Posts
Comments

WOW!!! An absolutely crazy night on the Granite State hardwood

Mar 12th, 2009 by Hector Longo

Off the top. Mega, mega props to the Londonderry High Lancers.
Coach Jimmy Zorbas’ crew has been through a myriad of injuries, illnesses, bizarre circumstances, etc.
And then the Lancers walk into Manchester Central and cold-caulk the fourth-seeded Little Green of Manchester Central.
Wow, shocker city baby!
I saw David Feinstein and the Lancers just once this year, pushing Salem to the limit and then some.
I know any Zorbas team is tough mentally. I just wasn’t sure this team had the guns to compete with the class teams in Class L.
Shocker!
Maybe the change in quarterfinal venue will suit the Lancers, who’ve stumbled in their UNH debut four straight years.
All of a sudden, it’s No. 13 Londonderry at No. 12 Alvirne for a spot in the semis Wednesday at UNH.

On the other end of the spectrum, we have Team “?” the Pinkerton Astros, who were obliterated by No. 12 Alvirne to end their season with three straight losses.
Upsets happen, sure.
Didn’t Richmond beat Syracuse like seven straight times in a 5 vs. 12 NCAA matchup?
Gonzaga feasted as a 12 seed. So didn’t George Mason.
But for the Stros to fall by 26 … I just left a dent on the table where my jaw dropped on it.
Now, somehow Pinkerton has to replace a two-year starting backcourt tandem of Colby Verge and Beau Cassidy.

As for the one whine from Salem left on this blog here today.
You don’t like the prediction, fellas? Prove me wrong.
Coach Perry’s company line of “no respect” rings on deaf ears here. I’m the one that has picked Salem to challenge Central year after year in the Christmas tournament. I’m the one that gets burned.
I’m the one who had you No. 2 in my Fantastic 4! and I got burned.
So don’t give me this Longo is against Salem stuff. I ain’t buying it. It rings hollow.
Salem did that, making a bold statement by routing Timberlane in the playoff opener.
The Devils are now three wins from some ultra-elite company, which would be a three-peat as state champ.

One note that caught me out of the Timberlane-Salem game was from Owls’ coach Paul Cardone.
He was applauding the efforts of senior Erik Hatton, noting if Hatton didn’t make all-Class L, “it would be a travesty.”
Bold words from Cardone. I couldn’t agree more.
Hatton played his heart out for this team, at times willing the Owls to their first playoff berth in years.
Hatton is hidden a bit by the success of Timberlane rasslin and Timberlane hockey.
I saw the Owls a couple times. He worked his tail off. And he scored at will.
I’m with you coach. 100 percent.

Pelham’s effort was a monster. A monster! To overcome what could be a serious, serious injury to Justin Hojlo and hold off a quality Laconia team was totally impressive.
I apologize to Josh Boissoneault of Pelham, who was clearly an impact player defensively on Wednesday night. Just going back through the game, i realize now I neglected to mention his efforts. He was huge, as were the rest of the Python forwards.
I wish I could say more. To get my full thoughts, you’ll have to read Thursday’s Eagle-Tribune.
Let’s play word Pelham association, though:

J-Ho … A gamer with game.
Stephen Spirou … Courageous beyond his years.
Mike Lombard … Pure winner
Sean Sweeney … A pest, plain and simple. Pelham doesn’t win without him.
Grant Hebert … Underated
Conor McColgan … Beast and banger
EJ Baker … Pest, part two
Todd Kress … Winner. Winner. Winner. Calm. Winner. Did I mention the coach was a winner?
pelham’s crowd … Raucous … Spectacular … on target. With one question, though.
Why did nobody tell the four girls, who chose to don body paint with “P-H-S-!” on their bellies that they were standing out of order?
For at least a long stretch of the game they spelled out: !-P-H-S … Something to work on for the championship game, ladies.

To close out this entry in the blog, I’ve got to give some props out to Sanborn High of Kingston and the Fickers, coach Bob and senior Robby.
This has been a program that floundered in disarray for years. Bob and Robby may have bowed out last night, but the eight-win season is a giant step forward.

