Nashua High School South recently defeated Profile High School to advance to the finals of the Granite State Challenge. Courtesy photo/Mark Bolton

DURHAM – Nashua High School South will advance to the finals of Granite State Challenge after defeating Profile High School, 415 to 320, in the season’s first semifinal game.

Leading the way for the Nashua South Purple Panthers was senior captain Henry Long. His team included fellow seniors Eric Picanco and Thanasi Miris and sophomore Charles Long. Jerry Primo, a senior and Lexie Ross, a sophomore, were the team’s alternates. The Purple Panthers were coached by Social Studies teacher Lex Duval and English teacher Kelli Thornhill-Telerski.

The Profile Patriots were captained by senior Maddie Perkins. The team also included seniors Moses Rolfe, Wyatt Wright and Raiden Valentine. Team alternates were freshmen Henry Hamilton and Andrew Rolfe. Profile was coached by school counselor Jill Brewer and Social Studies teacher Paul Savard.

Nashua took an early lead in the first round, holding off a concerted effort by Profile.

By the semifinals of Granite State Challenge, teams are often quite evenly matched meaning it’s often the ability to buzz before the other team that’s the deciding factor.

“We are very fortunate to have a buzzer system that we use for all of our practices,” said Thornill-Telerski. “We practice that as much as we can, but also I think it’s important to note that these kids practice in their own time too.”

In the three-strikes-and-you’re-out round, Profile had a chance to mount a comeback after Nashua used up its three strikes early, getting only three out of a potential 10 answers correct, but Profile encountered similar struggles, getting only two of 10 questions correct.

With help from their alternates in the third round, both teams bounced back. Profile got a solid eight out of 10 score. On this occasion; however, the Purple Panthers even surprised themselves, getting a perfect 10 out of 10.

“I think that’s probably the best game we’ve ever played,” said Long. “Ten out of 10 — I don’t know if we were expecting that, but that was pretty great.”

However, the Patriots would not go quietly. During the fourth round, where point values double and wrong answers lose points, the Patriots did their best to mount a come-from-behind win, but Nashua kept them at bay, winning by 95 points.

“You know, we’re a little disappointed,” said Savard. “They fought hard against a team from a school with 1,600 kids and our school has 130 kids. So, we’re pretty proud of what they’ve accomplished. I’m most proud of how proud they felt.”

Perkins expanded on her coach’s thoughts.

“I think we did well just being a team, especially in the 60-second round,” she said. “That’s where we shine. I think as a group, we’ll just take the memories with us.”

Nashua now has its eye on the season’s final game, the Granite State Challenge Superchallenge.

“This is the farthest this team has been in a long time,” said Thornhill-Telerski. “I’m just excited for them and ready to see what happens.”