Beals Insurance Game of the Week coverage: Newport 70, Sunapee 53
2015-01-29
Spencer Coronis of Newport
By MICHAEL PEZONE NH Sports Page
NEWPORT, N.H. — Andrew Houde joked that he didn't remember.
His game-high 45 points were the punch line.
Because unlike a season ago, Division IV Sunapee had no answer for the Newport boys basketball team's All-State forward this year. And as a result, it was the D-III Tigers who were left celebrating a 70-53 victory Jan. 28, and season sweep of their cross-town rival.
Newport (8-2) avenged a pair of deflating losses to the Lakers a year ago, including one in its home gym that drew instant criticism after the winning team was seen posing for celebratory photos under the scoreboard.
"To be honest, I kind of forgot about it until you said something," said a smirking Houde, when asked about the moment. "But now that you say it, it definitely fueled me. And the team. We just played a great game — a complete game."
Senior point guard Spencer Coronis was a bit more direct.
"We tried to make a point," said Coronis, who finished with nine points and 16 assists. "Last year we lost two heartbreakers — one home and one away. The one here I think hurt all of us more because we were up so much and they came back and hit three after three. It was ridiculous. So we came in and just wanted to prove a point tonight."
The Tigers were on the verge of proving that point early if not for the play of Sunapee junior Issaiah Chappell (team-high 31 points). The point guard scored all 12 of his team's first-quarter points, including a rare four-point play and buzzer-beating jumper to cut the deficit to five by the end of the frame.
But the Lakers struggled to keep pace from there, and converted just one field goal in the second on its way to a 39-20 halftime deficit. After that, it was the Houde show as the senior captain scored all 14 of his team's third-quarter points and 13 of his team's 20 fourth-quarter points to seal the win.
Sunapee converted four 3-pointers in the final quarter — six in all — but it wasn't enough to prevent a second straight loss and season sweep from its non-divisional rival. Matt Tenney (12 points) was the only other Lakers player to finish in double figures.
"We swept them last year with an experienced team, and now it's roles reversed," said Sunapee coach Ed Tenney, whose team will host the defending D-IV champions Epping (6-2) on Jan. 30. "They've got the experience and they played like it. It's a team loss. We played poorly and we can't afford to do that against somebody this good."
Newport coach Michael Hatt was also quick to preach team, despite a box score with one obvious outlier in Houde. The first-year coach credited his role players for finding Houde when he was open, and Houde for passing up shots for his teammates.
Six different Tigers players figured in on the team's scoring, which would be a rare feat in recent seasons. And while no scorer besides Houde finished in double figures, Hatt made sure to praise the efforts of Jesse Stiffler (eight points), Josh Murphy (four points), Zach Whalen (two points) and CJ Lawrence (two points).
"The great thing about what we're doing now is (Houde's) not trying to do it all on his own," Hatt said. "He's trusting his teammates and his teammate's are getting him open looks. It just makes everything easier."
Coronis echoed those thoughts, and credited his new coach for creating an environment where those role players could feel more comfortable. After all, it was just a season ago that inter-team turmoil was credited for derailing the fourth-ranked Tigers, paving the way for a second-round loss.
"I give coach Hatt a lot of credit," Coronis said. "He's telling the guys, 'When you're open, shoot the ball.' He's giving the guys more confidence. 'Play your own game. Don't not take the shot if you're open just because Houde and Spencer are out there.' It's not like that this year. Everyone contributes. Even when (Houde) has 45 or whatever he had tonight, he was still sharing the ball."
His game-high 45 points were the punch line.
Because unlike a season ago, Division IV Sunapee had no answer for the Newport boys basketball team's All-State forward this year. And as a result, it was the D-III Tigers who were left celebrating a 70-53 victory Jan. 28, and season sweep of their cross-town rival.
Newport (8-2) avenged a pair of deflating losses to the Lakers a year ago, including one in its home gym that drew instant criticism after the winning team was seen posing for celebratory photos under the scoreboard.
"To be honest, I kind of forgot about it until you said something," said a smirking Houde, when asked about the moment. "But now that you say it, it definitely fueled me. And the team. We just played a great game — a complete game."
Senior point guard Spencer Coronis was a bit more direct.
"We tried to make a point," said Coronis, who finished with nine points and 16 assists. "Last year we lost two heartbreakers — one home and one away. The one here I think hurt all of us more because we were up so much and they came back and hit three after three. It was ridiculous. So we came in and just wanted to prove a point tonight."
The Tigers were on the verge of proving that point early if not for the play of Sunapee junior Issaiah Chappell (team-high 31 points). The point guard scored all 12 of his team's first-quarter points, including a rare four-point play and buzzer-beating jumper to cut the deficit to five by the end of the frame.
But the Lakers struggled to keep pace from there, and converted just one field goal in the second on its way to a 39-20 halftime deficit. After that, it was the Houde show as the senior captain scored all 14 of his team's third-quarter points and 13 of his team's 20 fourth-quarter points to seal the win.
Sunapee converted four 3-pointers in the final quarter — six in all — but it wasn't enough to prevent a second straight loss and season sweep from its non-divisional rival. Matt Tenney (12 points) was the only other Lakers player to finish in double figures.
"We swept them last year with an experienced team, and now it's roles reversed," said Sunapee coach Ed Tenney, whose team will host the defending D-IV champions Epping (6-2) on Jan. 30. "They've got the experience and they played like it. It's a team loss. We played poorly and we can't afford to do that against somebody this good."
Newport coach Michael Hatt was also quick to preach team, despite a box score with one obvious outlier in Houde. The first-year coach credited his role players for finding Houde when he was open, and Houde for passing up shots for his teammates.
Six different Tigers players figured in on the team's scoring, which would be a rare feat in recent seasons. And while no scorer besides Houde finished in double figures, Hatt made sure to praise the efforts of Jesse Stiffler (eight points), Josh Murphy (four points), Zach Whalen (two points) and CJ Lawrence (two points).
"The great thing about what we're doing now is (Houde's) not trying to do it all on his own," Hatt said. "He's trusting his teammates and his teammate's are getting him open looks. It just makes everything easier."
Coronis echoed those thoughts, and credited his new coach for creating an environment where those role players could feel more comfortable. After all, it was just a season ago that inter-team turmoil was credited for derailing the fourth-ranked Tigers, paving the way for a second-round loss.
"I give coach Hatt a lot of credit," Coronis said. "He's telling the guys, 'When you're open, shoot the ball.' He's giving the guys more confidence. 'Play your own game. Don't not take the shot if you're open just because Houde and Spencer are out there.' It's not like that this year. Everyone contributes. Even when (Houde) has 45 or whatever he had tonight, he was still sharing the ball."