The Beals Insurance Thursday Thoughts for 2/26/2015
2015-02-26
Christian Serrano and Winnisquam head to Gilford with a lot of the line
By Dave Haley
This week it is an abridged version of the Thoughts, as opposed to last week’s 4,000 word odyssey, with Division IV wrapped up and off on Friday night.
Saturday’s New Hampshire high School basketball show will be our annual Bracketology Special where we will forecast the first round match-ups in both Division III & Division IV. Lisbon head coach Sam Natti will help break down Division IV while Hopkinton head coach Dave Chase will be on later in the hour to try and sort out the Division III bracket.
As always we’ll re-cap all the Friday night games in Division I & II as Pete Tarrier and Jon Kesty will have coverage of Manchester Memorial vs. Merrimack Friday night in our fourth Game of the Week.
Listen live on 96.7 FM on the seacoast, WGIR 610 AM in Manchester or listen all over the state online at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJxo5vWEn2o&feature=youtu.be
Very important for us to thank those of you who have shown your support for the work we do every day covering high school sports. We are truly appreciative of those who have donated and your support is crucial if we are able to continue on with the level of coverage we bring you.
v=uJxo5vWEn2o&feature=youtu.be
Thank you to our most recent donators:
Christine & Keith Brown of Pelham
Jim & Binny Mulvey of Portsmouth
Mike & Brooke Sullivan of Plymouth
Bill Grimes of Woodsville
Ed & Holly Tenney of Sunapee
Brian Gadwah of Groveton
Jamie Walker of Woodsville
Eric Saucier of Conant
Matt Regan & Next Level Hoops of Pelham
Black Frog Company of Littleton
Mark & Louise Collins of Groveton
Danny Bryson of Manchester West
Scott Currier of Nute
Kirk Palladino of Milford
Debbie and Alan Ball
Cole Etten of Bishop Brady
Benjamin Curran of Pembroke
Mike Heaney of Souhegan
Mike Boehm of Souhegan
Tim Malinoski of Portsmouth
Paul Coveney of Londonderry
And Joe Martin of Manchester Central
These people are making our coverage possible, at the end of the day the number represents less than 10% of our daily audience so we hope more people will show their support in the coming weeks as we cover over 20 tournament games and championship games from all four divisions. Thank you so much!
Division I
Manchester Memorial (7-7) at Merrimack (8-7)
We describe Memorial often like Doctor Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, so how lucky for me for the purposes of this preview that we saw both show up on separate nights in the last week.
The inconsistent team that often treats defense like ‘that other side of the floor we’re not that interested in’? That was on display a week ago when they gave up 87 points to Exeter in an eight point loss.
The scary Memorial team that is afraid of no one and can beat any team in the state when they are dialed in? That team showed up Tuesday night at home when Londonderry needed a Marc Corey bank shot with ten seconds left and a Trevon Moughn miss at the buzzer to remain undefeated 64-63.
With all the coming & goings, suspensions and even frost bite the Crusaders still have a shot at a top 8 seed and a home playoff game (you think Londonderry wants to see these guys again?). To get there they’ll have to beat Tim Goodridge’s team, one of the best defensive units in Division I. The Tomahawks got 28 points from Austin Franzen Tuesday night and if they are going to get scoring like that they are a team capable of hanging around when the games become one & done in two weeks.
Every time you hear whispers of trouble over at Memorial they seem to rally and play well. Just when you think they have tightened the lid and are ready for a run they tend to stumble. With two weeks left and everything to play for they cannot afford the hit or miss routine…we will be there with all the coverage Friday night in our Division I Game of the Week.
Division II
Kennett (9-7) at Coe-Brown (9-6)
Very big game for both teams: if Kennett has any hope of a home playoff game they need to earn a season split with the Bears by winning in Northwood. For David Smith’s team they can wrap up a home playoff game and also keep the pressure on Milford (10-5) whom they were beaten by earlier this season and would lose the tie-breaker against.
If you are Coe-Brown you know you have a coach with a history of pulling off upsets in the tournament, at the same time you’ve probably seen enough of Portsmouth lately (two losses by an average of 17 points) to know you’re better off on the other side of the bracket. That means getting to the seven spot.
Kennett head coach Steve Cote runs good sets offensively but at the end of the day it comes down to all-state point guard Brandon DiLucchio’s (15.6 ppg.) ability to create & kick out to shooters like Nick Graziano (14.6 ppg.). The Eagles struggle to create their own shot but have several big men in Will Pollard, Theo Scarlett and Drew MacDonald who can finish in the paint when DiLucchio sets them up. Portsmouth never allowed DiLucchio to get to the second level of the defense and thus it was a struggle for Kennett from the jump.
Coe-Brown pulled out a 57-51 win up in Conway last month, a season sweep keeps them alive for move up the ladder before the season ends.
Milford (10-5) at Merrimack Valley (11-4)
The thought back in 2011 that Milford could ever do anything quietly was like saying Keith Olbermann had an opinion but he just wasn’t ready to share it with anyone…well in 2015 Dan Murray’s team is rounding into shape at the right time and winners of five of their last six games.
