BASKETBALL

TRI-COUNTY

Nashua Catholic wins 3 titles

Nashua Catholic put the finishing touches to celebrating Catholic Schools Week by capturing three Tri-County Basketball Championships.

• In the A2 girls division, Nashua Catholic beat fourth-seeded Hampstead 29-10 in the semifinals. They then took on second-seeded GH Hood from Derry for the championship. In a hard fought game, NC got down early in the first quarter only to fight back with some tenacious defense and clutch shooting to win the crown. Members of the team include: Katie Mahoney, Chelsea Sedlar, Gigi Piercy, Rachel Kiczuk, Angela Musekeiwa, Adaeze Okorie, Brooke Longo, Meredith Ritter, Angela Marazzi, Taylor Willis, Emma Williams, Meredith Hall and Celine Roy.

• The A2 boys division was as exciting as it gets. The Nashua Catholic boys hung on to win a 35-34 contest against an always tough West Running Brook squad from Derry, in the semifinals. The team then went on to defeat GH Hood, also of Derry, for the championship. In a game that saw lead changes with every basket, the boys from Nashua took care of the ball in the waning minutes to put the finishing touches to a great season. Members of the squad include: Andrew Thibault, Garett Bozek, Patrick Mackey, Max Serra, Keenan Dwyer, Casey Fisher, Will Sheppard, Will Lewis, Mike Harney, Nate Fallon, Emile Hobeika and Jack McNallen.

• The Class I girls division saw Nashua Catholic meet some familiar opponents. They first hooked up with perennial favorite Amherst Middle School, a team that beat NC in a recent Holiday Tourney. A battle from the beginning, the Wildcats were able to close out the contest by taking care of the ball. They prevailed 36-33. IThe girls were able to keep their composure facing multiple defenses trying to slow the Wildcats down. In the championship game, the girls faced a team that had twice beaten them in the regular season. In a game they never trailed in, it was finally the Wildcats turn. The defense the girls turned in was the difference. Feeding off steals and clutch shooting, not to mention bench support any coach would be proud of, the Wildcats prevailed. Members of the team include: Bri Veilleux, Marie Laplante, Sarah Shields, Meredith Marr, Megan Kerutis, Elli Lathram, Alissa Zajac, Dani Mackey, Lucia Lansing, Marie Bonin, Victoria D’Anthony and Elise Bonenberger.

CYO

St. Chris boys, girls reach Mites state final

Both the boys and girls teams from St. Christopher’s School fought their way through 10-team brackets in the 6th Grade Division to reach the finals of the NH State Catholic School Basketball Tournament, with the girls team winning the coveted Catholic School state championship for the second time in three years.

The girls squad’s path to the finals featured wins over two Manchester schools, St. Catherine’s and St. Anthony’s. In the finals victory over Infant Jesus, Erica Dahl hit a free throw with only seconds left on the clock to seal the 9-8 victory. Molly Dee, Isabelle Gosselin, Emily Moran, Dahl, Samantha Sheehy, Janessa Palmieri, Gavi Grossman, Charlotte Labonte and Peyton Ryan all contributed to the state championship run.

Earlier last week in CYO Souhegan Deanery regular season action, St. Chris improved its record to 8-2, topping Presentation of Mary Academy 28-9 at St. Joseph’s Church hall.

On their way to the state finals, the boys team, led by Levi Gosselin, Finn Littlefield, Ian Hussey and Pat Holt topped Presentation of Mary Academy of Hudson and crosstown rival Infant Jesus School. Last minute baskets by Andre Laplante and CJ Barrett sealed the 21-17 win in the semifinal nailbiter against IJ. In the finals, St. Catherine’s School of Manchester earned a lopsided 40-18 victory to capture the state championship. John Puksta and Joseph Noon rounded out the St. Chris roster, both scoring key buckets in the run to the finals.

Cadets (7th-8th grade)

Blessed John 48, St. Chris 40

Trailing 31-21 in the second half, the St. Chris Cadet Boys came back to tie the game 40-40 before losing in overtime to a determined Blessed John team. St. Chris had the ball and a chance to win in regulation but could not convert. Myles Cassin-Reed led the offense, scoring off the dribble or dishing to Brendan Barrett who overcame an early injury to lead the comeback. Rob Holbrook was a presence inside the paint with Sam McCarthy and Jack Fahey contributing late in the comeback. St. Chris fell to 6-4 with the loss. A day earlier, McCarthy placed second in the Souhegan Deanery free throw contest, winning the right to compete in the upcoming statewide competition.