Can’t wait till Saturday.
Pelham High goes for a title.
Salem High looks to defend the home court in the quarters.
And Londonderry looks to extend the ride.
Great stuff ahead.
Keep reading The Eagle-Tribune to get your postseason fix.

Posted in Uncategorized | View Comments

  • Fib1106

    Jim Zorbas does more with less than anyone. He's a Lowell guy who brings intensity to every drill his teams do, Thanksgiving to now. Here's hoping the make Final 4 in NH.

    Pinkerton has a make up problem. Sorry. Point to one game they won all year, all year, that was a keeper. Anytime the money was on the line, the Astros were average.

    Salem would finish dead last in the MVC Large. But they win when it counts in their league, so more power to them.

    Pelham is the NH team of the year for our region and it isn't close.

  • Badcopier

    Right on Fibber.
    The only question is this:
    Could Pelham beat Salem at this juncture?

    What say you Hector?
    Head to head and big games have to be your criteria for FInal Fab Four.

    Pinkerton does not have even a single big or clutch win.
    Obviously Central is Number One.

    And great seasons for Greater Lawrence, North Andover and Methuen.
    But not one of them can claim a win over Lawrence, Andover, or Central.

    For that matter, Greater Lawrence, North Andover and Methuen are not as good as Haverhill. The Hillies would beat any of them best of three. Sorry, but true.

    Andover, for all its inconsistency, beat Lawrence, Haverhill (twice), Lowell, Malden, BC High, Brookline, and Salem NH. They gave Brockton and Central good fights.
    Andover is Number Two.

    My question is 3,4,5.
    Lawrence? They beat Salem and Andover.
    Pelham?
    Or Salem?

    My gut says
    1.Central
    2.Andover
    3.Pelham
    4 Lawrence

  • Fib1106

    Central
    Andover
    Pelham
    Lawrence

    BUT IF SALEM OR LONDONDERRY runs the table and wins NH Large, they get the fourth spot instead of Lawrence

  • bighec711

    First off, Pinkerton does have a big win, snapping Salem's 33-game instate win streak at the Blue Devils' house.
    That said, you wonder how that team lost five, now six games in Class L.
    I hate to say it, because I can feel the heat of the blood boiling with Salem, but I think Pelham, with a healthy Justin Hojlo, can run up and down the floor with Salem.
    In the end, yeah, Salem might have one or two more options than the Devils.
    Say Kimball and Jones match what Hojlo and Spirou do … Who's going to match LaRosa's dozen?
    I already respected the Pelham program, to the point where friends … folks in Andover a couple years back and Salem the last couple years … have tormented me for it.
    But in a head-to-head this year, I'd go with Salem over Pelham.

    I think you're both selling Salem a bit short.
    Yes, I'm angry with the Blue Devils for not putting up a better showing at Christmas.
    When they're right, Salem is not the bottom team in the MVC large.
    They're better than that. But!!!!!!!!
    And like one of those “rap guy's girlfriends” (This is a Sir Mix a Lot reference, folks, words from a song, used to be humorous), it's a giant BUT!!! … Salem still has something to prove, just as it did the past two Marches.
    All right Granite State folks. I'm looking for help right now.
    I've got Pelham at 2:30 Saturday at UNH.
    Give me 90 minutes for the game, 45 minutes for postgame interviews puts me at 5:45. I need a good place to pick up a quick sandwich in between.
    Do I:
    a) Find a good sub shop … if it's possible … on the route between Durham and Salem? If so, I need a referral …

    or

    II) Bag that idea and gorge myself pre-Pelham game on the Buffalo wings at Wings your Way on the UNH campus and go straight to Salem.

  • Fib1106

    Salem is not the team it was the past few years.
    Their big men were under rated. Jones and Kimball are solid but got a disproportionate share of credit.
    Does seem like it would be a toss up with Pelham.

    Hector you have done a great job keeping us informed.
    Thanks!
    And one last note on Massachusetts, Lynn English has to be given credit for its incredible tourney run:
    Cambridge Rindge and Latin
    Lowell
    Lexington
    Central Catholic
    Brockton

    And during the year they beat Everett and Lowell. Amazing!!!!!!

