BASKETBALL

Elks Hoop Shoot

Pair of Nashuans win state
free throw titles in Portsmouth

Trevor Labrecque and Grace Cardin can certainly sink their shots from the charity stripe. The two Greater Nashua Elks Hoop Shoot Champions and New Hampshire Southwest District Champions won the 8-9 age division titles at the 2014 New Hampshire State Elks Hoop Shoot Free Throw Championships in Portsmouth.

Labrecque, 8, won the boys, while 9-year-old Cardin won the girls.

Nashua’s third Southwest District Champion, 13-year-old Tilak Patel, received honorable mention in the 12-13 boys division, which was won by George Welch of Derry/Salem. The other three state champions crowned were Aiden Kane of Derry/Salem, who won the 10-11 boys title, girls 10-11 champion Leia Brunt of Plymouth and 12-13 girls champion Delany Ross of Laconia.

The Harry Mullen Memorial Sharpshooter Trophy went to the top boy shooter, George Welch, who dropped in 22 out of 25 free throws. The Fred Rheault Memorial Sharpshooter trophy was awarded to the top girl shooter, Delaney Ross, who dropped in 17 free throws.

The six state champions will now advance to the Elks 2014 Regionals in Portland, Maine, on March 22. April’s Nationals will be in Springfield, Mass.

Nashua Nighthawks

Fifth Grade Green Boys

The undefeated Nashua Nighthawks Fifth Grade Green team steam rolled over the Lowell Red team, 68-17, after leading 34-6 at halftime.

Nashua controlled the boards, with almost 40 rebounds, and also had over 20 steals. Matt Keisling had a season-high eight rebounds, and there were season-high points scored by Mikey Robbins with 15 and Jalen Gilmore with 14. Each of the team’s members had at least one rebound, and contributed to the team’s 68 points. Gilmore (14 points, two rebounds), Curtis Harris (nine points, one rebound), Nathan Kane (four points, six boards), Keisling (two points, eight boards), Jaden Murphy (eight, two), Liam Novak (two, six), Robbins (three rebounds), Cody Rocheleau (six, two) John Sullivan (four, four), and Joshua Taylor (two, two). Some of the highlights are Kane’s five assists and Gilmore’s six steals. The team is coached by head coach Stephanie Kane and assistant coach Aaron Lopez.

Fifth Grade Boys White

The Nighthawks went 3-0 for the week, including a 53-27 win Billerica, Mass. All players contributed to the scoring on Sunday led by Stephen Norris (15 points), Connor Dunning and Sam McElliott (seven points), Nick Drew (six points), Isaac Acorn (five points), Daniel Dockrill (four points), Sebastian Coelho (three points) and Sid Dutta, Kyle Gauthier and Landon Moore each with two points. The team also add a season-high 21 points from the free throw line on 36 attempts.

Nashua also Nashua defeated Wilmington 40-24 after being down 21-17 at halftime. Scoring for Nashua were Norris (nine points), Dockrill (seven), McElliot and Dunning (six each), Moore (four), and Acorn (three). Geoffrey Lynch, Gauthier and Dutta rounded out the scoring. On the defensive side Coelho contributed with three steals and Drew had two blocked shots.

Earlier, Nashua defeated Reading 47-32 behind McElliot’s season high 15 points. Also contributing to the scoring were Dunning (10 points), Norris (five), Moore (four), Dutta, Dockrill, Acorn (each with three) with Coelho and Drew (two apiece). Gauthier and Lynch contributed with a strong defensive effort each with multiple steals.

Seventh Grade Boys

The Nighthawks started strong but could not hold a halftime lead and fell 58-44 to Westford, Mass. Nashua was led by Chase Hart and Nevan Roy, each with 10 points.

The Hawks also received offensive contributions from Andrew Penkala (seven points), Casey McNally (six), Matt Wall (five), Gabe Perrault (three), and Spencer Desrosiers (two).

Also playing well for the Nighthawks were Jeff Reza and Stephen McLendon.

CYO

Jr. Mites (3-4th grade)

St. Christopher Green 35,

St. Christopher White 20

St. Chris Green leading scorers were Nolan Ryan, Faith Sutton, Carlie Dufoe and Michael Gigliotti. St. Chris White was led offensively by Alex Rossi, Caroline Vanderberg and Nick Bourn.

Girls Mites (5-6th grade)

Mount St. Mary 28, St. Christopher 27 (OT)

Mt. St. Mary’s was fouled with no time left on the clock, making the second of two free-throws for a dramatic win. Nicole Yeaton, Grace Wilson, and Ava Therrien played great defense for the Huskies, resulting in several key turnovers. Sophia Lathram hit a shot with 10 seconds left in OT. Natalie Sheehy (10 points), Kirsten McIntire (nine), Sophia Lathram (six) and Kristen Coumas (two) led the offensive charge for the St. Chris, now 3-3 on the season.

HOCKEY

Nashua Panthers

Panthers 4, Berlin 4

Tyler Martin’s goal with 52 seconds remaining allowed the Panthers to earn a tie with host Berlin in a Granite State League game. Martin’s goal highlighted a three-goal third period outburst by Nashua.

