Nashua North's Alex Pratt goes in for a layup during the Titans' win over Manchester West. For more photos, check out the Photo Album.

In six of their eight losses this season, the Titans have led late in the second half, only to see the opponent rally. All six of those losses have been by nine points or less.

North might have finally kicked that habit Friday night.

The Titans led by nine going into the fourth quarter and held Manchester West to just five points in the final eight minutes to pull out a 54-37 victory in Class L action.

Alex Pratt led the way for North, scoring 15 of his game-high 24 points in the first half. Javon Williams added 14 points for the Titans (8-8) and Trevor Rancourt chipped in with six markers.

The Blue Knights (11-5) got 11 points each from Aaron Martin and Greg Asselin.

“West is a real good team,” North coach Andy Otocka said. “I think that’s the highest quality win we have this year.

“In the past we’ve beaten ourselves. Tonight, we held on in the fourth quarter. We executed much better on offense. We went to the basket instead of settling for jump shots.”

It took North a quarter to get fully warmed up. Down 13-9 early in the second quarter, the Titans went on a 12-0 run, with nine of those points coming from Pratt.

“He’s our captain and he’s our senior,” Otocka said. “His elbow is killing him and he’s worked through it.”

West fought back twice in the second quarter to close in on the lead, and North led by just three at halftime. And after a slow start to the second half, it was more of the same from the Titans.

The Blue Knights pulled within one at 29-28 before the Titans closed the third quarter on a 12-4 run.

“Early in the second half, it didn’t look so hot,” Otocka said. “We took a couple of quick jump shots, but then we got it together and started going to the basket. That’s higher percentage shot all the time.”

West would get no closer than nine points the rest of the way as North was deliberate in its offensive sets, taking its time before moving to the basket.

Being able to hang on for the win was something the coaches and players were pleased about afterward.

“Every game we’ve lost, except for a couple, have been close games in the fourth quarter,” Pratt said. “We’ve been up in the fourth quarter and this time we stuck it out and pulled it out as a team.”

North's Javon Williams tries to get around the Manchester West defense.

Otocka made sure that everyone on the North bench was aware of what the situation was going into the fourth quarter.

“Before the fourth quarter, I said ‘see this is right where we’ve been,’” he said. “We lost five games out of six, and four games were exactly like this. Its composure and knowing what we need to do to succeed at the end of the game. The difference is it worked out this game.”

The Titans finish up the season by heading to Manchester Central on Tuesday before Timberlane Regional visits North for the final home game of the year.

Technorati Tags: boys basketball, Class L, Nashua, North, Titans

Eight Class L championships in a row should do that, right?

The Cardinals won an eighth consecutive Class L indoor track title on Sunday at Dartmouth College, recording 78 points to finish ahead of Manchester Central (66) and Londonderry (55). Merrimack (52) was fourth and Exeter (41) took fifth. Nashua North (23) tied for sixth and Alvirne (six) came in 11th.

BG’s run is the longest such streak in New Hampshire girls indoor track. In state history, only the Nashua High boys indoor track team has a longer streak of consecutive championships, having won 13 in a row from 1959 to 1971, when there was only one classification.

One other indoor program can match the Cardinals’ stretch – the Londonderry boys won eight straight Class L indoor titles from 1995 to 2002. Hanover’s girls outdoor track program also won eight straight Class I titles from 1986 to 1993, while the Nashua boys (1964 to 1971) and the Londonderry boys (1995 to 2002) also won eight straight Class L outdoor titles.

The Cardinals were led by Cecilia Barowski, who finished first in the 55-meter dash (7.4) and the 600 (1:37.46), and was also third in the 300 (42.06). Barowski also teamed with Mary Holleran, Leslie Mei and Sarah Burke to win the 4×400 relay in 4:05.39, setting a Class L record.

The 4×800 team of Leah Ferrara, Meghan Turner, Kaitlin Allen and Burke also finished first (9:48.27). Burke also finished fifth in the 1,000 (3:13.76) and Allen came in sixth (3:13.15) in the same event.