  • bballmom

    I think its amazing that in the 7 years Coach Rosinski has coached the Astros, no one comments on the possible NEED FOR CHANGE! They have not raised a championship banner since 1990-its not for the lack of talent that has crossed that court. Coach Rosinski does not know how recognize the talent that is either on the floor or on the bench. He coaches with tunnel vision. They all play as individuals and not as a team. Pinkerton has its STYLE of playing and if you don”t fit that, you sit no matter what talent you could bring to the floor. Most of his kids sit while his Special Six play till exhaustion- THAT does not win championships! Ask any of the other area Class L coaches and I can guarantee they would have loved to have such a talented team- Unfortunately for the Astros, they won” achieve greatness without a great leader.

  • granitom

    Hector,
    The only apples-to-apples is the Christmas Tourney where Salem and The Academy habitually underachieve. Again, two finals appearances combined since the Reagan administration. Have to agree with Fib1106. Who does Salem finish in front of in the MVC Large? Lawrence? No. Lowell? No. We saw them against Andover. Assuming they'd run the table vs. Small, and Dracut and Methuen are toss ups, maybe a split with Haverhill eeks out fifth place but it's highly questionable.

    Mom has a point, except that in 12 of the current 19 dry years at The Academy the present guy wasn't the coach. And it appears that more and more people from Derry and Hampstead are discovering that it's only a 25-30 minute drive to Hampshire Street in Lawrence.

  • Astro Man

    Why hardly and hockey props on this blog? Pinkerton and Timberlane both playing for a state title and barely nothing? Hector are you a hoop homer? The stuff you guys had on the paper on Solloway the other day was aweseome. He's the real deal. Played perfect. GO ASTROS!

  • Badcopier

    Injuries have impacted many teams.
    It will be a shame for Hojlo to come all this way but be too nicked up to play the title game. Here's hoping he can go and be effective.

    Londonderry played its first quarter season decimated. But now they are healthy and much more dangerous.

    Escoto going down changed the Lawrence dynamic. But as is often the case, it gave an opportunity to sophomores who benefitted greatly.

    And Arnold played on one leg at Andover and they never got over the hump.

    Conversely, Central avoided serious hurts, as has Salem.

  • Ahugepinkertonfan

    First off GO P.A. HOCKEY!!! Bballmom… good luck with that. You stated what many have thought for quite a while. Coaching techniques aside, I gotta' believe Rosinski would play any and all talent to win a Class L state title. His rule is two p.f.'s and you're on the bench for the half. He sticks by it and because of that rule any number of athletes off the bench could be placed into a big game. Pinkerton boys hoop has something that needs to be addressed… coaching is one aspect.

  • Anonymous

    The four girls who spelled out P-H-S actually were in order for the first half of the game. The young woman donning the “!” actually wore her shirt for the latter half of the game and then joined back in for the last few minutes, in which they chose to place the “!” at the beginning.

  • kma

    grammar….it's not “a myriad of injuries”…it's “myriad of injuries” look it up…

  • MKA

    grammar…grammar… grammar… and you call yourself a journalist? now wonder you work for the Trib…J A

  • bighec711

    Yeah, MKA, “now wonder” I work for the Trib.

  • bighec711

    Big fella, you look it up. It's an either are acceptable situation big guy. I've got an extra copy of the AP stylebook if you need it.
    Always glad to help.
    H

  • Ahugepinkertonfan

    Ooh No, He's Baaaack… MKA- you don't just insult Hec. with your dribble, you offend all followers of this blog. Say something constructive for once in your blogging career… please. Good luck to Alex and all the Blue Devils tonight!

  • PA07

    I am a former player at Pinkerton and year after year the players lose more respect for rosinski if you only new what goes on in the locker room down below the hackler gym. I learned more about basketball and being a man from the Freshman basketball coach Ed Paladino.

  • bballmom

    I absolutely agree with you PA07! No one respects him and the media only hears what Rosinski tells them-They should live in the shoes of the players for a day-They'd be amazed and not impressed by what these boys endure! My suggestion is have Coach Nagle step up and coach-he is a much better fit and honest man!

blog comments powered by Disqus