The state champion Pop Warner Junior Pee Wee Merrimack Cardinals (11-0) have now advanced to the New England Regional semifinals vs. the North County Panthers (12-0) on Sunday at Lampson Field, at 1 Ed Hayes Way, in Billerica, Mass., at 10 a.m.

The Cardinals need to win their next two gmes to compete in the national finals in Florida.

Among the members of the Cardinals roster are Andrew Almonte,, Jaice Grigg, Justin Fournier, Hayden Moses, Caden Dudash, Cody Keefe, Casey Craven,, Kaiden Orme, Zachariah Twardoski, Koen Kyer, Zachary Maszczak, Aydan Durant, John Rowe 1V, Kane Kyer, Noah Kelton, Nathan Hennas, Drew Vail,, Hunter Davis, Alex Bradley, Chandler Partello , John Mclain, Brett Michalewicz, and Vincent Robidoux .

The team is coachd by Jason Turley, Russ Craven,Artie Little Sr., Dan Durant, Eric Twardosky, and Peter Pang.

HOCKEY

Cav Pee Wees skate to win and tie

In Valley League Youth Hockey action, the Southern New Hampshire Cavaliers Pee Wee 1 Team remained on top in the AAA Division with a win and a tie.

In their first match-up the Cavs downed Triton, 6-1. Just a little over a minute into the game, Southern New Hampshire jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead when Damien Barahona hit linemate Max Sears with a nice pass. Sears then beat the Triton goalie to notch the goal. The Cavs lines of Austin Csizek/Chris Haley/Isaac Rogers and Damien Barahona/TJ Vitullo/Max Sears did an excellent job cycling the puck, creating scoring opportunities for Haley and Vitullo, who each notched a goal to give the Cavs a 3-0 lead at the end of one.

Vitullo and Haley each added another goal in the second to provide the Cavs a commanding 5-0 lead. The locals’ defense was exceptional, paced by strong performances by net-minders Ben Goolsby and Nick Hall, while defensemen Joe Roth, Ruthvik Yenisetti, Nic Miller and Sean Kelly shut down Triton as soon as it entered the zone.

In the final period the Cavs’ Joe Roth would add a nice one-timer off a face-off win by Vitullo to increase the lead to 6-0.

In another recent game, the Cavs skated to a 3-3 tie with a tough SMS Pee Wee team. Despite excellent puck control in both the offensive and defensive zones the Cavs could not maintain a lead.

Isaac Rogers scored in the first 30 seconds of the game to provide the Cavs a 1-0 lead, but SMS scored twice in the middle of the period to go up 2-1. Rogers would get a nice unassisted goal towards the end of first period to even the score 2-2.

In the second period, forwards Sears,Vitullo, Barahona, Rogers, Haley, and Roth worked the puck well but could not generate many scoring chances. Cavs defensemen Kelly, Miller, and Yenisetti played well, while goalies Hall and Goolsby both came up with some outstanding saves.

Midway into the third period the Cavs jumped out to a 3-2 lead with beautiful shot by Sears, but the lead would be short lived as SMS would tie things up about a minute later, resulting in the 3-3 final.

SNH Cavs Squirt Blue falls to Charlestown, 3-2

The Charlestown Squirts put up two goals in the first period and dominated the neutral zone throughout, not allowing The Cavaliers to mount an attack.

Down by two goals, the Cavs’ offensive line of Aidan Rowe, Will Dodge and Jack Conmy stormed Charlestown defense. Dodge scored off a rebound, with assist going to both Rowe and Conmy. Charlestown, however, scored again in the second going back on top by two.

The defense of Matthew MacBean, Ethan Gaffney, Ben Foley and Thomas Cahill kept the play out of their own end ending the second 3-1.

In the third, Cavs goalie Nate Bizier made two huge saves on a 3-on-2 and a breakaway keeping the game within reach. Offensively, Andre Ducharme, Ryan Bizier and Ryan Kelley continued the aggressive play in the Charleston end.

With five minutes left, Bizier and Dodge kept the puck moving along the boards and eventuall assisted on Matthew D’Ortona’s wrist shot goal from the blue line. The Cavaliers’ pulled their goalie for an extra forward, but Charlestown goalie made an outstanding save to seal the win.

Cavaliers Squirt White go 1-1

In the first game, the Cavaliers topped Methuen 9-0, getting off to a quick start. Aggressive defense by Sinead Macaraeg, Michael Spinazzola and Sal Vella, kept the puck in the Methuen zone for most of the first period. Chase Devins scored first (unassisted) halfway through the first quickly followed by Evan Doughty crashing the net on a Jesse Gertz rebound. The Cavaliers scored their third of the period at the buzzer as Devins sent the puck through several defenders in the slot to Gertz who converted with an empty net in front of him.

The Cavs started to run away with it in the second as Ty Soule put an unassisted goal on the board followed by Gertz and another pair by Devins for a hat trick. Cavs goalie Jacob Roy stopped several third period breakaway attempts to preserve the shutout while Vella and Soule added another two goals.

However the Cavs later fell to defeat at the hands of the Parkway Squirts in a battle of unbeatens. Kevin Sullian and Matt Choate played well defensively for the Cavs but it wasn’t enough. Vella scored the only goal for the locals, while Ryan McInnis played well in goal despite Parkway jumping out to a 2-0 lead and scoring two unanswered goals later in the game to seal the win.

BASKETBALL

CYO MITES (5th/6th grade)Girls: St. Christopher 28, Presentation of Mary Academy 12

In their season opener played at Parish of the Resurrection, St. Christopher girls Mites came out on top. Playing well defensively for St. Chris were Anna Stawasz, Claire LaPlante, Jordan Boschetto, Kristen Coumas and Ava Therrien. Leading the lady Huskies in scoring were Natalie Sheehy (eight points), Grace Wilson (eight points), Kristen McIntire (six) and Sophia Lathram (four).

