They were challenged at halftime, found a win in the last minute and celebrated at the buzzer. But the Kearsarge boys’ basketball team didn’t overreact after it beat Hopkinton on Saturday, 49-48, handing the Hawks (13-1) their first loss of the season.
“I was all hyped up and running around and high-fiving and hugging everybody,” Kearsarge Coach Nate Camp said. “And the kids were excited, but they acted like they had been there before, which was awesome to see.”
The Cougars (12-2) were the Division III runners-up last year, so in a way, they have been there before. There are some key players back from last season, like juniors Tayler Mattos and Tom Johnson, but there’s only one senior on Kearsarge’s roster.
“They grew up tonight,” Camp said. “They believed in themselves, and then they went out and proved it.”
The win is the 11th in a row for the Cougars, who last lost on Dec. 19 to … Hopkinton, 42-40.
The Hawks appeared on their way to another win in the rematch. They took a 12-8 lead after the first quarter and pushed it to 32-23 by halftime behind 16 first-half points from Cam Cyr, including four 3-pointers.
Camp wasn’t happy with his team’s defensive performance in the opening 16 minutes, and he let everyone in the locker room know it.
“I challenged them,” Camp said. “I told them I thought they would play with more heart, play with more courage.”
The Cougars responded to the challenge, and the adjustments. Camp switched from a man defense to a 1-3-1 zone in the second half and the change worked. Cyr scored just four points after the break and Hopkinton’s lead was down to two, 40-38, going into the fourth quarter. Kearsarge sophomore Kyle Hernon (nine points, seven rebounds) also played a key role in that third-quarter run.
Mattos (23 points, 14 rebounds) gave Kearsarge a 47-46 lead with a pair of made free throws with 2:00 left. Hopkinton’s Henry Yianakopolis (18 points) answered with a layup to put the Hawks up by one. The Cougars missed on the other end, but Kearsarge junior Joe Storozuk came up with a steal as Hopkinton was trying to stall to give the Cougars another chance.
Johnson made the most of that chance when he hit a floater in the paint with less than :30 left to give Kearsarge a 49-48 lead.
“It bounced around the rim and then dropped,” Camp said, “and the place went crazy.”
The Hawks had two chances at the game-winner, but neither would fall.
“It was a tough, physical game and we played hard to the end,” Hopkinton Coach Stephen Signor said.
“It was a huge win for us and just a great game. Hopkinton brought a great crowd, we had a great crowd, it was a playoff atmosphere and everyone delivered,” Camp said. “Coach Signor and his team played with lots of heart and most likely we’ll see them again down the road.”
(Tim O’Sullivan can be reached at 369-3341 or at tosullivan@cmonitor.com or on Twitter @timosullivan20.)
Prospect Mountain 34,
Belmont 30
Key players: Belmont – Nicole Antonucci (9 points), Sarah Chase (8 points, 7 rebounds), Julianna Estremera (6 points), Taylor Yelle (defense)
Highlights/key moments: Belmont led 17-14 at halftime and 24-21 going into the fourth quarter, but the Timberwolves found a way to score down the stretch and win their fifth straight game.
Coach’s quote: “Overall I was pleased with the defensive pressure and the way we controlled the tempo of the game. It was a close game and they’re a good team.” – Belmont’s Mark Dawalga
Records: Belmont 9-7; Prospect Mountain 15-1
BOYS’ HOCKEY
Concord 6, Exeter 2
Key players: Alex Marceau (2 goals, assist, Colin Kastle (2 goals), Liam O’Brien (2 goals), Andy Cole (4 assists), Griffin Gilbert (9 Saves)
Highlights/key moments: The Crimson Tide came out on fire, building a 4-0 lead in the first period. Exeter came back with two unanswered goals in the second, but MArceau and Kastle both scored in the third to seal the win.
Coach’s quote: “We played well for the most part. We need to keep playing consistently heading into the final two weeks. We have four left that will all be tough games.” –Concord’s Dunc Walsh
Records: Concord 13-1-0; Exeter 3-11-0
Concord 4, Souhegan 1
Key players: Lilly Vezina (2 goals), Emily Forward (goal), Olivia Branch (goal), Delana Erickson (assist), Nicole Jones (assist), Maggie Connolly (assist)
Highlights/key moments: After a scoreless first period, Vezina and Forward scored unassisted goals for the Crimson Tide. Maddy Audet made eights saves.
Records: Concord 11-4; Souhegan 3-6