Plenty of Girls Talent on Display in Durham

Walczak and French Shine for their Respective Teams

Portsmouth and Oyster River have one of the best rivalries in New Hampshire basketball. Last night it was clear that the rivalry exists not only on the boys side but wit the girls as well. Both of these teams have plenty of individual talent, and the result was a 65-56 win for Oyster River.

The big match-up in this game was in the paint between Portsmouth senior 6'1" forward Rosa Drummond and Oyster River junior 6'1" forward Danielle Walczak (pictured above). Walczak won the match-up, scoring a game-high 24 points compared to Drummond who had 14 points. Drummond also fouled out with 3 minutes left in the game. Drummond however, got the better of this match-up in the first game between these two teams earlier in the season. Walczak and Drummond are two of the best forwards in NH.

Leading the way for Portsmouth was 5'10" junior Susie French. Drummond was battling Walczak all game, and the Clippers' other key player, junior guard Ali Beauregard scored just 4. So it was French who rose to the occasion and single-handedly kept Portsmouth in the game.

In addition to Walczak, Oyster River also got an exceptional performance from Emily Sherry, a senior forward. Sherry had 13 points for the Bobcats, and combined with Walczak to provide a very tough 1-2 punch in the paint.

Elsewhere, in girls basketball in Mass., Bri Malone wrapped up a fantastic high school career Thursday night. Malone scored 19 points for Springfield Central, as they closed out their season with a 64-58 win over West Side High. Malone is headed to Holy Cross next season.

Great Battle Between Central Catholic and Saint John's Prep

Carson Desrosiers Was A Force Against St. John's Last Night

The Mass & NH High School Basketball Report witnessed a spectacular high school basketball game in front of 2,500 fans in Lawrence last night as Central Catholic pulled out a 65 - 61 back-and-forth victory over Saint John's Prep. This game was high school basketball at its best. There was hard and clean basketball being played on the floor; loud, positive and entertaining support from both schools student sections; and a thrilling finish to a great basketball game.

Saint John's came in as the underdog, but controlled the game for most of the evening. Saint John's coach Sean Connolly who has done wonders with the Prep team this year did an outstanding job controlling the game as he forced the Central big guys to cover out at the perimeter and as a result got many good looks at the basket. However, although Saint John's outplayed Central on this evening, the Raiders 6'11" Wake Forest bound Carson Desrosiers was just too big of an advantage for the Prep to overcome. Here is why.

#1 ranked senior Carson Desrosiers was a monster almost putting up a quadruple double. The 6'11" forward had 24 points, 18 rebounds, 13 blocks, and 8 assists on the game. Most importantly, Desrosiers had a huge offensive put-back down the stretch and scored the last 8 points for Central in the last minute and 25 seconds to secure the victory. It's hard to lose when any player puts up numbers like these.

The #2 ranked junior Pat Connaughton did not disappoint either as he was the best player on the court during the first half of this game scoring 18 of his 26 points in a variety of impressive ways including some division 1 pull-up jump shots. Connaughton also had 12 rebounds on the night as he competed extremely hard before wearing down against the twin towers of Desrosiers and 6'7" Jimmy Zenevitch.

#6 ranked junior Zenevitch was impressive himself scoring 16 points and adding 5 rebounds on the evening. Zenevitch had an impressive break away two handed dunk and a remarkable scoop shot from underneath the basket that some how found its way through the cylinder.

Saint John's 6'3" junior Mack Burt was just as impressive as he battled with Zenevitch all night long knocking down a crucial three as he took the Central big man away from the basket. On another offensive possession, Burt used his ability to put the ball to the floor to go by Zenevitch for a bucket. Burt also compiled 8 rebounds two of which he put back for baskets.

#7 ranked sophomore Steve Haladyna also had an impressive night scoring 15 points that included 5 straight points in a crucial part of the game that brought Saint John's from two down to three up. The 6'3" Haladyna competed hard all night and added 7 rebounds and a couple of great takes to the Central big men.

Sophomore's Luis Puello of Central Catholic (#13 ranked) and Michael Carbone of Saint John's also were impressive as both were key factors in the game for both sides.