Pembroke’s Sean Menard poured in 29 points to help Lakes edge Coastal, 59-57, on Thursday night in Nashua to clinch a spot in the Granite State Games boys’ basketball championship game.
Concord’s Jonathan Shamash scored seven points and grabbed 13 rebounds while Winnisquam’s Kyle Mann and Belmont’s Aidan Rupp chipped in five points apiece.
The Granite State Games follow the Olympic model – with four regions competing in multiple sports – and feature some of New Hampshire’s top amateur athletes under the age of 19. Lakes will play in the boys’ basketball championship on Friday at Southern New Hampshire University starting at 7:30 p.m. The girls’ basketball championship will precede it at 6 p.m.
Coach Mike Donnell of Franklin is guiding the Lakes team and has been impressed with how quickly the players from eight different schools have developed chemistry on the court.
“It’s really a joy to watch as a coach,” he said.