When it comes to scheduling, there’s one major difference between Class L and the others.
There’s no rematches. In Class I, M and S, teams that are within close proximity play each other at home and away. In Class L, everyone plays (almost) everyone.
While Alvirne High School boys basketball coach Kevin Bonney understands that his team will eventually play all of the top teams in the class, the Broncos are in the midst of a stretch against teams that are a combined 37-25. So far, Alvirne has gone 2-3 against Manchester Central, Nashua North, Dover, Spaulding and Bishop Guertin, with games against Merrimack and Salem up next.
Of that group, only Spaulding and Salem have a losing record. But the Broncos lost to the Red Raiders last Friday (51-50) and the Blue Devils have turned their season around after knocking BG and Merrimack, two teams that were undefeated at the time.
“It’s a dogfight night in and night out,” Bonney said. “Everyone is going to beat up on each other. I think there’s the understanding that we move forward and play Merrimack on Friday. They’re another tough one.”
It’s not as if the Broncos have been out of any of the four games they’ve lost. Alvirne has lost by one point (Spaulding), two points (North) and three points (Manchester West) this season, and had a lead in the fourth quarter against BG.
“On any night, we can compete with people,” Bonney said. “It’s just a question of committing to it for 32 minutes.”
Alvirne will have another 32 minutes to play Friday at Merrimack before heading to Salem on Feb. 9.