After a scoreless first period Berlin scored twice to take a 2-0 lead. Soon after, Ryan Catalano (two goals, assist) scored to put the Panthers on the board assisted by Martin and Christopher Gillis.

After giving up a late second period goal, the Panthers entered the third period trailing 3-1. Once again the Panthers responded to close within one 3-2 as Isaac Winsor lit the lamp assisted by Dylan Carr and Brenner Plaehn.

Shortly after, Berlin scored to make it 4-2 and once again Nashua refused to go away. Catalano added his second goal of the game assisted by Joey Turner and Anne McIntosh with just over four minutes to play leading to Martin’s game-tying goal with under a minute to play assisted by Catalano and Plaehn.

Panthers goalie Cameron Reinbold made 18 of his 20 saves in the first two periods and made several big saves to keep the Panthers in the game.

Defensively, Matthew Tourangeau prevented several Berlin scoring chances.

Julie McLaughlin showed trememndous flexibility playing both center and defense for Nashua, which also gave a valiant effort against Tewksbury, falling 2-1 in a Valley League hockey game at Skate 3.

The Panthers fell behind 1-0 in the first period, giving up a short-handed goal but responded on the same power play as Plaehn scored on assists from Carr and Brayden Goode. A second period goal by Tewksbury proved to be the game-winner.

Southern NH
Cavaliers

Cavs Pee Wee 1 battles back for 3-2 win over Charlsetown (Mass.)

In Valley Youth Hockey action the Southern NH Cavaliers ralled to defeat the Charlestown Pee Wees.

In an extremely physical game that saw 20 total penalties,the Cavs jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead with a beautiful goal by Isaac Rogers, off a feed from linemate T.J. Vitullo. Charlestown battled back to go up 2-1 by the end of the period.

In the second period the CAVs, forward lines Austin Ciszek/Chris Haley/Joe Roth and Max Sears/ Vitullo/Rogers did an outstanding job with puck control off excellent breakout passing from the Cavs defensemen Ruthvik Yenisetti, Sean Kelly, Damien Barahona and Nic Miller.

Late in the second period Sears crashed the net and picked up a rebound off a shot from Rogers to tie the game 2-2. A little over a minute later the Cavs again had Charlestown pinned in the offensive zone when Vitullo let rip a slap shot to give the locals the 3-2 lead.

In a physical third period, the Cavs killed off a number of 5-3 shorthanded situations. Southern NH goalies Ben Goolsby and Nick Hall made critical saves throughout the game.

Cavaliers Squirt 2 White

The Hudson Cyclones defeated the Cavaliers Squirt 2 White team, 5-4.

The Cyclones offense came out strong in the first period with two goals, the first by Jack Simmons (assisted by Hayden Shattuck) and the second by Aiden Laurendau (assisted by Colin Ross). The line of Sal Vella, Chase Devins and Evan Doughty was kept in check as Cyclones goaltender Christian Reynolds made key stops.

In the second period, the Cavs line of Jesse Gertz, Kevin Sullivan and Jacob Roy managed to dominate the boards and with just under five minutes played in the period though, Roy managed to stuff a loose puck into the back of the net. The Cyclones answered though when Sebastian Zeman intercepted an errant pass and scored on a breakaway, barely beating Cavaliers goaltender Ryan McInnis. Gertz answered the Zeman goal just 40 seconds later which was promptly answered by Laurendrau to end the second period with 40 seconds left, making it 4-2 Hudson.

In the third period, Vella managed to connect with Sullivan for a score to make it 4-3. But the Cyclones again roared right back in less than a minute later when Shattuck scored unassisted. Matt Choate’s rebound goal, assisted by Sullivan, accounted for the 5-4 final.

WRESTLING

Amherst Recreation

Amherst has strong in January

The Amherst Recreation wrestling team had a very busy and successful month of competition in January.

First, the team split 18 matches against Nashua’s Elm Street Middle School. Picking up wins for Amherst were Noah Gonzalez, Jack Hall, Ryan Hauser, Trey Johnson, James Raiser, Ben Theriault, Paul Trombi, Andy Warren and Ben Warren.

Next, Amherst battled host Nashua Catholic, Keene and Hudson in a quad meet, getting seven wins in 19 matches. Recording wins for Amherst were Gonzalez, Hall, Mitch Hauser, Raiser, Theriault and Andy Warren.

Amherst then placed third in the fifth-sixth grade division of the Rundlett Middle School Invitational in Concord. Earning points towards the team score were Aidan Wilson, Owen Frates (third place), Eren LaBonte (second), Ryan Hauser (second), Raiser (third ), Ben Theriault (fourth) and Trombi (first place)

Finally, the Amherst Recreation team traveled to Milford Middle School and Nashua’s Fairgrounds Middle School, winning 13 out of 21 matches. Recording wins for Amherst were Luke Civiello, Amelia Collard, Gonzalez, Jack Hall, Tyler Hall, Ryan Hauser, Johnson, Eren LaBonte, James Raiser, Sam Theriault, Trombi and Andy Warren.

