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# Goffstown boys basketball moves on to D1 final with win over Nashua North (video)
- URL: https://www.nh-highschoolsports.com/goffstown-boys-basketball-moves-on-to-d1-final-with-win-over-nashua-north-video/
- Published: 2022-02-17T22:45:55.000Z
- Updated: 2022-02-17T22:45:55.000Z
- Description: EXETER - The Goffstown High School boys basketball team doesn't like to focus too much on individuals when looking at its success. But after Wednesday night's Division I semifinal against Nashua North, there was a lot for Grizzlies coach Ryan Cowette to mention. It all added up to No. 3 Goffstown's
- Author: Joe Marchilena
- Tags: Division I, boys basketball, Goffstown, Nashua North, playoffs, slider, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-08-18 04:44

EXETER - The Goffstown High School boys basketball team doesn't like to focus too much on individuals when looking at its success.

But after Wednesday night's Division I semifinal against Nashua North, there was a lot for Grizzlies coach Ryan Cowette to mention.

It all added up to No. 3 Goffstown's first trip to a championship game in 22 years, as the Grizzlies broke away in the third quarter on the way to a 74-58 win over the second-seeded Titans at Exeter High School. Goffstown will face No. 1 Trinity at 10 a.m. Sunday at the University of New Hampshire, the program's first title-game appearance since winning back-to-back Class I titles in 1999-2000.

The Grizzlies (18-3) advanced getting contributions from every player who stepped on the floor, as Aiden O'Connell scored 16 of his game-high 21 points in the second half, helping Goffstown pull away. Mason Blondeau added 15 points while battling foul trouble and Jonah Lopez scored eight of his 12 points in the first half.

At the other end, Ryan Strand helped hold North's Trevor Labrecque to just two points in the first half and Peyton Strickland provided rebounding and defense to go with his nine points off the bench. Rob Baguidy also had nine points, including two 3-pointers in the second half that served as daggers.

"We try not to talk about individuals too much, but Ryan Strand is the best defender in the state of New Hampshire," Cowette said. "The kid is unbelievable. Peyton Strickland protected the rim really well. Jonah Lopez worked his butt off. He’s a really good player, he doesn’t even realize how good he is."

Labrecque finished with 16 points to lead the Titans (17-4) while Jayden Montgomery had 15 points and Derek Finaly added 13 points. Parth Miglani was also in double figures, as he scored eight of his 10 points in the first half.

North kept pace with Goffstown throughout the first half, as Labrecque's lone basket of the opening 16 minutes came with 4.4 on the clock to cut the Grizzlies' lead to 29-24.

"I loved the way we play in general," North coach Steve Lane said. "You’ve got to give the other team credit. They are a machine. They’re skilled, they’re drilled, they make shots, they defend, they rebound. Credit to Goffstown, that’s the bottom line."

The teams traded baskets early in the third quarter, and a free throw by Montgomery made it 37-33 Goffstown with 2:48 left. But O'Connell hit a layup and a 3-pointer on consecutive possessions, starting the Grizzlies on a 12-6 run that put them up 10 points going into the fourth.

"We started to move the ball," Cowette said. "We were talking at halftime, we had a few guys who were trying to do too much at times. We’re at our best when the ball moves. It’s going to find the guy it’s supposed to find and they trust each other."

North got back within eight to start the fourth, but a quick 9-0 run by Goffstown - which featured a 3 and a three-point play by Blondeau and another 3 from Baguidy - gave the Grizzlies a 60-43 lead with 4:45 remaining.

"Their depth wore us down," Lane said. "We needed a few more bodies to contribute. I’m proud of the kids. It was a great effort."