GYMNASTICS

NSG solid at Bow Sectionals

Nashua School of Gymnastics gymnasts performed well at the first Sectionals held at Granite State Gymnastics in Bow on Feb. 5. The gymnasts needed an All Around score of 33.00 in order to qualify for April’s State Competition.

Level 4

Age 6-8

Lily Brooks qualified with an All Around of 35.025. She scored 9.30 (7th) on vault, 8.20 on bars, 8.625 (7th) on beam, and 8.90 (6th) on floor.

Kaitlyn West qualified with an All Around of 35.025. She scored 9.225 on vault, 8.55 on bars, 8.30 on beam, and 8.95 (5th) on floor.

Corey Foster qualified with an All Around of 33.975. She scored 9.20 on vault, 7.25 on bars, 8.30 on beam, and 9.225 (3rd) on floor.

Samantha Gates qualified with an All Around of 33.375. She scored 9.20 on vault, 7.675 on bars, 7.80 on beam, and 8.70 on floor.

Sarah St. Lawrence qualified with an All Around of 33.375. She scored 9.00 on vault, 8.70 on bars, 7.10 on beam, and 8.575 on floor.

Age 9-10

Emily Colburn qualified with an All Around of 37.275 (1st). She scored 9.175 on vault, 9.45 (1st) on bars, 9.275 (1st) on beam, and 9.375 (1st) on floor.

Emma Lynch qualified with an All Around of 35.625 (3rd). She scored 9.15 on vault, 8.70 on bars, 8.65 on beam, and 9.125 on floor.

Reece Greenleaf qualified with an All Around of 34.40 (4th). She scored 9.00 on vault, 8.45 on bars, 8.20 on beam, and 8.75 on floor

Level 5

Age 9-10

Devon Rosier qualified with an All Around of 35.80 (3rd). She scored 8.75 on vault (2nd), 8.60 on bars(10th), 9.05 (5thTie) on beam and 9.40 (1st) on floor.

Jenna Hantula qualified with an All Around of 34.475 (9thTie). She scored 8.45 (4thTie) on vault, 8.30 on bars, 9.00 (6th) on bars and 8.725 (9th) on floor.

Kyelin King-Elalaoui had an All Around of 32.625. She scored 8.00 on vault, 7.85 on bars, 8.35 on beam and 8.425 on floor.

Level 6

Age 11-12

Blake Boulia qualified with an All Around of 34.025 (1st).She scored 8.80 on vault (1st), 7.90 ( 2nd Tie) on bars, 9.05 ( 1st) on beam and 8.275 (3rd) on floor.

Kayla Townsend qualified with an All Around of 33.725 (2nd). She scored 8.65 (2nd) on vault, 7.90 ( 2nd Tie) on bars, 8.75 ( 2nd) on beam and 8,425 (2nd) on floor.

REGISTRATION

BASEBALL

Nashua West Cal Ripken

Nashua West Cal Ripken Baseball will be taking registrations on the following dates. All registrations will be taken at the Nashua West Clubhouse(above the concession stand). Located On the corner of Grand Avenue & North Seventh Street (next to the Ledge Street School). Fee is $45.00 for one child and $60.00 maximum per family. We offer T-ball, Rookie, AAA and Major Divisions, for children ages 4 1/2 – 12 years old. Children must be 4 1?2 by April 30th of 2011(No Exceptions). Birth Certificate for first time registrations required. For any additional information please contact Mark Frost 594-9717, mfrosty10@aol.com or Jen Henderson 521-7543, jenmhenderson@aol.com. All times are from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Feb. 13, 19, 20, 26 and 27. Nominations for coaching vacancies will also be accepted at these times with openings at all levels of play.

Nashua South Cal Ripken

Nashua South Baseball, a division of Cal Ripken Baseball, is now accepting online registrations for the 2011 season for players ages 5-12. Registration runs until March 11. Log on to www.nashuasouth.org to register and obtain additional information.

