D-IV Girls’ Basketball

No. 12 Moultonborough 46, No. 12 Franklin 40

Key players: Moultonborough – Makenna Eichorn (11 points, 3 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 blocks), Madison Hart (10 points, 4 assists, 4 steals), Alicia Johnson (10 points, 11 rebounds, block), Payton Bernow (11 points, 3 points, 3 assists); Franklin – Kourtney Kaplan (18 points, 4 rebounds, 3 steals, block), Lily Cornell (9 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, block), Maddie Doherty (8 points, 9 rebounds, 3 steals), Payton Cloutier (3 assists, 2 steals, 2 rebounds), Sage Slocum (4 points, 3 rebounds, 3 steals), Savaughna Slocum (4 points, 3 rebounds)

Highlights: Playing in their first home playoff game since 2012, the Tornadoes took an early lead in the first quarter, but the Panthers hit three 3-pointers later in the frame to tie the game, 15-15, and Moultonborough pulled away in the second quarter for a 34-24 halftime lead. Franklin locked down defensively in the second half, allowing just five points in the fourth quarter and no Panther baskets over the final four minutes of play, but couldn’t muster enough offense of its own to close the gap. The Tornadoes closed the gap to six points a couple of times in the fourth, but their shots didn’t fall down the stretch in Tuesday night’s Division IV prelim. Franklin trailed 41-33 at the end of the third quarter.

Records: Moultonborough 11-8; Franklin 14-5

Girls’ Basketball

John Stark 48, Bishop Brady 43

Key players: John Stark – Haley Stafford (17 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists), Kylie Dinan (14 points, 8 rebounds); Bishop Brady – Claire Jackson (18 points), Maia Dow (11 points), Ella Blanchette (defense)

Highlights: Stark led 31-14 at halftime, but Brady used an 18-7 third quarter to cut the deficit. Brady was within one point of the Generals in the closing minutes of the game, but Stark held on.

Coaches’ quotes: “Haley Stafford played a great game for us today controlling the tempo and finding the open teammate. We were happy to secure another win this season.” – John Stark’s Tiffany Warren

“Made some adjustments, which, along with full court pressure, got us back in the game … School vacation week hurt us again tonight, losing two starters, we had the ‘next man up’ attitude, making it a game in the second half. Ella Blanchette played an outstanding game on defense.” – Bishop Brady’s Steve Aubertine

Records: John Stark 4-13; Bishop Brady 4-13

Coe-Brown 61, Plymouth 24

Key players: Coe-Brown – Emma Lapierre (16 points), Hannah Meehan (13 points)

Highlights: Coe-Brown controlled the game start to finish, outscoring Plymouth 19-6 in the second quarter to put the game away early. Coe-Brown will be on the road for next week’s Division II tournament.

Coach’s quote: “Nice to see a win go through the basket.” – Coe-Brown’s Joe Vachon

Records: Coe-Brown 8-10; Plymouth 7-11

Boys’ Basketball

Pembroke 63, Merrimack Valley 51

Key players: Pembroke – Evan Berkeley (30 points); MV – Aiden Gray (18 points, 5 rebounds), Nic Oglesby (12 points, 4 rebounds, 3 steals), Rodier Phaneuf (9 points, 9 rebounds)

Highlights: Pembroke outscored MV, 27-17, in the fourth quarter to win an otherwise close game. The Spartans have one more regular season game on Friday when they host Milford. Pembroke is currently in first place in Division II.

Coach’s quote: “We fought the whole game against a good Pembroke team, but came up short at the end. Looking to play hard again on Thursday as we finish up the regular season at John Stark.” – MV’s Kelly O’Brien

Records: Pembroke 15-2; MV 10-7

John Stark 50, Bishop Brady 44

Key players: John Stark – Cam Carpenter (17 points), Avery Grolljahn (12 points, 11 rebounds), Hayden Pond (8 points), Joey Dykstra (8 points); Bishop Brady – Ryan Casey (18 points), Emmanuel Boko (10 points)

Highlights: The Generals jumped out to an early lead, 18-8 at the end of the first quarter, but Brady fought back. A huge charge picked up by Dykstra and some timely foul shooting by Carpenter allowed the Generals to maintain control at the end.

Coaches’ quotes: “We had some different guys step up for us tonight and it was great to see. Avery and Cam hit some timely shots for us, and it is a testament to the work that they have put in all season.” – John Stark’s Mike Smith

“Credit to John Stark. Classy team, well-coached, did all the things they needed to do to win.” – Bishop Brady’s John Billings

Records: John Stark 4-13; Bishop Brady 3-14

Coe-Brown 52, Plymouth 31

Key players: Coe-Brown – Matthew Flanagan (20 points, 5 rebounds), James McKane (9 points, 3 assists), Grant Hayes (8 points), Ryan Kouchoukos (7 points, 7 rebounds), Jack Matson (6 points, 10 rebounds)

Highlights: The Bears wrapped up the regular season with a win over the Bobcats, securing a No. 4 or No. 5 spot for the Division II postseason tournament, which begins next week.

Records: Coe-Brown 14-4; Plymouth 0-18