Geffrard leading Souhegan boys basketball up the D2 standings

Even when things haven't worked out on the court for Andersen Geffrard, he's been finding ways to make sure they don't stay that way for long.

Geffrard had no one between him and the basket when he got the ball in the post in the third quarter of Monday night's game between the Souhegan and Manchester West high school boys basketball teams.

The Souhegan senior quickly transferred the ball from his right hand to his left, but his shot bounced over the basket and came down on the other side, where West's Daniel Jenkins-Mitchell grabbed the rebound.

As Jenkins-Mitchell looked to make a pass, Geffrard came up behind the West junior, and got the ball back after knocking it free. He immediately put up a shot as he was fouled by Jenkins-Mitchell, and moments later, completed a three-point play in what turned into a 73-45 win for the Sabers.

Geffrard finished with a game-high 24 points, the second of three straight games in which he finished with more than 20 points. In last Friday's win over Pelham, he dropped 35 points on the Pythons, and in perhaps Souhegan's biggest win of the year Wednesday against Coe-Brown, he scored 21.

"You’d be surprised what a 35-point game will do for your confidence," Souhegan coach Peter Pierce said. "He lit it up (Friday at Pelham). His decision making Friday night was flawless, so he’s gaining more confidence in his game."

It's no coincidence that as Geffrard has heated up, the Sabers (6-4) have hit their stride, winning of five of their last six games and averaging 71 points per game along the way.

"Usually, I take a lot of jump shots, but I’ve been taking it to the rack and finishing," Geffrard said as to what's been working for him. "I just keep doing it and have my teammates find me up the floor. They started collapsing on me and I was able to dish to open teammates."

The win streak is coming at a good time, as Souhegan has a handful of games in a row, including a three-game week that ends with Windham on Friday (3-5). The Sabers then head to Kearsarge (4-4) on Tuesday and ConVal (2-5) next Saturday before finishing the year with four of their final five games at home.

"We go from halfway through the season to almost three-quarters through in about a 10-day stretch," Pierce said. "This week, by virtue of the cancellations earlier in the season, there are a number of programs who have three-game weeks. I think we’ll get some clarity of the pecking order a little more."

The players realize how important each game is if they want to end up having the kind of season Geffrard says they want to have.

"I think we’re in a good spot," he said. "Coach says focus on one game and that’s what we do. Right now we’re on a big run, hopefully we can keep it up."