Alan Greenwood

Nashua High School didn’t win a state championship in the first post-World War II football season but it did claim a measure or two of success.

DEC. 12, 1945: Three NHS players were first-team picks for the All-New Hampshire team, including left guard George Petropoulos, quarterback Earle McKeown and right halfback Edward Dobrowolski. Nashua’s second-teamers were left end Charles Daukas, left tackle Frank Romel and fullback Henry Labelle.

Capping the season with a crowd estimated at more than 13,000 by Telegraph sports editor Frank Stawasz, the football team gained a profit of $5,780.74. That was more than enough to subsidize the basketball and baseball programs.

DEC. 13, 1985: “Skip Barry led all scorers with 17 points and all Boston College starters were in double digits as the Eagles defeated Utica College, 93-66 Thursday night.

“Boston College, 5-0, hit 66 percent from the floor and connected on 11 of 12 shots from the foul line.”

DEC. 14, 1950: “George ‘Birdie’ Tebbetts, Nashua’s only representative in the major leagues, hinted this morning in an exclusive interview with the Telegraph that the Gate City may be without a major-league native so shortly.

“The popular backstop, who arrived in the big time in 1936, hinted the end to his career after Cleveland general manager Hank Greenberg announced his purchase form the Boston Red Sox.”

Tebbetts went on to play two seasons with the Indians. He launched his 12-year big-league managerial career with Cincinnati in 1954.

DEC. 15, 1965: “Holding a three-point lead at halftime, the Bishop Guertin hoopmen faltered in the second half as Dracut High, spurred by the fine play of Steve Coravas, rallied its forces to pin a 56-48 basketball setback on the Guertinmen last night at the Almont St. Gym.

Jerry Vermette led Guertin with 12 points and Tom Smith had 10.

DEC. 16, 1980: “… It wasn’t the greatest of nights in the history of the defending Class L runner-up (Merrimack) Tomahawks, who lost 58-36, their third setback in four games. Nashua, on the other hand finally showed signs of recovery after compiling the most misleading of any early-second record in L,1-3 before last night.

“‘I think that tells a lot about the kind of teams we’ve been playing, doesn’t it,’ Nashua coach John Fagula said.”

Few folks underestimated Fagula’s Purple Panthers in the ensuing seasons.

DEC. 17, 1990: “It took a little while for Wilton-Lyndeborough High School girls basketball team to get rolling last night. Once the Warriors heated up, though, Calvary Christian was in trouble. Wilton recovered from a 10-4 first-quarter deficit to score two points in the last period to beat the Eagles, 48-38.

“Debbie Burns, Carol Young and Jenn Vanderhoof sparked Wilton with six points apiece in Period 4, when the Warriors pulled away from a 28-28 tie.”

DEC. 18, 1955: “Little League ballpark on North Common will be flooded by Park-Recreation commission employees next week to become a new, and fourth municipal skating rink in operation this season.

“The crew was out flooding again last night at South Common, Marshall St. and Atherton Ave. after sweeping the rinks of Thursday night’s snow, superintendent Raymond F. Lee said.

The switch from Holman Stadium is being tried as an experiment as it is difficult to make ice in the stadium and the location has not proved too popular.”

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