The Spartans are getting good production from Kirk Palladino (16.1 ppg.), Jack Briggs (12.6), Drew Jepsen (11.6) and Dan Murray (8.5). Friday night they have a chance to muddy the first round picture even more with win over Merrimack Valley. Kevin O’Brien’s team is currently locked into the #5 seed but they’ll need to win here to keep it. Windham and Milford are only a game behind meaning Merrimack Valley could fall from 5 all the way to 8 with a loss.
Division III
Winnisquam (14-3) at Gilford (13-4)
A WHOLE lot riding on this one…as this is the game about four or five different teams in Division III will be affected by.
With a win the Alma Mater falls into the 5 seed with possible first round opponents Mascoma, Franklin or Bow. A second loss to Winnisquam, they lost in Tilton back in December, and Gilford falls to the 8 spot where they likely take on Hopkinton for the right to then go to Pelham(ED Note: absolutely no one wants to be in that position..).
For Winnisquam a win guarantees them a top 4 seed and a pair of home games. A loss drops them back in a vortex that includes Gilford, Campbell, Mascenic and Newport (and makes Dave Chase’s job even harder Saturday morning on our show).
Christian Serrano went over the 1,000 point career mark Tuesday night in a 79-57 win over Franklin, the third junior to do so in recent weeks (note: Spencer Coronis of Newport is 28 points away in his senior year). Gilford doesn’t know who it is getting its offense from night to night (they routinely have 10 different players score) but they are getting tremendous defense out of Nate Davis, Carter Mercer, Kyle Gaudet and one of the biggest frontlines in Division III.
The Bears are going to try and spread Gilford out and attack them from the perimeter, thus opening up driving lanes for Serrano. Gilford has to limit Winnisquam to one shot per possession and close out on their shooters like Tucker Normand and Tim Harmon if they are going to earn what would be a huge win in this Lakes Region rivalry.
Hopkinton (12-5) at Mascoma (10-6)
Similar stakes are in play in this one as the Hawks need to protect their spot with a win at Mascoma.
Dave Chase’s team is this years ‘beat who you should/lose to who you should’ outfit. They are 12-0 against every team ranked below them and 0-5 against teams ranked above them. This isn’t an indictment on Hopkinton, there is something to be said for taking care of business, but they fall into that category of ‘properly rated’. A Top 10 seed feels about right..
The issues for Jim Barry’s team have come on the offensive end. This is a Royals team known for its ability to score but in 2015 they’ve been held to 45 points or fewer on eight separate times. As a comparison Winnisquam averages 67 points a game.
Friday night Mascoma plays for a chance to tie Farmington (who still has to face Berlin) and Hopkinton and avoid dropping back into the mix with Franklin and Bow.
Saturday’s New Hampshire high School basketball show will be our annual Bracketology Special where we will forecast the first round match-ups in both Division III & Division IV. Lisbon head coach Sam Natti will help break down Division IV while Hopkinton head coach Dave Chase will be on later in the hour to try and sort out the Division III bracket.
As always we’ll re-cap all the Friday night games in Division I & II as Pete Tarrier and Jon Kesty will have coverage of Manchester Memorial vs. Merrimack Friday night in our fourth Game of the Week.
Listen live on 96.7 FM on the seacoast, WGIR 610 AM in Manchester or listen all over the state online at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJxo5vWEn2o&feature=youtu.be
Very important for us to thank those of you who have shown your support for the work we do every day covering high school sports. We are truly appreciative of those who have donated and your support is crucial if we are able to continue on with the level of coverage we bring you.
v=uJxo5vWEn2o&feature=youtu.be
Thank you to our most recent donators:
Christine & Keith Brown of Pelham
Jim & Binny Mulvey of Portsmouth
Mike & Brooke Sullivan of Plymouth
Bill Grimes of Woodsville
Ed & Holly Tenney of Sunapee
Brian Gadwah of Groveton
Jamie Walker of Woodsville
Eric Saucier of Conant
Matt Regan & Next Level Hoops of Pelham
Black Frog Company of Littleton
Mark & Louise Collins of Groveton
Danny Bryson of Manchester West
Scott Currier of Nute
Kirk Palladino of Milford
Debbie and Alan Ball
Cole Etten of Bishop Brady
Benjamin Curran of Pembroke
Mike Heaney of Souhegan
Mike Boehm of Souhegan
Tim Malinoski of Portsmouth
Paul Coveney of Londonderry
And Joe Martin of Manchester Central
These people are making our coverage possible, at the end of the day the number represents less than 10% of our daily audience so we hope more people will show their support in the coming weeks as we cover over 20 tournament games and championship games from all four divisions. Thank you so much!
Division I
Manchester Memorial (7-7) at Merrimack (8-7)
We describe Memorial often like Doctor Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, so how lucky for me for the purposes of this preview that we saw both show up on separate nights in the last week.
The inconsistent team that often treats defense like ‘that other side of the floor we’re not that interested in’? That was on display a week ago when they gave up 87 points to Exeter in an eight point loss.
