BASKETBALL

St. Chris girls win CYO state championship

The St. Christopher’s girls won the Cadet Division (seventh and eighth grade) state championship last weekend with a 37-28 finals victory over St. Elizabeth Seton of Bedford at NH Technical Institute in Concord. After defeating St. Patrick’s of Pelham in the semifinals, the St. Chris squad faced a tough challenge from St. Elizabeth’s, against whom they had split regular season contests. Taylor Choate lead the St. Chris scoring with 12 points, while Megan Kerutis poured in eight. Sarah Shields and Marie Laplante scored six each, while Adeze Okorie added five. Season-long starter Emma Williams, Jackie O’Connell and Jessica Zalzal all played tough at both ends of the floor. Victoria D’Antthony was sidelined with an injury. Before the championship game, Kerutis was named the CYO Cadet Division Most Valuable Player based on a vote of league coaches.

Nighthawks win Shamrock Tournament

The eighth-grade Nashua Nighthawks finished up the 2010-11 season by winning the Billerica, Mass., Shamrock Tournament.

Nashua opened the tournament with a win over the host team from Billerica, 59-52. Demitri Jackson led the way with 12 points and 12 rebounds.

Josh Goulet had the hot hand from the outside and finished with 12 points. Matt Lavallee also finished the game with 10 rebounds and 10 points. Mike Habibi provided solid minutes off the bench with 7 points. Also playing strong for the Nighthawks was Dan McCoy, Mike Osgood, Christian Sullivan and Jeremy Ouellette. In the Championship game, the Nighthawks were matched up against Methuen and came out with the victory, 65-57. Lavallee led the way with 27 points and 13 rebounds. Nashua never trailed in this game, and the defense never allowed Methuen to get into their offense. Jackson led the defense with eight points and 10 rebounds. Also providing strong minutes were Goulet, Sullivan and Ouellette. Members of the 2010-11 eighth-grade Nashua Nighthawks were Mike Habibi, Mike Osgood, Josh Goulet, Alex Boudreau, Christian Sullivan, Demitri Jackson,Dan McCoy, Devante Acorn, Matt Lavallee and Jeremy Ouellette. The coaches were Jay Osgood and Tyler Roeser.

Merrimack girls win tournament

The Merrimack Girls 5/6 B team swept the Londonderry March Madness Tournament.

The team beat Amherst, Bedford and Goffstown en route to the championship game, in which they outlasted a feisty Goffstown team 52-42.

Members of the team are Olivia Kapsambelis, Sam O’Connor, Sara Wozniak, Courtney Schaub, Nicole Haney, Jess Bonner, Addie Lacey, Jolie Jacoby, Jordyn Boyce, Victoria Anderson, Caroline Pitten, Gina Zamary, Asst. Coach Phil Haney, Coach Gerry O’Connor.

Nashua hosting CYO New England tourney

New Hampshire will host the 2011 New England CYO Basketball Tournament April 1-3 at gyms in Nashua, Manchester and Bedford. The Granite State last hosted this regional tournament in 2004. The New Hampshire CYO Athletic Board is hard at work organizing the busy weekend of events, and 64 games will be played at nine gyms in less then 48 hours with 72 teams participating from across New England. Young athletes in grades 5-8 will compete on behalf of their schools or parishes.

The following teams will represent New Hampshire at the New England tournament: Saint Catherine School, Manchester; Saint Christopher School, Nashua; Nashua Catholic Regional Junior High School, Nashua;

Nashua Catholic Regional Junior High School, Nashua; Saint Elizabeth Seton, Bedford; Saint Elizabeth Seton, Bedford; Saint Pius X, Manchester; Saint Elizabeth Seton, Bedford. Visit www.nhcyo.com for additional information about the tournament.

SOCCER

U14 boys compete in Holliston, Mass.

