Winter Sports Notebook: Derryfield girls basketball ready for a challenge in D2 this season

It'll be on the record as a season-opening loss, but the Derryfield School girls basketball team got what coach Courtney Cheetham wanted last Friday against Hollis Brookline.

For 32 minutes, the Cougars were in a competitive basketball game, something that wasn't always the case a year ago.

Last season, Derryfield was 16-2 in Division IV in the regular season and reached the championship game, where the Cougars fell to Concord Christian, the only team in the division to beat them. In fact, most of the Cougars' games a year ago were decided well before the end, and for this year, they made a big decision to try to change that.

Not only did the Cougars jump up a division, they went up two to Division II, not just for more competition, but also to cut down on travel time to away games.

"Sports is about so much more than just winning championships," Cheetham said. "It’s about teaching accountability, learning how to work hard, finding balance between pushing yourself, having success, and reaching your maximum potential.

"To me, when you play in this division, you have to compete every night. Whether or not we win or lose, I mean I want to win, don’t get me wrong, but I want to force kids into a situation where they have no other choice but to compete."

That ended up being the situation against the Cavaliers, as the Cougars fell behind 10-0 in the first four minutes of the game. They spent the rest of the game clawing their way back in, finally taking a one-point lead with just over five minutes to play.

The lead was short-lived, as HB hit a couple of shots in response and then made it free throws down the stretch for a 51-42 win.

Cavs coach Bob Murphy was impressed with what he saw from the Cougars and felt it will be good for the division to have a team like Derryfield in the mix.

"It has to be," he said. "They’ll beat a lot of people. It’s only going to help their program. They have the same schedule we have. They’re going to beat a lot of those teams out there. They’ve got a couple of really good players. I’m glad we caught them at this point of the season."

Derryfield has had to learn how to play without last year's D4 Player of the Year, Elyse Ngenda, who transferred to the New Hampton School. Sophomore Tia Ferdinando led the Cougars' offense against HB, scoring 15 points and junior Abby Fournier, a new addition for Derryfield this season, was also in double figures with 11.

"I think what is so nice about our team, on any given night, someone can do that," Cheetham said. "That’s what is so nice. We can have a balance attack and try to ride what’s working, and hopefully, it’s more people on more than one night.

"I want these guys to compete every night and that’s what we’re looking for."

Derryfield will host its first game as a D2 member on Tuesday, when Manchester West comes in for a 6:30 p.m. varsity start.

Wrestling: Cavs off to strong start

HB opened up its season with a 58-24 win over Alvirne in the first dual meet of the year and then went on to finish first at the 30th Milford/Souhegan Invitational, winning by more than 40 points.

Against the Broncos, the Cavs got pins from Gavin Turcotte (113 pounds), Caden Bruseo (120), Marty Burns (132), Daniel Frixione (138), Owen Damon (195) and John McCole (220). HB also got a major decision from Jacob Critchfield (152).

HB had three individual champions at last Saturday's tournament, as Jameson Keller (106), Bruseo and Ethan Strauss (285) each finished first. Ryan Sutton (113) and McCole each came in second while Turcotte, Robert Bobocea (120), Burns, Frixione and Critchfield all came in third.

Marshall Bateman (160) and Damon each played fourth and John Sommer (170) came in sixth.

HB goes to Manchester West on Wednesday for a 7 p.m. start and then will host the Nor'Easter Invitational on Saturday.

Football: Coaches announced for CHaD All-Star Game

Head coaches were named for the two all-star teams for the 2023 CHaD NH East-West High School All-Star Football Game, with Londonderry's Jimmy Lauzon once again leading the East and Merrimack's Kip Jackson serving the same role for the West.

Lauzon has been the head coach for Team East for the last three games and had been picked for the role in 2020 before that game was cancelled due to COVID-19. He was also an assistant coach for the all-stars from 2016-18.

Jackson served as an assistant coach for Team West in each of the last two games and will be leading the all-star team for the first time.

Rosters for each team will be announced soon for the game, which is scheduled for 6 p.m. on June 23 at Saint Anselm College.