Jaffrey – A student-athlete at Conant High School died in a car crash yesterday, his teammates learning of the tragedy after winning a game in an annual holiday basketball tournament.

According to state police, Stephen Record, 16, of Jaffrey died from injuries sustained in an motor vehicle accident that occurred at approximately 3:20 p.m. on Route 12 in Troy.

Principal John Barth said last night, "It was a real, big shock. It’s a tough time right now."

Barth said he first noticed the absence of a player or two on the bench as the game was concluding at Keene State College. The game began at 7 p.m. while the accident occurred in the late afternoon.

Barth said the boys’ basketball team will not play its game tonight, opting for a forfeit out of respect.

Cheshire County Attorney Peter Heed, whose office is investigating the accident, called the crash "a real tragedy," noting the roads were almost impassable at the time.

Before the holiday break, the Conant basketball team won its first game of the season, coming off back-to-back state championships and a 42-game winning streak. But such records are insignificant at a time like this, said Dan Whitney, chairman of the school board.

"It’s rippling through the community," he said. "It’s going to be very hard to find somebody who was not touched (by this)."

Conant High School has approximately 484 students.

Barth said the district’s crisis counseling team would be mobilized to help students and staff. Students return to class Wednesday.

Record was a passenger in a vehicle travelling southbound on Route 12 , driven by Conant student Mackenzie Griffin, 16, of Jaffrey, which collided with a vehicle travelling northbound driven by Darren Senecal, 23, of Winchendon, Mass.

Both Griffin and Senecal were injured in the crash along with Senecal’s passenger, Mark Senecal, 50, of Winchendon. The three were transported to Cheshire Medical Center in Keene.

A third vehicle traveling northbound was also involved. It was driven by Penny Thomas, 17, of Rindge, with Martha Thomas, 48, and Jesslyn Thomas, 19, both of Rindge also in the vehicle. They were not injured, according to state police.

Heed said the Senecals are related as are the Thomases, but he did not know the relationships.

The accident is being investigated by the Manchester Police Department and Heed’s office. Heed said the Manchester police are investigating because the driver involved is related to a state police officer in Troop C which covers Cheshire County.

Heed said no charges are currently contemplated but the investigation is not complete until the Manchester Police Department makes a recommendation.

-- Staff reporter Garry Rayno contributed to this story.