The Kearsarge girls’ basketball team knew it could keep up with a Merrimack Valley, but getting a win was a different story.
The Cougars took their first loss of the season at the hands of MV in their own gym back on Jan. 20.
Four games and three weeks later, Kearsarge cashed in on its chance at a rematch with a 47-44 win over the Pride in Penacook on Friday.
“I want to highlight everyone on this team,” Kearsarge Coach Keith Roberts said. “We just played really hard and did enough to win tonight.”
Meg Roy led the Cougars (13-3) with 13 points, followed by Devi Kraushaar with eight. Caitlin Prescott, Maicy Hansen and Madison Courser added six points each.
Kearsarge fell behind, 7-2, with four minutes left in the first quarter. The Cougars went on to end the half with a 25-3 run and led by 12 points at halftime.
The Cougars have missed freshman guard Madi Brayshaw, one of their top scorers, the last two games while she recovers from a concussion.
“It was so good to see,” Roberts said. “I’m very proud of this group.”
It was the fourth loss in the last five games for MV. The Pride (9-6) will look to bounce back at Plymouth on Friday.
Kearsarge is back on its home court Tuesday to play Sanborn. The Cougars then play at Conant on Friday in the final game of their regular season.
Manchester Central 48,
Concord 36
Key players: Concord – Brighid Weeden (14 points, 8 rebounds), Gabby Evans (5 points), Jada Duvert (9 rebounds, 2 steals)
Highlights/key moments: Concord trailed by three after the first quarter at Central, but Central used full court pressure and a couple of 3-point shots to outscore the Tide, 16-5, in the second quarter and take a 28-14 lead at halftime. The Tide regrouped at the half and outscored Central 13-8 in the third quarter, cutting the lead to nine. But Central didn’t let the Tide get any closer over the final eight minutes.
Coach’s quote: “We played with them for three quarters, but had trouble with their pressure in the second and that was the difference tonight.” – Concord’s Mike Achilles
Records: Concord 2-10; Central 6-7
Bishop Brady 65, Coe-Brown 47
Key players: Bishop Brady – Sam Will (24 points, 14 rebounds), Riley Bennett (21 points, 9 rebounds), Sofia Riccio (6 points), Lily Rivera (5 points, 3 rebounds), Sarah Doherty (5 points, 4 assists); Coe-Brown – Shannon Riley (16 points, 16 rebounds), Ahna McCusker (14 points, 5 rebounds)
Highlights/key moments: Will and Bennett combined for 45 points to push the Giants to their 12th win while dealing Coe-Brown its second consecutive loss.
Coach’s quote: “We fought out every play and have lots to work on in our last four games of the regular season to better prep for post season.” – Brady’s Annie Alosa
Records: Bishop Brady 12-2; Coe-Brown 8-7
Bow 36, John Stark 32
Key players: Bow – Lea Crompton (12 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists), Patty Nordin (7 points, 4 offensive rebounds), Julia Landcastle (6 points)
Highlights/key moments:
Coach’s quote: Crompton led the Falcons to their second straight win. Bow has now won three of its last four games after losing two straight. Stark has lost two of its last three games.
Records: Bow 9-5; Stark 6-7
Pelham 73, Pembroke 44
Key player: Pembroke – Morgan Allen (12 points, 10 rebounds)
Highlights/key moments: Red-hot Pelham took its ninth straight win as Pembroke lost the third of its last four games.
Coach’s quote:
Records: Pembroke 5-9; Pelham 12-1
Franklin 49, Raymond 16
Key players: Franklin – Anna Doherty (14 points), Zoe Kaplan (11 points)
Highlights/key moments: The Golden Tornadoes established a lead early and continued to build to get back into the win column
Coach’s quote:
Records: Franklin 4-11; Raymond 0-14
Kearsarge first, Bishop Brady second, Belmont third, Bow fifth
Key players: Kearsarge – Brie Von Beren (1st slalom, 1st GS), Izabella Von Beren (6th slalom, 5th GS), Bee Chambers (7th slalom); Brady – Olivia Crainich (3rd slalom, 3rd GS), Silvia Caldesi (4th slalom, 6th GS); Belmont – Katie Gagnon (2nd slalom, 2nd GS), Abby Camire (13th slalom); Bow – Megan Lavign (11th slalom, 13th GS); Gilford – Jenny Hancock (5th slalom, 4th GS), Bailey Hildreth (10th GS); Laconia – Nicole Turpin (14th slalom, 16th GS).
Highlights/key moments: Brie Von Beren’s big day at Gunstock led the Cougars to a first-place finish with 762 points. Brady (756), Belmont (712) and White Mountains (629) rounded out the top four, while Bow (628) finished fifth. Gilford, Laconia, Newfound and Hillsboro-Deering also competed in the 11-team meet.