Nashua Northwest Cal Ripken

Nashua Northwest Baseball, a division of Cal Ripken Baseball, is now accepting online registrations for children 4 1/2 to 12 years of age for the upcoming Spring 2011 season. Log on today to www.nashuanw.org and follow the instructions on our home page to register. We offer six divisions of play from T-Ball 5 to Majors and our participants are guaranteed to play on teams with their friends and classmates as our registration is open only to families in the 03063 zip code.

SOFTBALL

Hudson now accepting

The Hudson Girls Softball League will have registration sessions at the following dates and times at the Hudson Recreation Center, near H.O. Smith School: Saturday, Feb. 12, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and Monday, Feb. 28, from 6-8 p.m. Registration forms can also be filled out online at www.hgsl.org and mailed in to the league office.

LACROSSE

Nashua Youth Lacrosse

The Nashua Blast Youth Lacrosse League is now taking girls and boys registration for the upcoming 2011 spring season. The divisions are U9, U11, U13 and U15. For online registratio, visit the league website at www.nashualacrosse.com. For all related information, click on the FORMS/DOCS/FILES button or call 603-345-4052. Space is limited, and registration closes on Feb. 15.

CAMPS/CLINICS

BASEBALL

Free clinic with Black Flies

NH Sportsplex and NH Black Flies AAU Baseball will offer a free Baseball Clinic Feb. 21 and 22. Steve LaRose of the NH Black Flies AAU Baseball will be holding a free baseball clinic for ages 6-13 at NH Sportsplex indoor facility in Bedford on Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 21 and 22 from 9 a.m.-noon. Coach LaRose played six years professionally for the NY Mets and Houston Astros. The clinic will cover hitting, pitching, fielding, throwing, catching and base running. Players are responsible for bringing their own equipment, including glove, bat, protective cup and helmet. No metal spikes allowed. There is no charge, but space is limited. Register at NHSportsplex.com. Look for the link to the Black Flies February baseball clinic. For information, contact Larry Shane at NH Sportsplex at Larry@NHSporsplex.com or (603) 641-1313, ext. 405, or Bob Gancarz of the NH Black Flies at bgancarz@comcast.net or NHBlackFlies@comcast.net. NH Sportsplex is located at 68 Technology Drive, Bedford, NH 03110, directly off Route 3.

NBA school vacation camp

The Nashua Baseball Academy will hold a school vacation baseball camp at their Hollis Training Facility from Monday, Feb. 28 through Friday, March 4. The camp will run each day from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. The camp will focus on hitting and defense in a fun atmosphere. The camp will be run by coach Greg Ford. The cost is $100 for members and $125 for non-members. Space is limited. E-mail the Baseball Academy at nashuabaseballacademy@comcast.net or visit www.nashuabaseballacademy.com.

SOFTBALL

Nashua South Softball Clinic

Nashua South softball players and coaches will be holding a three-day clinic for children ages 7-12 on March 2, 3 and 4. Participants are required to bring glove, sneakers and gym wear. Bats will be supplied, however if you have your own please bring it with you. Clinic times are the same each day in the medium gym – ages 7-9 from 10 a.m.-noon and ages 10-12 from noon-2 p.m. The clinic costs $20 a day per participant or $50 for all three days. Day 1 will focus on throwing and fielding fundamentals. Day 2 looks at hitting fundamentals. Day 3 is centered around pitchers, catchers, team building exercises and an overview of the first two days. Registration will start one half hour before clinic start times for each age group. Make checks payable to Nashua South Softball. Cash will be accepted. All funds raised will go to the South Softball Program. Contact South softball coach John Racicot via e-mail at rokitnnp@comcast.net (include South Softball Clinic in subject space).

CONTESTS

Will McDonough writing contest

The Sports Museum has set a March 15 deadline in its 7th annual Will McDonough Writing Contest For Aspiring Sports Writers. This contest, supported by Bank of America and the Boston Globe, is judged on topic development, organization, style and mechanics. First place winners will take part in an award ceremony at The Sports Museum within the TD Garden and attend the following Boston Celtics game on April 13. Students in grades 4-12 are encouraged to apply and celebrate another great year in Boston sports through writing. To enter The 2011 Will McDonough Writing Contest, visit The Sports Museum’s website at www.sportsmuseum.org. Applications and guidelines can be downloaded from the website.

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