Amherst next visits Nashua Fairgrounds on Friday and then will compete in the State Regional Tournament Feb. 16.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Hockey

Olympian Dave Silk to appear at Nashua Panthers fundraiser

The Nashua Panthers are inviting people to watch the movie “Miracle” at Chunky’s in Nashua, and after the movie fans will have a chance to meet Dave Silk, who is portrayed in the movie and was a member of the 1980 United States gold medal winning men’s hockey team that upset the Russians along the way.

All money raised will benefit the Nashua Panthers Squirt A team that is hoping to play in a youth hockey tournament in Lake Placid, N.Y., from March 13-16.

Tickets to the event are $20 and include an 8×10 “Miracle” photo, autograph and photo opportunity, plus the chance to participate in a question and answer session with Silk after the movie.

Only 150 tickets will be available to ensure intimacy and time constraints. There will also be a silent auction and raffle.

Those who cannot make the event can still donate to the Lake Placid trip.

The Panthers are also raising money online where people can donate directly at http://www.gofundme.com/6chwb8.

The Panthers roster features 12 players: Dylan Carr, Ryan Catalano, Christopher Gillis, Brayden Goode, Tyler Martin, Anne McIntosh, Julie McLaughlin, Brenner Plaehn, Cameron Reinbold, Matthew Tourangeau, Joey Turner and Isaac Winsor.

For more information or to order tickets call Jon Goode at 978-805-5106 or email jgoode@nashuasilverknights.com.

Baseball

Hudson registration now open

Spring registration for Hudson Youth Baseball is now open. HYB features six divisions (T-ball, Rookie, AA, AAA, Majors, and Babe Ruth Division) for boys and girls ages 4-15.

Registration and more information can be found at www.hudsonyouthbaseball.com.

Knights, Devils openings

The New Hampshire Knights and New Hampshire Diamond Devils have a few openings to fill out their 2014 rosters.

The programs offer offseason training, a 30-game schedule, travel tournaments and complete uniforms – including jacket and batting helmet. The 12U Diamond Devils are the Southern New Hampshire All Stars and will be competing in Cooperstown, N.Y., in August.

The 12U Diamond Devils, 13U NH Knights and 14U NH Knights have openings for accomplished players with All Star experience that can play at least two positions. The teams will not conflict with school ball or local recreation programs. Features of the program include professional coaches, video analysis, strength and conditioning, small roster sizes and a flexible schedule. Tryouts are ongoing. Contact Coach Loftus at nashuabaseballacademy@comcast.net or call 603-233-5587.

Nashua Baseball Academy

The Nashua Baseball Academy will hold group training for athletes to prepare for the upcoming spring season. Training is offered in age brackets 12 and under and 13 and older.

Practices are twice per week for one-and-a-half hours and fundamentals and mechanics are covered in a team like setting. Boys are taught a skill, involved in repetitive exercises to practice the skill and then compete in fun games to test and improve skills.

The fee is $300 for 12 practices, or $25 for a one-and-a-half hour session and scholarships are available based on need. Contact Coach Loftus to reserve a spot at www.nashuabaseballacademy@comcast.net or call 603-233-5587. All practices are held at 265 Proctor Hill Rd. in Hollis and the next session begins Feb. 14.

Umpires still needed

The Nashua Baseball Umpires Association is looking for additional umpires for the Spring 2014 baseball season. Experience is not necessary as the NBUA will train all candidates, as young as 12 years old.

The NBUA 2014 Umpire Academy will begin on Feb. 9, and last through early April. Training will consist of a combination of classroom and on-field/gymnasium training.

Instructors have over 125 combined years of umpiring experience, including Little League, Cal Ripken, Babe Ruth, High School, AAU, NCAA Division I, and several professional umpire schools.

The NBUA serves the Nashua Cal Ripken and Souhegan Valley Babe Ruth Leagues, as well as the New England Reds and Team AB travel baseball programs.

For more information or to enroll in the NBUA Umpire Academy, go to http://www.nashuaumpires.org or call Scott at 603-203-8569. Late registrations will be accepted until March 1, but please call Scott first.

BASKETBALL

AAU tryouts

NE Lady Panthers

The NE Lady Panthers girls AAU basketball club is hosting tryouts for the fall season Sunday at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Billerica, 19 Campbell Rd., Billerica, Mass.

Players in fifth through eighth grade can try out at 4 p.m. and ninth to 11th grade at 5. The cost is $20 with a 2014 AAU card. Athletes should attend the time based on what grade they are in now.

Visit www.neladypanthers.org or email neladypanthers@aol.com for additional information.

ELECTIONS

MYA

Skeffington Scholarship Fund

A general election for the Peter J. Skeffington Scholarship Fund Inc. Board of Directors will be held on Sunday at 7 p.m. in the Merrimack Youth Association Building on Daniel Webster Highway in Merrimack.

Requirements for eligibility are you must have been, or are currently participating as a coach, manager, official or Board of Director member with the Merrimack Youth Association programs.

For more information, please contact Bob Shagoury at 424-3836 or Donna Conley at 718-1166.