Hollis Brookline's Elisabeth Stapelfeld drives to the hoop against Souhegan's Sabra Biddle during HB's win Thursday in Hollis. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

HOLLIS – This was a game that served a purpose for both teams.

Yes, the Hollis Brookline High School girls basketball team needed a feel good 46-29 win like the one it had over Souhegan on Thursday.

But the Sabers also needed to face some good competition.

Why were these things so important for both teams? Because the Divison II tournament starts next week.

“That’s the whole point of it,” Sabers coach Mike Vetack said, as his 3-4 team has a play-in game Tuesday at Manchester West. “This game, but the whole season, is just to try to play better. We tell them the scoreboard doesn’t matter this year. We were pumped to play a good team the last game of the season to get ready for (the tourney). And they did a good job.”

Yes, the Sabers got to within 40-29 with less than four minutes to go. But the Cavs were in control the whole way, leading 10-2 after one and 24-10 at the half. This was much better than the loss HB (6-4) suffered playing up a division at Nashua North on Tuesday.

“I was impressed tonight because (the Sabers) had a pretty good game against Pelham, lost by eight, and we lost by 16 against Pelham,” Cavs coach Bob Murphy said. “We put pressure on them. They missed a lot of easy shots but I think some of that had to do with our hands in their faces.”

Elisabeth Stapelfeld led the Cavs with 16 while Amanda Robbins and Brooke Allanach added eight apiece. For the Sabers, Kate Canavan had 13 points plus six rebounds and Hunter Stonebreaker added eight points, four boards and two steals.

HB will host Milford in next week’s prelims, and could see Pelham in the quarters. Either way, Murphy has a better feeling about his team after yesterday.

“You got that right,” he said.

In other games on Thursday:

BOYS BASKETBALL

HOLLIS BROOKLINE 55,

SOUHEGAN 41

Blake Bergerson led the Cavs with 14 points while Robbie Haytayan added 12 and Adam Razzaboni 10 in the regular season finale for both.

The Sabers were paced by Matt Canavan’s 11.

CAMPBELL 61,

MANCHESTER WEST 52

The Cougars rallied after being down seven at the half, taking control late. Dylan Rice led the way with 20 points and three blocks, while Jack Noury added 10 points.

Jackson Kanaley was huge off the bench with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

BOYS HOCKEY

MANCHESTER MEMORIAL 5,

NASHUA NORTH-SOUHEGAN 2

Will Dodge continued his hot scoring touch with two goals, both assisted by brother Mike, but it wasn’t enough against the unbeaten Crusaders at JFK Coliseum.

Two third period goals by the Crusaders Cody Boyce broke open a close 3-2 game.

N-S (4-3) winds up the regular season Saturday vs. Bishop Brady at Conway Arena.

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