D-III Girls’ Basketball

No. 3 Winnisquam 64, No. 14 Belmont 32

Key players: Winnisquam – Lauren MacDonald (35 points, 7 rebounds), Bella Sargent (11 points, 11 rebounds), Triniti Carter (6 points, 10 rebounds), Caidyn Carter (5 points), Sophia Braun (4 points, 14 rebounds), Aeva Dessalines (3 points), Vanessa Power (5 rebounds), Leah Morrison (4 rebounds)

Highlights:  The Bears played well on both ends of the floor to build a 17-6 lead after the first quarter and 36-14 lead at halftime to defeat the Raiders in the Division III preliminary round. Winnisquam will host No. 11 Mascoma in Saturday’s quarterfinal.

Coach’s quote:  “I thought tonight we really played great team defense. Lauren MacDonald, Bella Sargent and Trinti Carter led the offense, with Caidyn Carter, Sophia Braun, Vanessa Power, Avea Dessalines and Leah Morrison played outstanding defense against a very good Belmont team. I thought our first half defense really set the tone for the game. When we stay connected on defense it really gets our offense going. Great team effort all around.” – Winnisquam’s Mark Dawalga

Records: Winnisquam 13-4; Belmont 7-12

No. 4 Kearsarge 62, No. 13 Fall Mountain 40

Key players: Kearsarge – Tessa Marinello (21 points), Ava Shapiro (16 points, four 3s), Jada Kendrigan (12 points, four 3s), Ociee Ilg (10 points), Adara Boucher (3 points); Fall Mtn. – Kelsey Fillion (13 points, three 3s), Sophia Grillone (9 points)

Highlights: Marinello led the way with 21 points and the rest of her teammates combined for 10 3-pointers as the Cougars defeated the Wildcats in the first round of the Division III tournament. Kearsarge will host No. 5 Gilford in Saturday’s quarterfinal.

Coach’s quote: “Solid team effort tonight with four people in double figures and solid defense in the second half.” – Kearsarge’s Ed Tenney

Records: Kearsarge 13-5; Fall Mtn. 6-10