It was a middle-of-the-pack season for area Division II boys’ basketball.
Four teams made the tournament and were seeded from fifth to 11th, with only one of them advancing to the second round. In total, area teams went 47-66 and provided some good moments in the basketball scene from the opening tip-off until the final whistle in the last game.
Here’s a closer look at how the capital’s Division II programs fared this season, in order by win total:
Key game: 51-48 win at Coe-Brown on Jan. 31.
Key moment: Securing a top-five seed by closing out the season on a four-game win streak that started against Coe-Brown on Jan. 31.
Season end: 64-61 loss to Lebanon in the quarterfinals.
Final marks: It was certainly an interesting year for the Spartans’ boys program. After rattling off six consecutive wins to open the season, where it won by an average of 15.6 points, Pembroke only won three of its next eight that produced a mid-season coaching change. The Spartans rallied, however, and won five in a row, including their first-round playoff game. Senior guard Mike Pitman earned Second-Team All-State honors for his play during the year and he, along with four others, ended their careers at PA with a winning record.
Key game: 54-42 win at Bow on Feb. 1.
Key moment: Regular-season finale win over Bishop Brady to secure a playoff spot and a higher seed as a result of the head-to-head matchup.
Season end: 43-42 loss to Laconia in the preliminary round.
Final marks: The Bears’ record doesn’t accurately reflect just how sound of a team they were this season. Eight of their losses were decided by five points or fewer, including their playoff game. But closing out games and narrowly losing is the difference between a ninth seed as Coe-Brown was and, say, a first-round bye. Jack Lano, a senior forward, earned Honorable Mention All-State honors, and coach David Smith is set to get nine players back for next season.
Key game: 46-43 win against Kingswood on Jan. 28.
Key moment: Defensive stop late in the Kingswood game to secure the victory, Brady’s last of the season.
Season end: 53-50 loss to Kennett in the preliminary round.
Final marks: Last season, the Giants took the court without winning a game. This year, with two key transfers in guards Ivan Yen and Gumee Mbata, the Giants won nine games and squeaked their way into the playoffs as a 10th seed. While the additions of Yen and Mbata were critical – Yen earned First-Team All State honors and Mbata got Honorable Mention – the play of senior guard Matt Wiley down the stretch was commendable. Second-year coach Gary Lavoie has the Brady program trending in the right direction and will look to make the next step this offseason.
Key game: 70-45 win over Kingswood on Feb. 5 to finalize a playoff spot.
Key moment: Three consecutive wins in the middle of the season to get back to a near-.500 record.
Season end: 58-51 loss to Sanborn in the preliminary round.
Final marks: Three coaches in three years would be difficult for any group of athletes to endure at any level of play. The Falcons’ new coach in Scott Drapeau installed another new system for the program to learn, and while it took some games, overall they got it. Led by senior Owen Petretta (Second-Team All-State), the Falcons made their way up and down the schedule with enough wins to make it into the tournament as the 11th seed. Drapeau will have his hands full next year as he’ll have to replace seven seniors, but look for Mark Folsom to be a player to watch.
Key game: 58-57 win at Laconia on Jan. 5.
Key moment: Three-game win streak, highlighted by a one-point victory (58-57) at tournament-bound Laconia on Jan. 5.
Season end: 63-57 season-finale loss to Coe-Brown.
Final marks: The Pride showed potential for being a solid basketball program throughout the season, noticeably in an early-season game against Lebanon. While it was a two-point loss, MV was without coach Tim Mucher and some players that provide extra depth for the blue and white. Senior guard Eli Gove (Honorable Mention) was one of the leaders for MV and will be a tough player to replace next season. Some names to watch for next year include Trevor Simonds and Gavin Blake.
Key game: 62-45 win over Kingswood on Jan. 24.
Key moment: The Generals’ win against Kingswood snapped a 13-game losing streak.
Season end: 54-43 loss at Coe-Brown on Feb. 2.
Final marks: With only one senior on the roster in guard Chad Smith, there were plenty of new varsity basketball players for John Stark on the floor this season. While a one-win season is hard to go through, it does create a sense of toughness and a foundation with knowledge. This will be an important offseason and developmental period for coach Mike Smith’s program, but Smith’s 22 years at the helm provide a stable force amid the growth.