Nashua North boys basketball spreads ball around in win over Alvirne

HUDSON – This was a collective team win.

The Nashua High School North boys basketball team saw four players score in double figures, as the Titans utilized strong shooting from the floor and foul line, along with a tenacious defensive mindset, during an impressive 65-55 road win against Alvirne on Friday evening.

Sophomore guard Curtis Harris did it all for the Titans (4-1), as he tallied 16 of his game-high 19 points in the second half, including 10 in the fourth. His on-ball defense was stifling, forcing many turnovers, and he connected on a pair of 3-pointers and drained nine crucial free throws.

North shared the ball well all night, and other noteworthy performances came from guards Brenden Choate (15 points, 3-pointer), Joshua Lentz (13 points, three 3-pointers) and Nathan Kane (10 points, 3-pointer).

“Every coach strives for the balance that we got (Friday),” said Titans coach Steve Lane. “I do not care who scores. All I know is that we were plus-10 on the scoreboard, and I am proud of the kids for that. Any road win in Division I is important.”

Senior forward Joe Canelas led the way for the Broncos (3-3) with a team-high 14 points, while senior guard Jamie Bertrand chipped in with 13 points, including three treys.

North went on two crucial runs in the game, including a 14-0 spurt in the first quarter, and the Titans opened the third on a 13-4 run after the Broncos’ made it a three-point game at halftime.

“We played together as a team very well,” said Titans’ sharpshooter Lentz. “After halftime, they were creeping back in the game a little bit so we had to push up the tempo, spread out the defense and hit open shots. Coach told us to shoot open shots with confidence, and we had a lot of good passes and shots.”

Canelas put Alvirne up 2-0 on a layup 15 seconds into the first quarter, and then North announced its arrival with a 14-0 spurt, changing the whole complexion of the game. Harris started the run with a left-baseline 3, which put the visitors in the lead for good, and then Lentz cashed in on a three-ball from the right wing. A foul shot by junior guard Chukweuemeka Okorie ended the run, as North held a 14-2 lead with 2:58 left in the first.

The visitors took a 16-8 advantage into the second quarter, but the Broncos began to find a rhythm in their half-court offense, and a right-baseline three-ball by Bertrand with 25 seconds left in the second frame cut the Titans’ lead down to 23-20 heading into intermission.

North delivered the first punch in the second half, pushing the lead up to 36-24 with 4:10 left in the third behind five points apiece by Lentz and Kane, while Harris drilled a right-wing 3 during the push.

Lentz drilled a left-baseline 3-point shot with seven seconds left in the third, and then Broncos junior forward Meshack Mugariri banked in a jumper at the buzzer, but the Titans still held a 48-35 lead heading into the fourth.

Alvirne appeared like it might have one more run left in the tank, as a driving layup by junior forward Davonte Mckoy-Sophos cut Nashua’s lead down to 54-47 with 2:50 left on the clock, prompting Lane to take a timeout. With 2:17 left in the game, Harris made the play of the night, tallying a steal at half court, and then bolting for the rim and absorbing contact during an old-fashioned three-point play, pushing the lead back up to double figures.

“Curtis is a great defender and he is very clutch in late-game situations,” Lentz said. “He always has his head in the game and he is always there for us.”

During the final two minutes, the Broncos were not able to get closer than eight points, as Harris drilled five crucial foul shots to seal the deal.

North and Alvirne will both be back in action on Tuesday as the Titans will host Dover at 6:30 p.m. and the Broncos will travel to Londonderry for a 7 p.m. start.