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Reyes tops list of 2012’s 10 biggest local sports stories

By Staff | Dec 30, 2012

Every year the point gets proven over and over again: Never a dull moment in the Nashua area sports world.

Coaches come, coaches go. Champions get crowned. Would-be champions lose heartbreakers. Athletes try to, and usually are successful, at bettering themselves. Administrators make decisions, some appear to make sense, others don’t.

This time each year yours truly takes a very subjective, personal look at what the major local sports stories of the year were from one pair of eyes. There’s plenty of room for argument and always too much room for what can be perceived as error (leaving something out). Remember, this is not definitive, just the ones that stood out in one writer’s sometimes jaded mind.

That being said, let’s move on with a look at the year’s top stories:

1. KENDALL REYES

The Nashua product was drafted by and signed with the San Diego Chargers. How often does this happen?

Kole Ayi was the last Nashuan to see time on a NFL field nearly a decade ago, with the St. Louis Rams, New York Giants and New England Patriots. Former Nashua High School North and University of Connecticut standout Kendall Reyes changed all that.

After a quiet rookie season, Reyes, a defensive end/pass rushing specialist, had the game of his career with 3.5 sacks last Sunday against the Jets. He has 11 combination tackles on the year. Next year there will be a new coaching staff, so we’ll see how he develops. But it’s clear that his NFL future is bright.

2. SILVER KNIGHTS REPEAT

Not only did the Nashua Silver Knights dominate the summer with a second straight Futures Collegiate League championship, they took another, attendance jump averaging over 1,000 fans a game. They battled two old minor league foes, Brockton and North Shore (Lynn), and sported one of the best professional prospects down the road in Boston College freshman Chris Shaw.

They also hosted one of the major events of the summer in the FCBL All-Star Game as baseball was alive and well. And after all that they changed managers, with noted Nashuan B.J. Neverett moving upstairs to concentrate solely on player procurement and Daniel Webster College’s J.P. Pyne taking the managerial reins. More on Pyne later.

3. MORGAN ANDREWS

Andrews was an amazing story, one of the top female soccer players in the country who in the fall played for the U.S. Under-17 Women’s World Cup team and then returned to lead her Spartans to a dramatic Division II state championship over rival and defending champion Souhegan.

As disappointed as she was in the U.S. team’s short World Cup stay, she realized a goal by helping the Spartans win the state championship.

4. TOMAHAWK
BASEBALL’S
TOURNEY TENSION

Unfortunately, every spring there’s some type of story involving suspensions that jolt the high school action.

In Merrimack High School’s case, it wasn’t players. Head coach Ryan Anderson and then-athletic director Andy Krahling lost their jobs as the Tomahawks were challenging for a title.

An ejection-and-suspension rule levied against Anderson was violated in the eyes of the NHIAA as Anderson attended a pre-quarterfinal game warm-up and it sadly cost both Anderson and Krahling their jobs.

In the end, the Tomahawks, who had superb pitching, couldn’t pull it out against Concord in the title game, dropping a tough 5-4 decision.

5. THREE AREA
BASKETBALL TITLES

It may have been a weak winter in terms of weather, but the basketball was strong.

The Merrimack beat Manchester Central, sparked by Dimiti Floras, to win the boys Division I title.

Bishop Guertin, loaded with talent, toppled Londonderry 46-43 in a much closer than expected girls Division I title game. The

Souhegan girls made it two in a row in Division II, beating Kearsarge 53-27. Something about that Amherst-Milford area, huh?

6. MILFORD’S
BARBIAZ BROTHERS

Has any family had an athletic year like this one? There’s Dwight Barbiaz, who, while at the University of Florida, finishes seventh in the United States Olympic Trials, and there’s Lee, who as a 6-foot-7, 308-pound tackle, nearly made the Jacksonville Jaguars in training camp and probably will keep trying to get his foot in that NFL door. Amazing.

7. BELIVEAU’S
FAREWELL TOUR

Well, it was memorable to say the least. It began with a silly suspension to start the year for scouting a scrimmage – a rule that many coaches don’t even know exist. His Sabers then lost a tough, high-scoring semifinal to Goffstown, followed by his surprise resignation a few days later.

Beliveau gave the Sabers longevity and the sense of a solid program, and his style of play on offense was fun to watch. It won’t be the same without him patrolling the Sabers’ sidelines next fall.

8. DWC BASEBALL
IN NCAA TOURNEY

What a great spring/summer for J.P. Pyne, who took home two rings. His Eagles started off the year slow (2-8, 0-3 in the conference) and recovered nicely to win the New England Collegiate Conference crown and advance to the NCAA Regionals.

They were ushered out in two games, but the feeling of a huge accomplishment remained. Elliott Kilgore, of Milford, was one of several locals on the team.

9. SOUHEGAN BOYS RUNNING SUCCESS

Back to the Valley again. The Sabers won the boys indoor track title, the boys outdoor track title and the boys cross country crown in Division II.

That is unprecedented success, and now you really wonder what’s in the water there.

10. HENDERSON STEPS DOWN AS TITANS COACH

This happened late, and normally one coach resigning isn’t a top 10 story, unless it’s the only coach the Nashua High School North baseball program ever had. Will Henderson led the Titans to a state title and four semifinal appearances in the last five years.

He built the North program just about from scratch, and deep down probably would rather be coaching – but an administrative career demands that he give his full attention to the North athletic coordinator’s job. Tough decision.

That will do it. Many other stories, championships, coaching moves, the state football realignment, Alvirne hockey’s overtime loss in the Division III title game, etc., and they all deserve mention or to be remembered. You can be sure 2013 will be just as eventful.

Tom King can be reached at 594-6468 or tking@nashuatelegraph.com. Also, follow King on Twitter
(@Telegraph_TomK).

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