Alex Burt and Dover Hang on Against Nashua NorthThe MA-NH High School Basketball Report traveled to Nashua this evening to watch the number one ranked NH high school senior Alex Burt and the number one ranked NH high school sophomore Javon Williams face off against each other. Dover won this contest over Nashua North 56 - 49 in a good game. Alex Burt was again the star for Dover, as he started the fourth quarter with a long three to put Dover up 42 - 36 and then converted 12 fourth quarter free throws down the stretch to keep Nashua North at bay. On the evening, Burt was only able to make the one field goal, but was an impressive 16 for 16 from the free-throw line as he finished with a game high 19 points. Burt had 16 of Dover's 18 fourth quarter points. Dover's junior guard Kenaan Al-Darraji impressed as he finished with 13 points whilde demonstrating his ability to make shots and get to the rim. Unfortunately for Nashua North, Williams (4 points) only played a few minutes in the first quarter before leaving the game with an injury to his hand (and he did not return). But it was fellow sophomore Ryan Gauthier who took advantage of the opportunity to shine. Gauthier had 10 points on the evening as he was successful in getting to the basket. Gauthier also had an excellent night on the defensive end as he held Burt to just the one field goal.
If anything came out of this game tonight, it became obvious that Dover is vulnerable when and if they don't make the long ball. Dover struggled tonight from behind the arc and lost the battle of the boards. It will be interesting to see how this plays out for Dover come tournament time.
We were also in Haverhill, Massachusetts tonight to see the much talked about 14 year old freshman Noah Vonleh. Vonleh led Haverhill to their first win of the season as the Hillies defeated Tewksbury 73 - 60. The 6'5" freshman had another monster game scoring 16 points and adding 13 rebounds. Vonleh impressed with his ability to rebound the basketball, lead transistion, and handle the ball from both the point and wing. The youngster plays the game with grace and makes the game of basketball look easy. Vonleh may be getting the most attention of any high school basketball player in Massachusetts, but he's the real deal and deserves it.
Finally, we also had the Merrimack @ Exeter game covered. Merrimack won this game in a thriller, 73-70 in overtime. Merrimack has two of New Hampshire's better prospects with the number one ranked freshman Dimitri Floras and the seventh ranked senior Eric Watson. Both players made huge plays in the overtime period to help the Tomahawks to the win.
With Merrimack trailing 69-66 late in OT, Watson (20 points) drained a three from the left wing to tie the game up. Soon thereafter, Floras (18 points) made a crossover dribble on his man, got to the bucket and finished the layup for what turned out to be the game winning basket and give the Tomahawks a 71-70 lead.
-Jeremy Leveille
