The Mascenic boys were outmatched Tuesday night by a dangerous, well-balanced Kearsarge team that looks to be one of the top threats in Division III this winter. The Cougars got 20 first-half points from Chris Stanchfield as they jumped out to an early lead and ran away with a 76-54 victory. The Vikings displayed a lack of defensive intensity that Mascenic head coach Brandon Kear said has been emblematic of his team this season.
“We had stints of solid defense at times,” Kear said, “and then we had just complete mental lapses, not paying attention to the scouting report and not high-handing shooters. Until they buy in and they fully want to defend, this is kind of what the norm’s going to be. We don’t have enough firepower to outscore teams.”
The Vikings stole the tipoff, but that was the extent of their advantage over the Cougars, who go eight or nine deep with big bodies that more resemble a college team than your typical DIII offerings. Kearsarge, who’d just suffered their first loss of the season thanks to their trip to Hopkinton the night before, fired away, not anxious to make it two losses in a row. The Cougars hit 14 threes on the night; 10 came in the first half, and four from Stanchfield, who was playing with confidence and calm aggression.
“Kearsarge does a lot of things really well,” Kear said. “They shoot the ball really well. They’re super well-coached. I love Nate [Camp]. They pressure the ball really well. Their rotations defensively are excellent, and they just make you uncomfortable….They have veteran leadership, they have a ton of seniors and honestly, I don’t see a weakness. I think they’re just overall really, really solid.”
Kearsarge was up 44-26 by halftime; the Cougars took their foot off the gas in the third quarter, where six points from Joe Cocozella (team-high 13) and five from Wyatt Duval (11) briefly cut the Mascenic deficit to 11, but Kearsarge roared back, hit a couple more threes and finished the job in the fourth.
Bobby Needham had another 20 points for Kearsarge.
Mascenic (5-5) was scheduled to play at Somersworth Wednesday night and host Belmont Friday.
“Hopefully guys wake up tomorrow and actually want to get after it defensively,” Kear said. “If not, then this is what the norm’s going to be.”
Billings steps down from WLC
Second-year Wilton-Lyndeborough head coach Wiley Billings stepped down from his position following the Warriors’ Monday night loss to Newmarket, citing personal reasons. The Warriors (3-5) were scheduled to play Hinsdale Wednesday night; as of press time, the school had yet to name a replacement head coach. WLC won the state championship in 2015 under coach Ken Garnham; Billings’ replacement will be the seventh head coach since that title win.
ConVal 70, Laconia 51
ConVal launched their big week with a win Monday night, as senior Christian Buffum went off for 26 points in the Cougars’ third straight victory. Owen Michaels scored 13 points and Austin Knight added 12.
The Cougars (11-3) host Manchester West Thursday night and Pelham Friday.
Conant 45, Stevens 34
The Orioles are trending upward, and have won four of their last five games after beating Stevens in Jaffrey Tuesday evening.
Sophomore Jordan Nagle – another of the young Orioles who could greatly impact the team by making a leap – scored a game-high 17 points; Jacson Cross added 10.
Conant (5-6) plays at Campbell Friday night. The Cougars held the Orioles to their lowest scoring output of the season, 20 points, in Campbell’s win last week.
Laconia 51, ConVal 37
Still shorthanded, the Cougars got 12 points apiece from Morgan Bemont and Maddy Faber but couldn’t muster enough to get past the Sachems. Mairin Burgess added 10 points. The Cougars were without Makenna Proctor and Allie Burgess in the loss.
ConVal (4-8) was scheduled to play at Bow Wednesday and at Manchester West Friday.
Kearsarge 50, Mascenic 26
The Cougars ran up a 30-point lead before emptying the bench Tuesday night, handing the Vikings their second straight loss.
Mascenic (2-8) was scheduled to play at St evens Wednesday night and at Belmont Friday.
Conant 59, Stevens 30
The Orioles spread the ball around Tuesday night, with three players – Emma Tenters (18 points), Brynn Rautiola (12) and Mylie Aho (10) reaching double figures, and another two, Teagan Kirby and Regan Despres, with eight and nine respectively.
“Great team win tonight,” said head coach Brian Troy.
The win was Conant’s 48th in a row, tying them with the 2014-16 Orioles for the school’s longest girls’ basketball winning streak.
Conant (10-0) was set to host Kearsarge Wednesday night and then Campbell Friday.
ConVal fourth at Hollis-Brookline
The Cougar wrestling team recently took fourth at the Hollis-Brookline Invitational. Cameron Jordan (138 lbs.), Chris Robbins (170), Kast Check (182) and Seth Fowler (113) wrestled for ConVal points.
The Cougars are scheduled to host a meet Saturday morning, weather permitting, and then host Winnisquam and Newport for senior night Wednesday.