Boys’ Basketball

Pembroke 54, Merrimack Valley 45

Key players: Pembroke – Joe Fitzgerald (38 points), Zach Bemis (7 points), Evan Berkeley (5 points); MV – Nic Oglesby (13 points, 8 rebounds), Trevor Simonds (8 points)

Highlights:  Fitzgerald faced a double team all night, but still put 38 points on the board to carry the Spartans to a victory. The game was close throughout, but Pembroke made some key shots down the stretch.

Coaches’ quotes: “MV is one tough team. Down their best player, they played a very good game and are always a tough opponent. I thought our guys showed poise in the fourth quarter, outscoring them 23-11 to close it out. Very proud of them.” – Pembroke’s Michael Donnell

“I like the way how we started tonight but it didn’t go our way. We have big games next week so hopefully we can use some things we learned today for next week.” – MV’s Tim Mucher

Records: Pembroke 9-1; MV 5-6

Coe-Brown 51, Laconia 49

Key players: Coe-Brown – Connor Bagnell (19 points, 4 assists), Jack Matson (13 points, 8 rebounds), Quinn Salter (4 points, 4 rebounds), James McKane (6 rebounds), Ryan Kouchoukos (6 assists)

Highlights:  Bagnell scored a pair of free throws with eight seconds left in the game and then the Bears made a huge stop to pick up a narrow victory over the Sachems. Coe-Brown trailed by two points at halftime, regained the lead in the third quarter, but Laconia took the lead again in the fourth. The Bears played a “team defensive gem” throughout the game, according to head coach David Smith.

Records: Coe-Brown 8-2; Laconia 7-5

Kearsarge 55, Raymond 41

Key players: Kearsarge – Noah Whipple (19 points, 6 steals, 6 rebounds), Eli Whipple (13 points, 3 rebounds), Eddie Kinzer (8 points, 3 rebounds), Drew Huff (7 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals), Parker Goin (4 points, 4 rebounds), Austin Needham (defense), Bragen Kinzer (defense)

Highlights:  The Cougars played excellent defense on Raymond’s Dre Duffaut throughout the game and led 37-16 at halftime. Eli Whipple went 5-for-6 from the free throw line in the third quarter and Noah Whipple played very well defensively to help Kearsarge preserve the lead. Eddie Kinzer, Huff, Needham, Goin and Bragen Kinzer all chipped in on the defensive rotation to slow down the Rams, and Huff played his most well-rounded game of the season as the Cougars won their seventh straight.

Coach’s quote:  “Tonight was a great team effort, especially on the defensive end with multiple steals and deflections. I was happy for senior captain Eddie Kinzer, as he played tremendous defense on Dre, but also helped us on the offensive end getting eight points early to set the tone. His energy was contagious and we need that to be successful moving forward.” – Kearsarge’s Nate Camp

Records: Kearsarge 10-3; Raymond 6-5

Girls’ Basketball

Nashua South 58, Concord 55, OT

Key players: Concord – Sofia Payne (19 points, 10 rebounds), Whitney Vaillant (11 points, 10 rebounds), Delaney Duford (11 points)

Highlights: The Tide lost on the road in overtime.

Coach’s quote: “Another tough loss, we let this one get away. This one will sting for a while.” – Concord’s Rob Darrell

Records: Nashua South 5-6; Concord 2-8

Laconia 59, Coe-Brown 35

Key players: Laconia  – Mekhia Burton (23 points), Macy Swormstedt (13 points); Coe-Brown – Eliah Crawn (6 points), Kalina Kasprzak (6 points), Hannah Meehan (6 points), Emily Lapierre (6 points)

Highlights: Laconia took a early 11-point lead. The Bears cut it to five in the middle of the second quarter, but the Sachems went on a 13-0 run in the last three minutes of hte first half and never looked back. 

Coach’s quote: “This was a step forward for us. We got knocked down early, but this time we stood up and fought back.” – Coe-Brown’s Joe Vachon

Records: Laconia 10-1; Coe-Brown 4-6

Pembroke 59, Merrimack Valley 39

Key players: Pembroke – Annelise Dexter (22 points), Kate Stephens (16 points), Anne Phillips (9 points), Taylor Renna (8 points); MV – Kayla Smith (18 points), Izzy Navoy (10 points)

Highlights: After a back-and-forth first quarter, Pembroke led by nine at halfitme and by 12 heading into the final quarter on Friday night.

Coach’s quote: “Playing MV is always a battle. Their girls always compete so hard and they throw everything at you throughout the game. Except for a 30-second blip in the second quarter, we played an excellent game, as everyone did their part.” – Pembroke’s Steve Langevin

Records: Pembroke 10-0; MV 5-6

Pembroke 54, Plymouth 29

Key players: Pembroke – Annelise Dexter (24 points), Kaitlin Arenella (8 points), Anne Phillips (overall great game); Plymouth – KK Merrifield (10 points)

Highlights: Dexter scored 16 of her 24 points in the third quarter as Pembroke doubled its halftime lead, and Phillips did a little of everything, playing excellent defense with multiple steals and dishing several assists in Thursday’s game.

Coach’s quote: “We were a little sluggish in the first half, but really picked up our defense in the second half, which helped get our offense going.” – Pembroke’s Steve Langevin

Records: Pembroke 9-0; Plymouth 3-6