Home » Sports » High School Sports
February 19. 2013 11:20PM
MANCHESTER - The Central High School boys' basketball team's bid for an undefeated regular season ended in an uncharacteristic flurry of turnovers and forced shots Tuesday night.
Nashua South's zone defense frustrated the Little Green and led the Panthers to a 70-62 win that left the top spot in Division I wide open.
Central (15-1) and city rival Trinity each have one loss, while Nashua South (12-3), Spaulding of Rochester and Memorial all have three losses.
"That was our signature win so far, but we don't want it to be our best win," South coach Nate Mazerolle said.
The Little Green turned the ball over 14 times, leading to 22 points for the Panthers.
"I think that was the state of the game," Central coach Doc Wheeler said, "It seemed like whenever we made a little run, we had a meltdown."
The Little Green struggled with Nashua South's zone defense, going without a field over the final four minutes of the second quarter as they went into the halftime break down 35-24. They got to within four late in the third quarter, but turned the ball over twice, leading to four points by South's Travis Knight (14 points).
Nashua led 57-45 after three quarters and never led the lead get under six in the final quarter.
Tim Preston led Nashua South with 27 points, 18 in the first half.
"I think he hurt us the worst," Wheeler said.
The Panthers sealed the win by making nine of 11 free throws in the final two minutes.
Troy Pelletier led Central with 27, while Brett Hanson and Tyler Kelly had 10 each.
Central went 0-for-4 from the field - including a pair of rejections by South center Jack Preston - and turned the ball over three times to end the first half. The only points the Little Green had were a pair of free throws by Pelletier.
On the other end, Central was struggling to stop Preston. The junior had 18 points in the first half, including a 3-pointer off the dribble to end the first quarter and put the Panthers up 17-14.
In a half where the possessions were long, the defense grinding and the turnovers surprisingly high, Central held South to three points over the first four and half minutes of the second quarter to tie the game at 20-all, but a 3-pointer by David Dunham (15 points) sparked a 7-2 run to put the Panthers back in front.
jfennell@unionleader.com
Nashua South deals Central boys first basketball setback
Nashua South's zone defense frustrated the Little Green and led the Panthers to a 70-62 win that left the top spot in Division I wide open.
Central (15-1) and city rival Trinity each have one loss, while Nashua South (12-3), Spaulding of Rochester and Memorial all have three losses.
"That was our signature win so far, but we don't want it to be our best win," South coach Nate Mazerolle said.
The Little Green turned the ball over 14 times, leading to 22 points for the Panthers.
"I think that was the state of the game," Central coach Doc Wheeler said, "It seemed like whenever we made a little run, we had a meltdown."
The Little Green struggled with Nashua South's zone defense, going without a field over the final four minutes of the second quarter as they went into the halftime break down 35-24. They got to within four late in the third quarter, but turned the ball over twice, leading to four points by South's Travis Knight (14 points).
Nashua led 57-45 after three quarters and never led the lead get under six in the final quarter.
Tim Preston led Nashua South with 27 points, 18 in the first half.
"I think he hurt us the worst," Wheeler said.
The Panthers sealed the win by making nine of 11 free throws in the final two minutes.
Troy Pelletier led Central with 27, while Brett Hanson and Tyler Kelly had 10 each.
Central went 0-for-4 from the field - including a pair of rejections by South center Jack Preston - and turned the ball over three times to end the first half. The only points the Little Green had were a pair of free throws by Pelletier.
On the other end, Central was struggling to stop Preston. The junior had 18 points in the first half, including a 3-pointer off the dribble to end the first quarter and put the Panthers up 17-14.
In a half where the possessions were long, the defense grinding and the turnovers surprisingly high, Central held South to three points over the first four and half minutes of the second quarter to tie the game at 20-all, but a 3-pointer by David Dunham (15 points) sparked a 7-2 run to put the Panthers back in front.
jfennell@unionleader.com
- Londonderry blanks Exeter for third shutout in a row - 0
- NHIAA Division I baseball tourney picture about to become clear - 1
- NHIAA Tennis: Bedford is championship-focused - 0
- NHIAA Roundup: Hanover's Cravero hurls another no-hitter - 0
- Memorial boys take city track meet for 10th straight year - 0
- NHIAA Baseball: Pinkerton beats Trinity in key game - 0
- Kevin Gray's H.S. Lacrosse: It's not easy facing West - 0
- NHIAA Roundup: Trinity's Currier stops Nashua North - 0
- Campbell nine edges Hopkinton - 0
John Habib's High School Track: North boys loom as favorites in Division I meet
READER COMMENTS: 0- Intruder, a burglar, and attempted break-in keep Manchester police busy - 0
- Afterschool activities canceled in Jaffrey - 0
- Banker convicted of fraud in scheme involving press maker exec - 0
- Mass. man charged in Nashua hit-and-run - 0
- Bedford's Shapiro hits lacrosse milestone - 0
- NHIAA boxscores, summaries for May 20, 2013 - 0
- Police say man held girlfriend in car, arrest him - 0
- Overtime puts stress on Nashua police budget - 1
- Manchester, church group seek accord on breakfast for homeless - 10
Chester police investigating possible home invasion
READER COMMENTS: 0
Sorry, no question available




