to take a 45-36 lead. Mattos, who dominated through the first two games of the tournament, was held in check with eight points and 14 rebounds.
“The third and fourth quarters we really just had a hard time scoring and when that happens and they do try to speed you up, it’s a matter of staying calm and being able to execute,” Kearsarge Coach Nate Camp said. “We had too many careless turnovers from a variety of people that don’t usually do that so that was definitely the difference.”
Concord’s third-quarter run was fueled by those turnovers and a number of contributors. Giroux and Kalisz both turned mistakes into easy layups on the other end, while Bruns drilled a 3-pointer and capped off the hot stretch with a tough bucket inside to aid the nine-point swing.
Kearsarge did its part defensively in the final quarter in holding the Tide to 11 points, but didn’t get the offensive jolt it needed as Concord milked away the clock and went 9-for-12 from the foul line.
“I didn’t like the second quarter where we gave up 19, but we held them to 11 in the fourth which we needed to do,” Camp said. “We just needed to have a 20-point quarter. We needed to create more offense.”
Kearsarge hopes to ride its tournament success into the regular season when the Cougars travel to Campbell on Tuesday. Concord returns to action Friday at home against Exeter.
Pittsfield 55,
Portsmouth Christian 47
Key players: Pittsfield – Cam Darrah (18 points, 13 assists), Josh Whittier (11 points, 10 rebounds), Dylan Bocash (8 points), Matt St. George (8 points)
Highlights/key moments: Pittsfield led the consolation game at the Farmington Holiday Bash from start to finish, moving the ball well in transition to find plenty of open looks.
Coach’s quote: “We worked on clock management and defensive rebounding. We look forward to getting back to our divisional games to start the new year.” – Pittsfield’s Jay Darrah
Records: Pittsfield 4-1; Portsmouth Christian 1-2
Belmont 60, Kingswood 53, 3OT
Key players: Belmont – Trevor Hunt (26 points, 14 rebounds, 4 steals), Derek Stevens (10 points, 4 assists), Caleb Burke (defense), Griffin Embree (defense)
Highlights/key moments: Jonny LeClair scored all seven of his points for the Raiders in overtime, hitting a big 3-pointer in the first extra frame and forcing a third overtime with a pair of clutch free throws. The win locked up a first-place finish at Gilford’s holiday tournament.
Coach’s quote: “We just kept battling. We were down at the end of every quarter and we took it away in the end. … I can’t say enough about the guys. They played their butts off.” – Belmont’s Jim Cilley
Records: Belmont 4-1; Kingswood 1-1
UNH Morning Meet
Key players: MV – 4×400 (1st), Brandon Wood (1st 55 hurdles in 8.14, 1st shot put at 41-2.5, 2nd 300), Joey Baylus (1st high jump at 5-6, 2nd 55, 2nd 55 hurdles), Herman Nixon (1st 600 in 1:36), Isaiah Shedd (1st 1,000 in 2:49), David Reynolds (2nd 3,000, 5th 1,500), Dylan Guinard (2nd 1,000), Ryan Latorella (2nd shot put), John Barger (3rd 300, 4th 55), Matthew Lyle (3rd 1,000); Belmont – 4×160 (1st), Nick Randos (2nd 1,500), Nicholas Mackes (2nd high jump, 5th long jump), River Mathieu (3rd 55), Eli Allman (3rd 55 hurdles), Isaiah Knowlton (3rd 3,000), Ian Remenar (4th 55 hurdles), Bryan Slater (5th 55 hurdles); Gilford – Michael Wernig (3rd 600)
Highlights/key moments: Merrimack Valley won six events and scored in 11 of 12 events to dominate the 10-team meet, remaining undefeated through three meets. The Pride tallied 94 points, more than doubling runner-up Belmont (42). Milford (40), Sanborn (30), Portsmouth Christian (18), Prospect Mountain (18), St. Thomas (17), Souhegan (6) and Gilford (4) rounded out the team scores.
UNH Morning Meet
Key players: MV – 4×400 (1st), Kristie Schoffield (1st 600 in 1:41), Kaitlyn Covell (1st 55 hurdles in 9.24, 2nd 300), Addie Hodge (4th long jump, tied 6th high jump), Lauren Rouse (4th, 3,000), Emma York (4th 1,000), Noelle Colarusso (4th high jump), Nicole Considine (5th high jump, 6th 1,000), 4×160 (3rd); Belmont – Alice Riley (2nd 3,000), Jessica Hutchinson (3rd 1,000), Jasmine Syed (4th 600), Kaitlyn Delisle (5th 55), Alexus Day (5th 1,000), Sana Syed (5th long jump, 4×160 (5th), 4×400 (5th); Gilford – Natalie Fraser (3rd 300); Winnisquam – Emily DeCormier (4th 55), Socorra Summers (6th 55 hurdles)
Highlights/key moments: The Pride scored in 10 of 12 events and won three to finish third in the 10-team meet. Souhegan (79.5) and Milford (64) were the top two teams. MV (52.5), Belmont (26), St. Thomas (25), Sanborn (24), Portsmouth Christian (13), Gilford (4), Winnisquam (4) and Prospect Mountain (2) rounded out the team scores.