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# Portsmouth boys basketball clamps down on defense in win over Bishop Guertin (video)
- URL: https://www.nh-highschoolsports.com/portsmouth-boys-basketball-clamps-down-on-defense-in-win-over-bishop-guertin-video/
- Published: 2022-02-03T23:05:35.000Z
- Updated: 2022-02-03T23:05:35.000Z
- Description: NASHUA - There is a certain style of play that the Portsmouth High School boys basketball team has become known for over the better part of the last 15 years. Bishop Guertin to see it up close and maybe too personal on Wednesday night. The Cardinals scored 12 seconds into the game and wouldn't see a
- Author: Joe Marchilena
- Tags: Division I, Bishop Guertin, boys basketball, Portsmouth, slider, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-08-18 04:44

NASHUA - There is a certain style of play that the Portsmouth High School boys basketball team has become known for over the better part of the last 15 years.

Bishop Guertin to see it up close and maybe too personal on Wednesday night.

The Cardinals scored 12 seconds into the game and wouldn't see another shot fall for more than nine minutes, as the Clippers played their physical, methodical brand of basketball to perfection in a 41-32 win in a Division I contest.

The teams combined for just nine points in the first quarter and Portsmouth (12-5) led 16-12 at halftime. Jack Radcliffe led the way for the Clippers with 12 points, Carmine Zingariello had 11 points and Adrian Degnan added six, as each hit two 3-pointers, most of which answered a basket by Bishop Guertin (13-4).

"Our defense was incredible," Portsmouth coach John Mulvey said. "Offense could be better, but defense, if we play like that, we can beat a lot of teams. That’s a very good, well-coached team. I’m very proud of the guys. We had a good game plan, we followed it well and we rebounded well. There’s a big size advantage for them but we did a good job of boxing out and rebounding."

Luke Anderson and Bobby Canaway each had eight points to lead Bishop Guertin while Matt Santosuosso added seven points and JAvari Ellison had six. But the Cardinals struggled from the field, couldn't increase the tempo to where they wanted it and attempted just one free throw on the night.

"I asked everyone after the game, who missed a shot that you would normally make, and when six hands go up, that’s the game," Bishop Guertin coach John Fisher said. "We missed layups. Guys who got to shoot their favorite 3-point shot, it didn’t go in. We’re used to hitting those. I told the guys, I’m not mad. They played hard, they held them to 41 points. When Portsmouth has a lead, they know how to keep a lead. They are the experts at that ploy."

Bishop Guertin's easiest bucket of the night may have been the first one. After winning the tip, Ellison got the ball on the block and made a move to get a layup, making it 2-0 just a dozen seconds into the game.

Portsmouth would score the next nine points before Canaway scored all six points on a 6-2 run by the Cardinals that made it 12-8 with 5:33 left in the second quarter. It was still a four-point game at the half, but the Clippers were able to get separation in the third, taking their largest lead, 28-17, on a pair of free throws by Elliot Miles with 2:40 remaining in the quarter.

A putback by Canaway just before the buzzer made it 28-19 going into the fourth.

"I think it was just more defense (in the second half)," Mulvey said. "It seemed like every time they did score, we came back and hit a big shot, whether it was a layup inside or a big 3\. I think that showed some character and toughness, to come back after they hit a 3\. I always think everyone is coming back."

The Cardinals were able to get the lead down to seven points early in the fourth, but couldn't get any closer.

"Our shooters didn’t hit their shots," Fisher said. "We had a great practice (Tuesday) and every once in a blue moon, you have these. This is different than last year, but we lost at this point last year. The guys used that as motivation to come back."