The scary Memorial team that is afraid of no one and can beat any team in the state when they are dialed in? That team showed up Tuesday night at home when Londonderry needed a Marc Corey bank shot with ten seconds left and a Trevon Moughn miss at the buzzer to remain undefeated 64-63.
With all the coming & goings, suspensions and even frost bite the Crusaders still have a shot at a top 8 seed and a home playoff game (you think Londonderry wants to see these guys again?). To get there they’ll have to beat Tim Goodridge’s team, one of the best defensive units in Division I. The Tomahawks got 28 points from Austin Franzen Tuesday night and if they are going to get scoring like that they are a team capable of hanging around when the games become one & done in two weeks.
Every time you hear whispers of trouble over at Memorial they seem to rally and play well. Just when you think they have tightened the lid and are ready for a run they tend to stumble. With two weeks left and everything to play for they cannot afford the hit or miss routine…we will be there with all the coverage Friday night in our Division I Game of the Week.
Division II
Kennett (9-7) at Coe-Brown (9-6)
Very big game for both teams: if Kennett has any hope of a home playoff game they need to earn a season split with the Bears by winning in Northwood. For David Smith’s team they can wrap up a home playoff game and also keep the pressure on Milford (10-5) whom they were beaten by earlier this season and would lose the tie-breaker against.
If you are Coe-Brown you know you have a coach with a history of pulling off upsets in the tournament, at the same time you’ve probably seen enough of Portsmouth lately (two losses by an average of 17 points) to know you’re better off on the other side of the bracket. That means getting to the seven spot.
Kennett head coach Steve Cote runs good sets offensively but at the end of the day it comes down to all-state point guard Brandon DiLucchio’s (15.6 ppg.) ability to create & kick out to shooters like Nick Graziano (14.6 ppg.). The Eagles struggle to create their own shot but have several big men in Will Pollard, Theo Scarlett and Drew MacDonald who can finish in the paint when DiLucchio sets them up. Portsmouth never allowed DiLucchio to get to the second level of the defense and thus it was a struggle for Kennett from the jump.
Coe-Brown pulled out a 57-51 win up in Conway last month, a season sweep keeps them alive for move up the ladder before the season ends.
Milford (10-5) at Merrimack Valley (11-4)
The thought back in 2011 that Milford could ever do anything quietly was like saying Keith Olbermann had an opinion but he just wasn’t ready to share it with anyone…well in 2015 Dan Murray’s team is rounding into shape at the right time and winners of five of their last six games.
The Spartans are getting good production from Kirk Palladino (16.1 ppg.), Jack Briggs (12.6), Drew Jepsen (11.6) and Dan Murray (8.5). Friday night they have a chance to muddy the first round picture even more with win over Merrimack Valley. Kevin O’Brien’s team is currently locked into the #5 seed but they’ll need to win here to keep it. Windham and Milford are only a game behind meaning Merrimack Valley could fall from 5 all the way to 8 with a loss.
Division III
Winnisquam (14-3) at Gilford (13-4)
A WHOLE lot riding on this one…as this is the game about four or five different teams in Division III will be affected by.
With a win the Alma Mater falls into the 5 seed with possible first round opponents Mascoma, Franklin or Bow. A second loss to Winnisquam, they lost in Tilton back in December, and Gilford falls to the 8 spot where they likely take on Hopkinton for the right to then go to Pelham(ED Note: absolutely no one wants to be in that position..).
For Winnisquam a win guarantees them a top 4 seed and a pair of home games. A loss drops them back in a vortex that includes Gilford, Campbell, Mascenic and Newport (and makes Dave Chase’s job even harder Saturday morning on our show).
Christian Serrano went over the 1,000 point career mark Tuesday night in a 79-57 win over Franklin, the third junior to do so in recent weeks (note: Spencer Coronis of Newport is 28 points away in his senior year). Gilford doesn’t know who it is getting its offense from night to night (they routinely have 10 different players score) but they are getting tremendous defense out of Nate Davis, Carter Mercer, Kyle Gaudet and one of the biggest frontlines in Division III.
The Bears are going to try and spread Gilford out and attack them from the perimeter, thus opening up driving lanes for Serrano. Gilford has to limit Winnisquam to one shot per possession and close out on their shooters like Tucker Normand and Tim Harmon if they are going to earn what would be a huge win in this Lakes Region rivalry.
Hopkinton (12-5) at Mascoma (10-6)
Similar stakes are in play in this one as the Hawks need to protect their spot with a win at Mascoma.
Dave Chase’s team is this years ‘beat who you should/lose to who you should’ outfit. They are 12-0 against every team ranked below them and 0-5 against teams ranked above them. This isn’t an indictment on Hopkinton, there is something to be said for taking care of business, but they fall into that category of ‘properly rated’. A Top 10 seed feels about right..
The issues for Jim Barry’s team have come on the offensive end. This is a Royals team known for its ability to score but in 2015 they’ve been held to 45 points or fewer on eight separate times. As a comparison Winnisquam averages 67 points a game.
Friday night Mascoma plays for a chance to tie Farmington (who still has to face Berlin) and Hopkinton and avoid dropping back into the mix with Franklin and Bow.