The 900 Degrees Pizzaria Thursday Thoughts for 1/8/2015
2015-01-08
Spencer Feng of the Keene Blackbirds
By Dave Haley
Before we get to the weekly column we want to announce an addition to our NHsportspage team. Mike Pezone has agreed to come on board as staff writer and will be covering basketball & football for us for going forward. I’ve been on the lookout for another writer to bring in for some time and Mike was the choice after I became a regular reader of his former website Sugar Valley Sports.
Mike is our fourth Keene State College alum on the team (I take care of my own..) and is a former sports editor of the Eagle Times in Claremont. Mike’s addition means we can cover more games and provide even more content to you, our readers.
On another topic if you are a coach or parent who would like to email us game statistics please do so..we have a network of coaches & parents doing that already but we need more.
On to the games;
Division I
Pembroke Academy (3-0) at Pinkerton Academy (3-0)
The two tallest rotations in the state square off in a game I will be covering Friday night with The Great Jon Kesty in Derry.
Pembroke is one of the few teams that can actually match the size of the Astros frontline and vice versa. Matt Alosa’s team will depend upon 6’7 center Rob Wilson and 6’5 Cam Taylor to control the glass while Pinkerton will roll out a frontline of 6’9 Tommy Olsen, 6’6 Caleb Godin and 6’7 Ben Olsen. Brennan Morris has stepped up into a scorer’s role for the Astros with his ability to knock down three pointers on the wing while Matt Rizzo and Drew Green have both been major contributors early.
The difference maker here is Pinkerton point guard Geo Baker. The Spartans have struggled with quick guards and how they defend Baker Friday night goes a long way towards determining who comes out of this match-up undefeated. The Spartans will score points; 6’5 Dominic Timbas and 6’8 Max Curran both will put up numbers and each is more comfortable out on the perimeter. Their ability to shoot from the outside will open up room on the block for Wilson.
This game will come down to how well Pembroke defends Baker up top and Green and Morris out on the wings. On the other side Pinkerton needs to prove they can defend an elite offense, there are jholes in the extended zone defense Pinkerton brings at you and Pembroke has the shooters to make them pay.
We will bring you all the coverage, highlights and post-game interviews in one of our two games of the week.
Manchester Central (2-0) at Manchester Memorial (1-2)
The coverage of both teams in sponsored by 900 Degrees Pizzaria
It was a tale of two halves when these two city rivals met in the premiere game of the annual holiday tournament. The first half went to Kabongo Ngalakulondi and the Crusaders…the second half to Joey Martin and the Little Green. Memorial head coach Jack Quirk will tell you that with his team it is about playing disciplined and avoiding the crucial mistake that turns a game in the wrong direction. Against Central they failed to avoid it as they could not protect a nine point fourth quarter lead and fouled Nate Guillermo 60 feet from the basket in the final seconds. Central scored on a put back off a missed free throw and moved on in a game that ultimately didn’t count in the standings.
Friday night they get back at it and no two teams in the state of New Hampshire know each other better than these two who play regular pick-up games together during the off-season. It will be about execution Friday night and at this point in the season neither team is a sure thing…too many new faces that haven’t proven themselves yet.
Craig Preston has really stepped up into a bigger role for the Crusaders and his ability to stretch the Central defense with his shooting will be a key. For Central it is about getting consistent play from Jaylen Leeroy in the post and how they defend Kabongo, who scored 19 points in the first half in the last meeting.
Pete Tarrier and Jennifer Chick will be there Friday night to bring you all the coverage, highlights and post-game interviews.
Alvirne (3-0) at Nashua North (1-2)
The Broncos opened up some eyes with their win at Memorial Tuesday night and have gotten off to a very nice start in Brian Lynch’s first season as head coach (after replacing Seth Garon who had to step down for family reasons).
The Broncos have a good chemistry within this group and have been led by point guard Danny Brown, a much improved Connor Hodsdon and ‘Twitter Assassin’ Sam Bonney-Liles . George Notini gives this team a good perimeter defender while Evan Hunt and Andrew Wetmore have the ability to bang down low or play out on the perimeter. This isn’t a real big team (really who is after we ran off the Pembroke and Pinkerton rotations..) but the Broncos rebound well as a unit.