Beth McKenna finished second in 55 hurdles (8.56) and took fourth in high jump (5-2), while Melissa LaCoste took third in high jump (5-2). Courtney Veilleux was also third in 3,000 (10:51.28).

Hannah Moriarty came in fifth in 3,000 (10:58.87) and Holleran finished fifth in long jump (16-4).

Lauren Calvino led Merrimack, winning the 3,000 (10:27.54) and setting a Class L record, to go with a second-place finish in the 1,500 (5:01.3). Kailey Blain finished second in the 55 (7.45), fourth in 300 (42.38) and was third in long jump (16-5 3/4), while Emily Pollard came in second in the 1,000 (3:08.14).

Pollard, Kailey Blain, Taylor Blain and Lauren Pertty were second in the 4×400 (4:05.79).

Nashua North got a first-place finish in the shot put (38-7) from Ivy Muchuma, who was also fourth in the long jump (16-5 3/4). Jen Gagnon also came in sixth in the shot put (33-7 1/4).

Sandra Van Den Heuvel took fourth in the 1,500 (5:04.44) and Louise Van Den Heuvel finished fifth in the 600 (1:44.02)

Alvirne’s 4×200 relay team of Stacie Nuttall, Kristine Rowe, Amanda Roberts and Kendall Brigham finished third in 1:50.53.

Technorati Tags: Alvirne, Bishop Guertin, Broncos, Cardinals, Class L, Merrimack, Nashua North, Nashua South, Panthers, Titans, Tomahawks, track

The Cardinals did enough in the relays to hold off a late Tomahawks’ charge, pulling out an 80-78 win for the school’s first boys indoor track title. Nashua North finished third with 50 points, while Pinkerton (46) came in fourth and Dover (31) was fifth. Nashua South, the defending-champ, came in 10th with 12 points, while Alvirne (two) was 15th.

The battle between the top two teams came down to the final events of the day. The Cardinals got 12 points from Jeff LaCoste and Francis Hernandez in the 1,500-meter run to turn a four-point lead over the Tomahawks into a 16-point lead with two relays left.

Merrimack won the 4×400, while Bishop Guertin failed to place, pulling the Tomahawks within six points. Merrimack finished first in the 4×200, but the Cardinals came in third and the six points was enough to edge the Tomahawks.

Bishop Guertin was led by its distance runners, as Hernandez won the 1,000-meter run (2:31.35), setting a Class L record, and also finished fourth in the 1,500 (4:14.63). Joey Jourdain finished first in the 3,000 (8:47.95) and LaCoste took second in the 1,500 (4:06.73) and third in the 1,000 (2:34.47).

The relay team of Chris Cogliano, Matt Chapman, Brian Donaghy and Brandon Latham also took first in the 4×800, finishing in 8:09.23.

Adam Hall took third in the 55 (6.61) and third in the long jump (20-9 1/4) while Ryan Fitzpatrick was third in the 300 (36.5). Those two teamed with Trent Barillas and Andrew Perrella to finish third in the 4×200 (1:35.41).

Andrew Perez also came in third in the 600 (1:25.93) and Peter Fucci took fifth in high jump (5-6).

Merrimack got a first-place finish from Steve Harshman in the 600 (1:22.2), and he joined Ryan Reagan, Chris Busby, Nicholas Johnson to take third in the 4×800 (8:26.76).

The 4×400 relay team of Reagan, Jonathan Jimenez, Tom Duda and Chaz Myers finished first in 3:31.93, just a second off the Class L record and almost four seconds ahead of second-place Dover. Myers and Jimenez also joined Steve Alario and Brody Williams to win the 4×200 (1:34.51).

Devin Martin won the long jump (21-2) and was third high jump (6-0) while Duda was second in the high jump (6-0) and Chase Distasio finished sixth in the high jump (5-4) and was fifth in the long jump (18-11 3/4).

Alario finished second in the 55 hurdles (8.13) while Williams was sixth in the 55 hurdles (8.37) and John Conlin took third in the 3,000 (8:57.12).