Boys: St. Christopher 28, Parish of the Resurrection 30

Resurrection survived the St. Christopher second-half rally and took the win at Parish of the Resurrection.

Matthew Thibault had a strong showing for St. Christopher with 12 points and as many rebounds. Chase Nickerson delivered eight points and four rebounds, and Alex Williams was a force with three rebounds.

Keeping St. Christopher in the game with two points each were Manny Mendoza, Toby Therrien, Emeka Okorie, and Nasir Perry.

Elks Hoop Shoot Free Throw Contest Dec. 7

The Nashua Lodge of Elks will be hosting the 42nd Greater Nashua Elks’ “Hoop Shoot” Free Throw contest on Saturday morning, December 7 in the Elm Street Middle School Gymnasium on Chestnut Street, beginning promptly at 8 a.m. The program is free of charge.

The competition is open to all interested boys and girls, between the ages of 8 and l3, from the Hudson, Litchfield, Nashua, Hollis, Brookline, Amherst, Milford, Wilton and Merrimack areas. A youngster’s age on April 1, 2014 determines his/her age division. There will be six age divisions, three for boys and three for girls each, 8-9, l0-11 and 12-13. Trophies will be presented to the top three boys and girls in each division.

Contestants will shoot five warm-ups before shooting 25 free throws for score, and must wear basketball or tennis shoes to compete. T-shirts, slacks or pants may be worn but basketball uniforms are preferred, but not necessary.

As each age category is completed, contestants may leave. The entire contest usually lasts about two hours, enabling youths to make scheduled league games elsewhere.

Over three million youngsters competed last year in the Elks National Hoop Shoot Free Throw contest, starting with the local level, district, state, regional and national levels. Winners will have their names inscribed in the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass.

The Nashua Elks have sent 11 to the national finals: Steven Piwowoski, Melissa Ayotte, Debra Killmon, Ellen Tipping, Ryan Robinson, Ryan Sullivan, Michael Panagoulias (all of Nashua), Caleb Donnelly of Hudson, Max Coleman of Londonderry, Tom O’Hearn of Hudson and Tilak Patel of Nashua.. In 2006, Caleb Donnelly was the first Greater Nashua Area Champion to win the Elks National Hoop Shoot Free Throw Championship.

Elks Youth Chairman Al Savage is in charge of the local contest and can be reached at (603) 888-0064 for further information. Local winners will compete in the State Elks Southern New Hampshire District Free Throw contest in Nashua on Saturday, Jan. 4.

GYMNASTICS

Nashua School of Gymnastics opens season

The Nashua School of Gymnastics, levels 4-6, opened its season in the Kickoff Meet at Phantom Gymnastics in Hampstead.

In Level 4 (age 6-8), Megan White had an All-Around of 31.525 as she scored a 7.7 (third) on vault, 6.9 on bars, 7.925 on beam and 9.0 (second) on floor.

In Level 4 (age 9), Christina Cross had an All Around of 35.8 (second) with an 8.775 (fourth) on vault, 9.15 (fourth) on bars, 9.025 (first) on beam and 8.85 (fifth) on floor.

Also, Sue Mai White was third All-Around at 35.523 with an 8.975 (second) on vault, 9.2 (second) on bars, 8.60 (fourth) on beam and 8.75 (seventh) on floor.

Lindsey Campbell had an All-Around of 34.05 (seventh) with 8.75 (fifth) on vault, 8.0 on bars, 8.2 (eighth) on beam and 9.1 (second) on floor.

Gabbi Gillis was 32.95 All-Around paced by a 9.175 (1st) on floor.

In Level 4 (age 10), April Koczalka was fourth All Around (34.475) with an 8.575 (third) on vault, 8.7 (fifth) on bars, 8.35 on beam and 8.85 (sixth) on floor. Annika Sinclair had an All Around of 33.825 highlighted by a 8.65 (sixth) on bars. Cloe Rivest had an 8.875 (second) on vault en route to an All-Around of 33.05.

In Level 6 (age 10-11), Emily Colburn was second All-Around at 35.350 highlighted by a first on bars (9.00), 9.025 on beam (third) and third on floor at 9.00. Corey Foster totaled an All Around Score of 35.10; she scored a 9.275 (first) on vault and 8.65 (second) on bars..

In Level 6 (12-14 years), there were 10 local competitors starting with Kyra Rivest who was third All Around Score of 35.70 with a first on vault (9.55), 8.85 (second) on bars, 8.175 on beam and 9.125 (second ) on floor. Olivia Bouthot was fourth All Around (35.35) with a first on bars (9.025), 8.675 on vault, 8.55 on beam and 9.10 (third) on floor. Emmie White was seventh All Around (34.60) with a fourth on vault (9.175), and seventh on floor (8.925).

Elsewhere, Devon Rosier was first on floor (9.35) and third on vault (9.225) en route to a 34.475 All-Around on vault (9.225). Abby Fitzpatrick was seventh on vault (8.975) toward a 34.275 All-Around and Reece Greenleaf seventh on bars (8.425) with a 34.10 All Around.

Abbey Catalano was sixth on bars (8.60) and sixth on beam (8.70) and 33.275 All Around; Lexi Sarro (fourth bars, 7.90 and seventh beam at 8.95) had a 32.90 All Around. Hanna Speight was seventh on beam (8.60) with a 32.90 All Around. Jenna Hatula was fourth on beam (8.775), 16.675 All Around.