In Nashua North they face a similar team led by their point guard Ronnie Silva, who does a nice job running the offense without turning the ball over. Silva can be up & down as far as his perimeter shooting but Steve Lane’s team has a good mix that includes an improved Nathan Hale giving them size at 6’4 on the wing and forward Brennan Kastens who owns an actual back to basket game in the low post. The Titans best defender may be Brandon Rodriguez who will be looked upon to cover Alvirne’s group of forwards. The team that wins the rebounding battle likely walks out with a victory.
The New Hampshire High school Hoop Show with Pete Tarrier & I returns Saturday at 8 am with Pembroke Academy head coach Matt Alosa as our guest.
Listen live on 96.7 FM on the seacoast, WGIR 610 AM in Manchester or listen all over the state online at http://www.iheart.com/live/WGIR-AM-610-2752/ starting at 8 o’clock Saturday morning.
Division III
Newport (4-0) at Gilford (3-1)
This is a really good measuring stick game for two teams that feel like they have a shot to be on the floor at Southern New Hampshire University in March.
The Tigers won a rivalry game at Stevens Tuesday night (a great gym and never an easy place to win) behind a 41 point, 10 rebound monster performance from first team all-state forward Andrew Houde (who was once underrated,,,then thought to be overrated ,,and now I believe back to underrated..). Newport has seemed to react well to Mike Hatt as their new head coach and they are a team three legitimate scoring threats surrounded by a few tough/hardnosed football players..never a bad mix.
Houde is better when he is playing on the wing and so the emergence of Spencer Coronis as a ball handler is crucial to this team’s success. Jesse Stiffler gives Newport a knock down shooter on the wing and on Friday night they are going to make Gilford’s guard tandem of Carter Mercer, Zach Djaberlarbi and ‘The Human Hurricane’ Max Troiano guard them behind the three point line. That opens space for Houde to get to the lane and if you are Gilford, where your problems can start.
The Alma mater has the bigger team and in fact Newport may struggle against a frontline of Kaleb Orton, Mike Madore (11 rebounds against Belmont) and Kyle Gaudet. Houde is going to have to sacrifice time out on the perimeter to rebound so look for Gilford to try and establish the paint early.
A key in the game may be the Golden Eagles ability to utilize 6’4 small forward Coby Goodwin. Gilford head coach Chip Veazey usually won’t play Goodwin as much against an elite group of perimeter players because of his defense, where he can get exposed by smaller forwards. If Goodwin can stay on the floor his ability to knock down shots opens up the lane for Orton and the rest of the Gilford big men because he is a player you have to account for defensively.
Mascoma (2-2) at Franklin (2-2)
Interesting match-up between two teams that got a look at each other in the recent Hanover Holiday Tournament (we actually called it a Christmas tournament back when I played…the nerve we had in the 90’s..). Franklin pulled off the ‘Did you see that score??’ of Tuesday night when they knocked off arch-rival Winnisquam and a lot of credit has to go to new head coach Rich Otis. Franklin was a zone defensive team when Otis and assistant Roger Hawthorne arrived but the transition to a man to man unit is coming together even earlier than expected.
Franklin can legitimately protect the rim with 6’7 center Dana Bean (19 ppg) and has gotten all-state play from point guard Kenny Torres (20 ppg). With shooting guard Bruce Carey producing every night it has given Franklin a nice trio to build around and on Friday night Mascoma comes in in need of a kick start.
The Royals are always tough at home but they have struggled outside of their own gym and will look to turn things around behind big man Walter Hammond (who gets the Dana Bean assignment) and the guard combo of Andrew Cashe and Alex Schwarz. These are two teams fighting for a top 10 spot in the division…should be a good one in the Lakes Region.
Division IV
Profile (2-2) at Nute (2-2) Thursday night
The coverage of Profile is sponsored by Crosstown Motors
North travels south….somewhat south…Thursday night when Paul Greenlaw’s team faces off with Scott Currier’s better than you thought Nute team.
Nute can flat out score evidenced by the fact that Connor Bradway (24.3 ppg) and Mark Levesque (18 ppg) are among the leading scorers in the division. Currier’s team is going to push the pace and hope Profile follows. The Patriots point guard position is still somewhat in flux and while Greenlaw would rather play all-state guard Ian Baker out on the wing he is often forced to do otherwise.