The Titans got two first-place finishes to come in third overall. Kevin Rosenberg took first in the shot put (55-9 1/4), his winning throw nearly eight feet further than second place. Eric Muite also came in first in the 55 hurdles (7.98) while the 4×200 relay team of Andre Williams, Jahmar Gathright, Myles Parker and Luis Tarantino came in second in 1:35.36.

Matt McCarty took second in the 600 (1:22.65) while Parker finished fourth in the 300 (36.65) and Williams came in fifth (36.77). Gathright also was fourth in the long jump (19-3 1/2).

Parker, Williams, McCarty and Mark McHugh came in fourth (3:37.6) in the 4×400 relay.

Ian Parsons led South with a third-place finish in the shot put (45-0) and Aaron Martin came in fifth in the 600 (1:27.13). Martin also teamed with D.J. Fernacz, Brandon O’Donnell and Steve Latina to finish fourth (8:29.24) in the 4×800.

Alvirne got its points from Derek Janko, who finished fifth in the shot put (43-8 1/2).

Technorati Tags: Alvirne, Bishop Guertin, Broncos, Cardinals, Class L, Merrimack, Nashua North, Nashua South, Panthers, Titans, Tomahawks, track

The Cardinals strength is their distance runners, with Francis Hernandez, Joey Jourdain and Jeff LaCoste all seeded in the 600-meter run, 1,000, 1,500 and 3,000. BG should also get some help in the sprints from Adam Hall and Ryan Fitzpartrick, along with three high-seeded relay teams.

Merrimack has a number of high seeds in both jumping events, along with the 55-meter dash and the 55 hurdles. North’s strengths are in the shot put and the sprints.

Defending-champion Nashua South has one of the top shot putters in Ian Parsons, while Alvirne has a highly seeded shot putter of its own in Derek Janko.

The following have qualified for Sunday’s meet:

Bishop Guertin

• Francis Hernandez, 1,000-meter run (1st), 1,500 (1st), 600 (2nd) and 3,000 (2nd).
• Joey Jourdain, 3,000 (1st), 1,500 (4th), 1,000 (7th) and 600 (T14th).
• Jeff LaCoste, 1,500 (3rd), 3,000 (3rd), 1,000 (4th) and 600 (8th).
• Adam Hall, long jump (2nd), 55 (T5th) and 300 (11th).
• Ryan Fitzpatrick, 300 (4th) and 55 (T9th).
• Andrew Perez, 600 (6th) and 300 (6th).
• Peter Fucci, high jump (4th).
• Brett Kana, shot put (15th).
• Brandon Latham, 1,000 (17th).
• BG also has teams in the 4×400 (6th), 4×160 (3rd) and 4×800 (3rd).

Merrimack

• Tim Duda, high jump (3rd) and 55 hurdles (T8th).
• Devin Martin, long jump (3rd), 55 (T9th) and 300 (T12th).
• Steve Harshman, 600 (1st), 1,000 (5th) and 3,000 (10th).
• John Conlin, 1,500 (7th), 1,000 (12th) and 3,000 (12th).
• Steve Alario, 55 hurdles (6th) and shot put (13th).
• Brody Williams, 55 hurdles (7th).
• Jonathan Jimenez, 55 hurdles (13th) and 300 (T14th).
• Julian Dano, 55 (T9th).
• Chaz Myers, 55 (T18th).
• Merrimack also has teams in the 4×400 (1st), 4×160 (4th) and 4×800 (5th).

Nashua North

• Kevin Rosenberg, shot put (1st).
• Eric Muite, 55 hurdles (1st).
• Andre Williams, 300 (2nd) and 55 (4th).
• Myles Parker, 300 (5th) and 55 (T18th).
• Matt McCarty, 600 (3rd) and 1,000 (8th).
• Luis Tarantino, 55 (T9th).
• Tim Coy, shot put (11th).
• North also has teams in the 4×400 (5th), 4×160 (1st) and 4×800 (11th).

Nashua South

• Ian Parsons, shot put (3rd).
• Aaron Martin, 600 (9th).
• D.J. Fernacz, 600 (10th).
• Colin Quinn, shot put (12th).
• South also has teams in the 4×400 (8th), 4×160 (11th) and 4×800 (6th).

