Former Nashua North starter Nate Kane returns to Titans Gym with Bishop Guertin to face his former teammates tonight. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

NASHUA – A year ago, Nate Kane could have never envisioned himself in a Bishop Guertin High School basketball jersey.

But of course, a year ago no one could have envisioned how life would have drastically changed.

Kane, the former key for the Nashua High School North boys hoop team, will be returning to his former school tonight at 6 p.m. as a key starter for the Cardinals.

Locally, it’s pretty much the boys hoop Game of the Year with the Titans at 9-1 and BG at 13-4, the latter remarkably able to play a full 18 games despite the pandemic.

The game won’t count for any seedings, etc., as the blind draw pairings are already out – but the two teams could meet in the second round if BG beats Nashua South Monday in a play-in game. Kane’s return to Titans Gym just adds an extra element to this one, and it would certainly get the Titan student section going if there weren’t the COVID crowd restrictions.

Basically, Kane said up until a couple of weeks before school started in the fall he was set to return to North. But he did not want to do remote classes, which Nashua was doing through over half this year, and BG was having students in person, with some variations.

“It was really tough, it wasn’t for basketball purposes,” Kane said of his move to BG. “It was strictly for academics, because they go in-person here (at BG).

“I’m looking forward to (tonight), because I’ll be playing against all the kids I have played with since first grade, playing against all my buddies, Curtis (Harris-Lopez) and all of them.”

Taking part of Kane’s shooter role with the Titans has been senior Sam McElliott, who has become the team’s top scoring threat in somewhat of a surprise.

“I’m not surprised at all,” Kane said. “Sam McElliott’s an awesome basketball player. I played with him all summer, still play with him. He’s hooping in the gym every single night, even after practice. I’m glad he took my spot.”

Kane said it’s been a good adjustment to BG, on and off the court.

On the court, “It took me a day or two, I had played with all the guys in AAU. It’s been an awesome season, we’re having a ton of fun.”

Guertin coach John Fisher said he heard over the summer whispers that Kane might transfer, but didn’t believe them.

“I think I heard it from the kids, kids talk,” Fisher said. “One of the kids said to me, ‘We think Nate Kane is coming here next year.’ And I said, ‘Sorry, I don’t have that kind of luck.'”

But, as Fisher said, it came true.

“He’s fit right in,” the coach said. “As you can see, the kids love him, he’s a good mentor for the younger players, he does very well academically, and never stops playing when he’s on the basketball court.”

Kane says he plays a similar role with the Cards as perhaps the second option to leading scorer Dylan Santosuosso.

“We’re a lot bigger over here then we were at North, so it’s a little different play style. We adjusted.”

Fisher admires how unselfish Kane is.

“That kid is just as happy giving an assist as he is shooting a shot,” Fisher said. “He’s very happy as a defensive focus,we’ve used him a couple of times on other teams’ best players. He’s happy doing that. I don’t even know what to say except that’s a coach’s dream.”

For those who can’t attend, due to the crowd restrictions, the game will be broadcast live on Nashua ETV, streamed on the internet, etc.

HB WRESTLING FANS

CAN ATTEND FINALS

If you happened to be at the Bishop Guertin-Merrimack Division II wrestling semifinals the other night at the BG Colligadome, you noticed a strange sight: Visiting (Merrimack) fans.

And they helped make the place loud, which the sport lends itself to anyway.

Well, that was welcome news to fans of the Hollis Brookline Cavaliers as well as athletic director Rhon Rupp, as the Cavs face the Cardinals at BG at 11 a.m.in the Division II finals on Saturday.

While the event will be livestreamed, Cardinals athletic director Ryan Brown confirmed Thursday that HB fans, two per student athlete on the team, can attend.

Rupp, who was busy getting the word out late Thursday, may actually be coaching the team Saturday. Cavs coach Brian Bumpus has been away this week due to family reasons, and while assistant coach Ian Tomer has been running practices, Rupp has been coaching the team during meets, including this past Wednesday’s semifinal squeaker win over Goffstown.

However, Rupp said it’s possible Bumpus would be back for Saturday, but certainly not definite, he said.

PRACTICE EDUCATION

A couple of weeks ago, the Hollis Brookline girls basketball team visited Bishop Guertin and suffered a 77-33 loss, not too unexpected.

Actually Cavs coach Bob Murphy was happy with how his team competed, and things didn’t stop there. He also has recently attended a BG practice last week.

“It helped me immensely,” Murphy said. “I learned so much from watching those coaches down there. They’ve got the talent, but they’ve also got the great drills.”

And he’ll use some of it.

“Oh yes,” Murphy said. “We’ll try to work on low post defense, covering the floor like weak side help. He (Cards coach Brad Kreick) stresses that stuff all the time, and it pays off for him.”

MILFORD SEEKS COACHES

Milford High School is accepting applications for a Varsity Softball and Head Outdoor Track and Field Coach for the 2021 season.

Those interested can send a cover letter and resume to : Marc Maurais, Athletic Director, Milford High School , via email at Marc.Maurais@milfordk12.org

Newsletter