Profile will run a lot of sets offensively so Nute is going to have to communicate defensively. The Patriots were hoping for Reed Weekes (5.5 ppg) to step up into a second scorer’s role but it hasn’t happened yet. Jordan Webb has played well at the forward spot but he isn’t a reliable 10 to 12 points a game starter and that is what Profile is lacking as December turned into January. Greenlaw will try and win with execution because if this turns into a shootout its Nute’s game to lose.
Mike is our fourth Keene State College alum on the team (I take care of my own..) and is a former sports editor of the Eagle Times in Claremont. Mike’s addition means we can cover more games and provide even more content to you, our readers.
On another topic if you are a coach or parent who would like to email us game statistics please do so..we have a network of coaches & parents doing that already but we need more.
On to the games;
Division I
Pembroke Academy (3-0) at Pinkerton Academy (3-0)
The two tallest rotations in the state square off in a game I will be covering Friday night with The Great Jon Kesty in Derry.
Pembroke is one of the few teams that can actually match the size of the Astros frontline and vice versa. Matt Alosa’s team will depend upon 6’7 center Rob Wilson and 6’5 Cam Taylor to control the glass while Pinkerton will roll out a frontline of 6’9 Tommy Olsen, 6’6 Caleb Godin and 6’7 Ben Olsen. Brennan Morris has stepped up into a scorer’s role for the Astros with his ability to knock down three pointers on the wing while Matt Rizzo and Drew Green have both been major contributors early.
The difference maker here is Pinkerton point guard Geo Baker. The Spartans have struggled with quick guards and how they defend Baker Friday night goes a long way towards determining who comes out of this match-up undefeated. The Spartans will score points; 6’5 Dominic Timbas and 6’8 Max Curran both will put up numbers and each is more comfortable out on the perimeter. Their ability to shoot from the outside will open up room on the block for Wilson.
This game will come down to how well Pembroke defends Baker up top and Green and Morris out on the wings. On the other side Pinkerton needs to prove they can defend an elite offense, there are jholes in the extended zone defense Pinkerton brings at you and Pembroke has the shooters to make them pay.
We will bring you all the coverage, highlights and post-game interviews in one of our two games of the week.
Manchester Central (2-0) at Manchester Memorial (1-2)
The coverage of both teams in sponsored by 900 Degrees Pizzaria
It was a tale of two halves when these two city rivals met in the premiere game of the annual holiday tournament. The first half went to Kabongo Ngalakulondi and the Crusaders…the second half to Joey Martin and the Little Green. Memorial head coach Jack Quirk will tell you that with his team it is about playing disciplined and avoiding the crucial mistake that turns a game in the wrong direction. Against Central they failed to avoid it as they could not protect a nine point fourth quarter lead and fouled Nate Guillermo 60 feet from the basket in the final seconds. Central scored on a put back off a missed free throw and moved on in a game that ultimately didn’t count in the standings.
Friday night they get back at it and no two teams in the state of New Hampshire know each other better than these two who play regular pick-up games together during the off-season. It will be about execution Friday night and at this point in the season neither team is a sure thing…too many new faces that haven’t proven themselves yet.
Craig Preston has really stepped up into a bigger role for the Crusaders and his ability to stretch the Central defense with his shooting will be a key. For Central it is about getting consistent play from Jaylen Leeroy in the post and how they defend Kabongo, who scored 19 points in the first half in the last meeting.
Pete Tarrier and Jennifer Chick will be there Friday night to bring you all the coverage, highlights and post-game interviews.
Alvirne (3-0) at Nashua North (1-2)
The Broncos opened up some eyes with their win at Memorial Tuesday night and have gotten off to a very nice start in Brian Lynch’s first season as head coach (after replacing Seth Garon who had to step down for family reasons).
The Broncos have a good chemistry within this group and have been led by point guard Danny Brown, a much improved Connor Hodsdon and ‘Twitter Assassin’ Sam Bonney-Liles . George Notini gives this team a good perimeter defender while Evan Hunt and Andrew Wetmore have the ability to bang down low or play out on the perimeter. This isn’t a real big team (really who is after we ran off the Pembroke and Pinkerton rotations..) but the Broncos rebound well as a unit.
In Nashua North they face a similar team led by their point guard Ronnie Silva, who does a nice job running the offense without turning the ball over. Silva can be up & down as far as his perimeter shooting but Steve Lane’s team has a good mix that includes an improved Nathan Hale giving them size at 6’4 on the wing and forward Brennan Kastens who owns an actual back to basket game in the low post. The Titans best defender may be Brandon Rodriguez who will be looked upon to cover Alvirne’s group of forwards. The team that wins the rebounding battle likely walks out with a victory.
