> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.nh-highschoolsports.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Depth, chemistry will be key for Alvirne boys basketball this season - URL: https://www.nh-highschoolsports.com/depth-chemistry-will-be-key-for-alvirne-boys-basketball-this-season/ - Published: 2018-12-20T18:30:13.000Z - Updated: 2018-12-20T18:30:13.000Z - Description: Marty Edwards guessed that eight or nine players had scored points for the Alvirne High School boys basketball team in Tuesday night's Division I opener against Merrimack. Three players were in double figures, and three more had at least five points, and that's how the Broncos coach expects it to be - Author: Joe Marchilena - Tags: Division I, Alvirne, boys basketball, Merrimack, NH High School Sports Insider, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-08-18 04:44 Marty Edwards guessed that eight or nine players had scored points for the Alvirne High School boys basketball team in Tuesday night's Division I opener against Merrimack. Three players were in double figures, and three more had at least five points, and that's how the Broncos coach expects it to be as the team tries to figure out how to replace the production of Max Bonney-Liles. Last year's New Hampshire Gatorade Player of the Year, Bonney-Liles averaged more than 21 points per game for Alvirne as a senior, but Edwards feels confident that his returning players did enough in the offseason to be able to collectively carry the load. "A lot of guys developed around Max last year," Edwards said. "In the offseason, collectively, they came together and were lifting weights. We played a lot of basketball in the offseason together. I think it’s starting to manifest now. They play well together, they like each other, there is good chemistry." It showed in the 71-45 win over the Tomahawks to start the season, as Alvirne moved the ball well in the first quarter and attacked the offensive glass. That led to several second- and third-chance points for the Broncos, with Joe Canelas leading the way. The senior had 10 of his game-high 18 points in the first quarter, including two 3-pointers, and Alvirne put up 23 points against Merrimack in the first eight minutes. "The rim just felt really big," Canelas said. "I came out hot and if I’m feeling hot, I’m just going to keep shooting. Coming out strong, putting up 71, I think it’s a real good way to start the season." Ryan Weston also had a big game for Alvirne, hitting four 3-pointers, along with all three foul shots on a 3-point attempt, to finish with 17 points. Cole Zimmerman also had 11 points, including a 3, as the Broncos had eight 3-pointers as a team. "I think everyone is going to have their nights," Canelas said. "I think we have six or seven guys who can put up 20 (points) and I don’t know if a lot of teams have that. I think it’s going to be a different player most nights, it just depends on the night." One thing that also comes with the team chemistry the Broncos have is the ability to speak honestly about how they're performing. So when Merrimack went on a run to end the first half, cutting a 14-point Alvirne lead down to just six, the players didn't wait for Edwards to get into the locker room. "I think they got on each other more than I did," the coach said. "They started trying to do too much themselves. When is gets really tight, we have to rely more on each other. That’s when we really have to rely on each other. They have to trust each other in those situations. Third quarter, that first run we made, they started realizing it." The Broncos opened the third with a 12-2 run and never looked back, leading 53-35 at the end of three quarters. "Coach was pretty fired up in the locker room," Canelas said. "We came out with fire. He knows we have a lot more than that, that we’re better than that. "In the second quarter, we kind of lost our intensity on defense. Then in the second half, we kept it going the whole half and I think that made the difference. We didn’t let up."