Girls’ Basketball

Merrimack Valley 60, John Stark 29

Key players: MV – Kayla Smith (27 points), Jada Lucas (6 points), Aliyah Tsao (6 points); John Stark – Haley Stafford (13 points, 11 rebounds, 4 steals, 4 rebounds)

Highlights: MV led 18-8 after the first quarter and 35-12 at halftime. Smith scored her 1,000th career point. The victory wraps up the No. 6 seed for the Pride in the Division II postseason tournament which begins next week. 

Coaches’ quotes:  “We got to celebrate our three seniors and to top it off Kayla scored her 1,000th point. Couldn’t have asked for a better night. This team has had a great season and I’m very proud of them.” – MV’s Bob McNutt

“We had a lot of fun this season and grew a lot as a team. Our seniors were true leaders for us, always keeping this positive despite the outcome.” – John Stark’s Tiffany Warren

Records: MV 13-5; John Stark 4-14

Laconia 57, Bishop Brady 40

Key players: Laconia – Macy Swormstedt (16 points), Makayla Keegan (12 points all in the 2nd half); Bishop Brady  – Claire Jackson (18 points, 13 in the 1st half), Maia Dow (6 points)

Highlights: The Giants started out strong and were able to break the Sachems press, trailing first-place Laconia just 23-18 at halftime. But Brady made too many mistakes turning the ball over in the second half and Laconia went on a 22-8 run in the third quarter to open up the game, the Giants’ final game of the season.

Coach’s quote: “Laconia is the number one seed for a reason, they move fast and don’t make many mistakes. I thought we played very hard tonight minus two of our starters. I’m proud of the fight our three freshmen gave Laconia tonight. We didn’t make it easy for them. Jackson showed up and did what she could do.” – Bishop Brady’s Steve Aubertine  

Records: Laconia 17-1; Bishop Brady 4-14

Boys’ Basketball

Merrimack Valley 81,
John Stark 72

Key players: MV – Aiden Gray (28 points, 5 assists), Nic Oglesby (28 points, 8 rebounds), Ethan Dukette (12 points, 2 assists); John Stark – Joey Dykstra (16 points), Hayden Pond (15 points)

Highlights: John Stark jumped out to an early 10-point lead, but MV was able to chip away and took a one-point lead at the half. MV led by 17 at the end of the third quarter, but John Stark fought back to cut it to six, but the Pride held on for the win. MV will be the No. 10 seed for the Division II playoffs. 

Coach’s quote: “We came out very flat and had to fight back against a hard-playing, well-coached John Stark team. Aiden Gray and Nic Oglesby willed us to the win with their relentless attacking of the basket.” – MV’s Kelly O’Brien

Records: MV 11-7; John Stark 4-14

Laconia 74,
Bishop Brady 59

Key players: Bishop Brady – Ryan Casey (career-high 32 points), Alex Pelletier (10 points)

Highlights: Brady trailed 17-4 at end of first quarter. The Giants played Laconia even the rest of the way, but couldn’t close the gap in their season finale.

Coach’s quote: “Much improved this year. We brought a more competitive attitude towards the games and practices. The kids deserve all the credit for competing hard every night in Division II.” – Bishop Brady’ds John Billings

Records: Laconia 4-14; Bishop Brady 3-15

Girls’ Hockey

Concord 7, Keene-Monadnock-Fall Mtn. 1

Key players: Concord – Claire Brown (3 goals), Brooke Nelson (3 goals), Evianna Raimo (goal), Kaylee DelloIacono (17 saves)

Highlights: Concord got the scoring going early and quickly, going up 4-0 in the first period.

Coach’s quote: “Our team came together and played some of our best hockey. They moved the puck and communicated very well and it showed. I’m proud of the effort after a tough loss on Sunday.” – Concord’s Kate Billings

Records: Concord 13-4; Keene 11-6

Boys’ Nordic Skiing

Kearsarge, Concord at Keene Skate Relays

Key players: Kearsarge – Andrew Brahan and Benjamin Clough (9th), Ned Stepp and Jacob Chabot (13th); Concord  – Benjamin Poole and Evan Anderson (14th)

Highlights: Pairs from Kearsarge and Concord competed in a skate style relay race hosted by Keene at the Dublin School on Wednesday. Brahan and Clough were the top area pair out of 29 that competed. Hanover, Derryfield, Fall Mountain, Lebanon and Winnacunnet also competed. This concludes the regular season for area Nordic teams, which will compete in the state championship next Wednesday at the Great Glen Trails in Gorham.

Girls’ Nordic Skiing

Concord, Kearsarge at Keene Skate Relays

Key players: Kearsarge – Katherine Blagden and Ava Valle (4th); Concord  – Lila Doherty and Phoebe Dater-Roberts (16th)

Highlights: Skiers from Concord and Kearsarge competed in pairs in a skate relay race at the Dublin School on Wednesday to end the regular season. Blagden and Valle were the top area pair out of 23 that competed. Keene, Hanover, Lebanon and Winnacunnet also competed. The Nordic state championships will be held next Wednesday at the Great Glen Trails in Gorham.