Alan Greenwood

Simpler times in high school sports produced deeper community ties. This morning’s example: The Class L basketball finals featuring Nashua High School against Portsmouth, with the Purple Panthers chasing their third straight championship.

A throng of Nashuans accompanied the team to Durham, helping pack the old UNH gym. The joint was, no doubt, rocking.

Portsmouth won the game, but as venerable Telegraph sports editor Mike Shalhoup put it, the Panthers had “nothing to be ashamed of. Not once in the terrific struggle did they quit and on several occasions made a series of clutch plays, which might have paved the way to overtake the battling sailors.”

MARCH 6, 1961: “Nashua High’s basketball forces suffered the most heartbreaking setback of the decade as it dropped a 64-54 decision to Portsmouth and lost out in a bid for its unprecedented third straight state championship at Durham on Saturday night.”

“… Kenny Kane, the sparkplug of the two previous (tournament) wins, couldn’t buy a basket in the first half and eventually scored all of his 12 points in the second half. Frank Ulcickas took the team honors with 19, most of his coming in the second half.”

MARCH 7, 1966: “Nashua’s crack track team put the finishing touches on its finest season yet when coach Fran Tate’s proud trackmen completely dominated all other competitors to easily win the annual Northern Interscholastic Tri-State meet.

“The victory climaxed probably the most satisfying winter track season a Fran Tate team has ever enjoyed.

“… Bill Foucher starred for the Purple crew as he raced through the 50-yard dash in 5.6 seconds and then cleared the 45-yard high hurdles in a fine 5.7 seconds. Dave Biron defended his 300-yard title as he cut the tape in 34.2 seconds.

“… Foucher was also elected to accept the Nashua Telegraph trophy for the Nashuans.”

MARCH 8, 1971: “Hollis High’s bid for the Class M (basketball) championship ran into a Woodsville High steamrolling Saturday night at the University of New Hampshire as the Engineers downed the Cavaliers, 71-41, at the Lundholm Gymnasium.

“… Steve Luce led Hollis with 20 points while Drew Kronk, the hero in Friday night’s 64-54 semifinal victory over Hinsdale, was limited to seven points by the tight-guarding Woodsville defense.”

MARCH 9, 2001: “Unfortunately for Bishop Guertin sharpshooter Greg Bourbeau, the bullseye on his back Thursday night was as big as his heart. He tore through the Manchester West lineup for nine points in the first quarter of the Cardinals’ 73-70 Class L preliminary-round loss at the hands of Manchester West but had just two hoops thereafter.

“The difference? Perhaps, since he is Guertin’s biggest spark. And the Blue Knights knew it.”

MARCH 10, 2006: “The Merrimack High School boys basketball team has played more tournament games in Durham than any other team in Class L over the last four years. It has almost become his second home.

“But with five seconds left in regulation Thursday night the Tomahawks trailed 33-31 and needed to inbound the ball and go the length of the court to win or tie the game. They caught a break when Eric Anderson was fouled on the inbounds pass, sank a pair of free throws, then came up big in overtime as Merrimack advanced with a 42-38 win and will play third-ranked Exeter in the quarterfinals at UNH.”

MARCH 12, 2011: “They were the team Division I coaches were hoping to avoid early in the tournament. Now there is no avoiding the Alvirne High School boys basketball team.

“The 11th seeded Broncos, who opened the season 0-6, followed up Tuesday night’s upset victory over Merrimack by stunning No. 3 Manchester Memorial on Friday night, 56-54, in overtime.

“Guard Tony Beaulieu, whose buzzer-beathing layup beat the Tomahawks 50-48 three nights earlier, came up big for the Broncos again, especially in the second half and overtime.”

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