Alvirne

• Derek Janko, shot put (5th).
• Luke Mertins, 55 (T18th).
• Alvirne also has teams in the 4×400 (12th), 4×160 (13th) and 4×800 (13th).

Technorati Tags: Alvirne, Bishop Guertin, Broncos, Cardinals, Class L, Merrimack, Nashua North, Nashua South, Panthers, Titans, Tomahawks, track

The Cardinals enter Sunday’s championship meet at Dartmouth College with at least one athlete ranked in the top six of every event but two. That includes three relay teams that are ranked no worse than fourth.

Leading the way is junior Cecilia Barowski, the top seed in the 55-meter dash, the 300 and the 600 and the No. 2 seed in the 1,000. Beth McKenna, Melissa LaCoste, Courtney Veilleux and Kaitlin Allen are also all seeded in the top six of at least one event.

Merrimack and Nashua North could pose the biggest threat to the Cardinals among local teams.

The Tomahawks are led by Kailey Blain, who is seeded in the top five of the long jump, 55 and 300; Lauren Calvino, who is ranked second in both the 1,500 and 3,000; and Emily Pollard, who is seeded fourth in the 1,000 and 600.

Ivy Muchuma is seeded No. 1 in the shot put and second in the long jump for the Titans, while teammate Jen Gagnon is ranked fourth in the shot put.

Alvirne and Nashua South also have a handful of athletes qualified to compete in the championship meet.

The following have qualified for Sunday’s meet:

Bishop Guertin

• Cecilia Barowski, 55-meter dash (1st), 300 (1st), 600 (1st) and 1,000 (2nd).
• Courtney Veilleux, 3,000 (4th), 1,500 (7th), 600 (11th) and 1,000 (16th).
• Kaitlin Allen, 1,500 (6th), 3,000 (6th), 1,000 (T8th) and 600 (14th).
• Beth McKenna, 55 hurdles (T2nd) and high jump (T5th).
• Sarah Burke, 1,000 (7th), 1,500 (11th) and 600 (T12th).
• Melissa LaCoste, high jump (4th).
• Leslie Mei, 300 (7th).
• Hannah Moriarty, 1,500 (10th) and 3,000 (15th).
• Mary Holleran, long jump (11th).
• Leah Ferrara, 1,500 (13th) and 3,000 (15th).
• BG also has teams in the 4×400 (2nd), 4×160 (3rd) and 4×800 (4th).

Nashua North

• Ivy Muchuma, shot put (1st), long jump (2nd) and 55 hurdles (T7th).
• Sandra Van Den Heuvel, 1,500 (5th), 1,000 (6th) and 3,000 (9th).
• Jen Gagnon, shot put (4th).
• Louise Van Den Heuvel, 1,000 (T8th) and 600 (10th).
• Tatiana Escalante, 55 (T7th).
• North also has teams in the 4×400 (12th), 4×160 (10th) and 4×800 (8th).

Merrimack

• Lauren Calvino, 3,000 (2nd), 1,500 (2nd) and 1,000 (5th).
• Emily Pollard, 1,000 (4th), 600 (4th) and 300 (T10th).
• Kailey Blain, 55 (4th), 300 (4th) and long jump (5th).
• Hannah Lynch, long jump (8th).
• Jacqueline DeGrandpre, 3,000 (12th).
• Lauren Perry, 600 (18th).
• Merrimack also has teams in the 4×400 (4th), 4×160 (T6th) and 4×800 (6th).

Alvirne

• Michelle Filadoro, 55 hurdles (T10th).
• Amanda Roberts, long jump (15th).
• Emily LaPlant, 1,000 (17th).
• Kendall Brigham, 300 (T18th).
• Alvirne also has teams in the 4×400 (14th), 4×160 (4th) and 4×800 (10th).

Nashua South

• Caitlin Rush, 600 (T16th).
• South also has teams in the 4×400 (13th) and 4×160 (16th).

Technorati Tags: Alvirne, Bishop Guertin, Broncos, Cardinals, Class L, Merrimack, Nashua North, Nashua South, Panthers, Titans, Tomahawks, track