The New Hampshire High school Hoop Show with Pete Tarrier & I returns Saturday at 8 am with Pembroke Academy head coach Matt Alosa as our guest.
Listen live on 96.7 FM on the seacoast, WGIR 610 AM in Manchester or listen all over the state online at http://www.iheart.com/live/WGIR-AM-610-2752/ starting at 8 o’clock Saturday morning.
Division III
Newport (4-0) at Gilford (3-1)
This is a really good measuring stick game for two teams that feel like they have a shot to be on the floor at Southern New Hampshire University in March.
The Tigers won a rivalry game at Stevens Tuesday night (a great gym and never an easy place to win) behind a 41 point, 10 rebound monster performance from first team all-state forward Andrew Houde (who was once underrated,,,then thought to be overrated ,,and now I believe back to underrated..). Newport has seemed to react well to Mike Hatt as their new head coach and they are a team three legitimate scoring threats surrounded by a few tough/hardnosed football players..never a bad mix.
Houde is better when he is playing on the wing and so the emergence of Spencer Coronis as a ball handler is crucial to this team’s success. Jesse Stiffler gives Newport a knock down shooter on the wing and on Friday night they are going to make Gilford’s guard tandem of Carter Mercer, Zach Djaberlarbi and ‘The Human Hurricane’ Max Troiano guard them behind the three point line. That opens space for Houde to get to the lane and if you are Gilford, where your problems can start.
The Alma mater has the bigger team and in fact Newport may struggle against a frontline of Kaleb Orton, Mike Madore (11 rebounds against Belmont) and Kyle Gaudet. Houde is going to have to sacrifice time out on the perimeter to rebound so look for Gilford to try and establish the paint early.
A key in the game may be the Golden Eagles ability to utilize 6’4 small forward Coby Goodwin. Gilford head coach Chip Veazey usually won’t play Goodwin as much against an elite group of perimeter players because of his defense, where he can get exposed by smaller forwards. If Goodwin can stay on the floor his ability to knock down shots opens up the lane for Orton and the rest of the Gilford big men because he is a player you have to account for defensively.
Mascoma (2-2) at Franklin (2-2)
Interesting match-up between two teams that got a look at each other in the recent Hanover Holiday Tournament (we actually called it a Christmas tournament back when I played…the nerve we had in the 90’s..). Franklin pulled off the ‘Did you see that score??’ of Tuesday night when they knocked off arch-rival Winnisquam and a lot of credit has to go to new head coach Rich Otis. Franklin was a zone defensive team when Otis and assistant Roger Hawthorne arrived but the transition to a man to man unit is coming together even earlier than expected.
Franklin can legitimately protect the rim with 6’7 center Dana Bean (19 ppg) and has gotten all-state play from point guard Kenny Torres (20 ppg). With shooting guard Bruce Carey producing every night it has given Franklin a nice trio to build around and on Friday night Mascoma comes in in need of a kick start.
The Royals are always tough at home but they have struggled outside of their own gym and will look to turn things around behind big man Walter Hammond (who gets the Dana Bean assignment) and the guard combo of Andrew Cashe and Alex Schwarz. These are two teams fighting for a top 10 spot in the division…should be a good one in the Lakes Region.
Division IV
Profile (2-2) at Nute (2-2) Thursday night
The coverage of Profile is sponsored by Crosstown Motors
North travels south….somewhat south…Thursday night when Paul Greenlaw’s team faces off with Scott Currier’s better than you thought Nute team.
Nute can flat out score evidenced by the fact that Connor Bradway (24.3 ppg) and Mark Levesque (18 ppg) are among the leading scorers in the division. Currier’s team is going to push the pace and hope Profile follows. The Patriots point guard position is still somewhat in flux and while Greenlaw would rather play all-state guard Ian Baker out on the wing he is often forced to do otherwise.
Profile will run a lot of sets offensively so Nute is going to have to communicate defensively. The Patriots were hoping for Reed Weekes (5.5 ppg) to step up into a second scorer’s role but it hasn’t happened yet. Jordan Webb has played well at the forward spot but he isn’t a reliable 10 to 12 points a game starter and that is what Profile is lacking as December turned into January. Greenlaw will try and win with execution because if this turns into a shootout its Nute’s game to lose.