They’ve been playing against Division II teams for most of the season, and both Kearsarge and Hopkinton look ready to make deep runs when the D-III boys’ basketball tournament starts next week.
Before getting there, they have a home-and-home series with each other that started on Tuesday night in North Sutton. Kearsarge’s 50-46 home win only confirmed the postseason expectations for both teams.
“Both teams played at a really high level, there is no question that Hopkinton is a final four caliber team, so this was a great battle for us both mentally and physically,” Cougars coach Nate Camp said.
Kearsarge (9-3) found that high level right away and scored the first 12 points of the game. The Hawks (7-5) responded and held a 26-24 lead by halftime, but Hopkinton coach Stephen Signor knows his team needs to find more consistency to reach its potential.
“You can’t spot a team 12 points to start the game and expect to win against a team like Kearsarge,” Signor said. “It was great to see we were able to responded to that early run and settled down the rest of the first half. If we play like the last 27 minutes of the game we will be tough in the playoffs.”
The Cougars nosed in front after halftime and took a 37-36 lead going into the fourth quarter. Hopkinton’s defense was focused on shutting down Kearsarge’s Chris Stanchfield and Sam Carl, and the Hawks held the pair under their scoring averages, but they both made late plays to help seal the win. Carl (four points, nine assists, four rebounds) got a key bucket and a foul, while Stanchfield (13 points, four rebounds) found an easy two of a nice back cut.
“We had a lot of players step up and make plays, and it was nice to see them execute down the stretch when it mattered,” Camp said. “And both teams played tremendous defense.”
George Jallah finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Cougars. Nolan Grant added 10 points and three boards, Bobby Needham had six points and Adrian McCarthy chipped in three points and six rebounds.
“We did a nice job on their top two scorers, but gave up too many to the rest of their starters,” Signor said. “But they’re tough because they’re very deep with guys coming off the bench contributing points.”
Owen Milchick had a game-high 21 points for the Hawks and Brendan Elrick added 12 points.
“This was a great, playoff-type atmosphere game with two local rivals,” Camp said. “Coach Signor does a great job and our players know their players really well from growing up playing youth sports. Class act all the way around by both teams.”
These two play again on Thursday in Hopkinton. After that, Kearsarge will host Newport in a D-III Region Two first round playoff game on Monday. Hopkinton will host a second round D-III Region Three game on March 3 against the winner of Monday’s Monadnock at Conant first round game.
Concord 48, Trinity 44
Key players: Concord — Ava Woodman (23 points), Elizabeth Blinn (13 points), Elli Cox (point guard play), Delaney Duford (playmaking); Trinity — Tour 12 pointsGiunta 10 points
Highlights: Concord trailed 24-8 early in the second quarter in Manchester before full-court defense, transition buckets and offensive balance led to a 16-5 run for the Crimson Tide, which cut Trinity’s lead to 29-24 by halftime. Concord scored just six points in the third quarter, but the Pioneers scored only two, so the Tide took a 35-27 lead into the fourth quarter that it would hold to end of the game. After losing four straight, Concord has now won two in a row as it heads into the regular-season finale at home on Friday against Trinity.
Coach’s quote: “We’re staring to show signs of what we could be with some unselfish play and solid defense. I’m proud of our kids. We’ve had plenty of obstacles this year, but there is a level of consistent perseverance that we’ve also had that they should be proud of. We play Trinity again on Friday and we’re going to need to make sure we’re ready because they’re a much-improved team.” — Concord’s Tim LaTorra
Records: Concord 5-6; Trinity 6-7
Pembroke 46, Laconia 36
Key players: Pembroke — Annelise Dexter (15 points), Ashley Stephens (8 points); Laconia — Mekhia Burton (14 points), Isabella Daly (12 points)
Highlights: Pembroke never trailed and pulled the upset by starting the third quarter with a 9-0 run to expand a four-point halftime lead to 13, 35-22.
Coach’s quote: “It was probably our most complete game of the season. We played great team basketball and assisted on 14 of our 17 baskets.” — Pembroke’s Steve Langevin
Records: Pembroke 5-7; Laconia 10-2
Merrimack Valley 43, Coe-Brown 42
Key players: Merrimack Valley — Macy Gordon (21 points), Mackenzie McDonald (10 points), Haley Kenney (10 points, six steals), Emily Koufos (7 rebounds); Coe-Brown — Jenny Bettencourt (12 points)
Highlights: Coe-Brown held a 21-15 lead at halftime in Penacook as both teams stuggled to find points. MV upped its energy and defensive pressure in the third quarter, outscoring the Bears 21-5 in those eight minutes. The Pride carried that momentum for the first part of the fourth quarter before the Bears made a final push that came up just short. They’ll face each other again Thursday night in Northwood.
Coach’s quote: “We had a hard time closing out the game. End of the day it’s still a win and we’re happy with the result.” — MV assistant coach Chris Irving
Records: Merrimack Valley 7-7; Coe Brown 4-10