The NH Classics U14 boys soccer team competed in the NEFC Tournament Premier Division this weekend in Holliston, Mass. This tournament brought in 170 boys and girls teams from all over New England, as well as New York, New Jersey and Canada. The Boys U14 group provided stiff competition, including the state champions from Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. A strong effort was put forth by all 16 boys, with a special nod going to tournament MVP Said Haji and to Garret Bolton, who scored the winning goal in the final. The NH Classics Boys U14 team is coached by Jay Joseph and is recognized as one of the top teams in the region. For more information on the NH Classics, visit www.nhclassics.org.

HOCKEY

Hollis Cavaliers Squirt I

beat East Coast Wizards

In Valley League Youth Hockey action, the Hollis Cavaliers Squirt 1 Team defeated the East Coast Wizards by the score of 6-5. The Cavs scoring was spread out with goals by Isaac Rogers with two goals, Trent Costa with two goals, and TJ Vitullo and Parker Mabbett each had a goal. The Cavs defense was led by Dean Poulin, Max Porter, Alec MacEachen and Sean Kelly, who played great against a Wizard team that moved the puck exceptionally well.

Pal Middle School Street

Pal Middle School Street Hockey is offered on Friday afternoons in April and May by the Nashua Police Athletic League in conjunction with the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Nashua. Students at Fairgrounds, Elm Street and Pennichuck schools should sign up at the main office at each middle school. Students at Nashua Catholic should sign up with Mr. Boissoneault. Students at Presentation of Mary Academy should contact Athletic Director, Sgt. Michael Ledoux.

FOOTBALL

Pal Force Football registration

For players and cheerleaders, registrations are Saturday, April 2, from 9-11 a.m., and Tuesday, April 12, from 6-7:30 p.m., at the Chestnut Street Gym at Elm Street Middle School. Ages 5-7 for flag football, 7-14 for tackle football (6 grade levels) and 5-15 for spirit (cheerleading – several age levels). For info and necessary forms, visit www.nashuapalforce.com or contact Johanne Leavitt, 897-9081, oceanwave23@hotmail.com. For flag football, contact Carrie Durant, 438-4794, carrienation74@gmail.com. PAL can also provide help with online registration for those who need it. Offered by the Nashua Police Athletic League.

SOFTBALL

Softball registrations

The Nashua Parks & Recreation Department is now accepting player registration forms for the upcoming softball season.

Registration forms are available at the following locations: Main offices of all Nashua public and private schools, Jeannotte’s Market, Bright Spot Convenience Store, Nashua Public Library and City Clerks Office at City Hall. Forms are also available now at the recreation office at Greeley Park and our website at www.gonashua.com. Rookie League for ages 7-9.

Players in the Rookie League register and there are no tryouts. Players are assigned to a team. Junior League for ages 9-12. Nine-year-olds can register and try out for the Junior League.

Any 9-year-old not making a Junior Team will be assigned to a Rookie Team. Please note the Junior National Division will merge with the Junior American Division to form one Junior League. All returning National and American Division players do not need to register or tryout, they return to their old Junior Teams. Only new players need to register and tryout. Senior League for ages 13-16. No changes in Senior League. All 13 year olds and new players need to register and tryout. All returning players stay with their old team.

Try out dates are as follows:

Tuesday, April 12, 6 p.m., Roby Park for age 9.

Tuesday, April 12, 7 p.m., Roby Park, for age 10.

Thursday, April 14, 6 p.m., Roby Park for age 11.

Thursday, April 14, 7 p.m., Roby Park for age 12.

Rain date: Friday, April 15 or 19, 6 p.m., Roby Park for ages 9-12.

Rain date: Thursday, April 21, 6 p.m., Roby Park for ages 13-16.

UMPIRES

Nashua Rec. Department looking for umpires

The Nashua Parks & Recreation Department is seeking applicants for softball umpires in our Junior Softball League, ages 9-12 years.

These paid positions require a thorough understanding of the rules of the game and a willingness to participate in an instructional clinic for training. Pay is determined by experience and all applicants should be at least 18 years of age.

Applications are available at the Parks & Recreation Department at Greeley Park, 100 Concord Street, or by calling 589-3370.