Manchester Central boys basketball advances to final four with win over Nashua South

MANCHESTER - After upsetting on Manchester school in the first round of the Division I playoffs, the Nashua High School South boys basketball team tried to upset another on Saturday.

While the No. 13 Panthers were within four points early in the fourth quarter, it was No. 5 Manchester Central that pulled off the 61-46 victory over South.

Postgame Central coach Dave Keefe speaking on his team stated, “From a seven-win season, to double that, to now have 15 wins, and now have a 5 p.m. bus to Durham on Wednesday," Central coach Dave Keefe said. "I am proud of this team.”

Central (15-5) did not lead throughout, with South (8-12) taking a lead before an early Central timeout. Providing an early punch for South was senior center Clayton Medling, who finished the game with eight points, but his four early points gave South a 6-1 lead.

After South’s early lead, Central responded and took a 16-8 lead after one. Leading the way in the first was Ding Niyang, who had five points in the first, and eight for the game.

South was able to cut the lead to five points by halftime, when Ricky Mercado starting getting going by attacking the basked. Mercado followed up his 28-point performance in the Panthers' triple-overtime win over Memorial with 13 to lead South. But South was 7 for 16 from the foul line in the first half, failing to capitalize on a great opportunity.

“It is unfortunate that foul shots and foul trouble have been the negative identity of this team all season," South coach Nate Mazerolle said. "Having to switch for offense for defense has turned the end of our bench into Grand Central Station.”

The second half is when Central’s offense took over. Leading the way was point guard Antone Revere, who finished the game with 19 points, 17 of those coming in the second half. After an 11-2 run to at the end of the third Central took a 42-30 lead into the fourth.

After a 3 from South point guard Alex Amigo with 6:15 remaining, Central led 48-44. But South’s foul trouble and limited bench finally wore down, with Revere and Yansel Reyes able to get to the basket and get to the line, securing the victory for the Little Green.

Central returns to the D1 semifinals, where the Little Green will face No. 1 Portsmouth at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the University of New Hampshire.