By MIKE WHALEY mwhaley@fosters.com |
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
DOVER — Despite the high level of basketball a number of boys teams exhibited, it was hard to ignore the dominating run to the Division II title by Portsmouth High School.
The Clippers, led by Foster's player of the year Kamahl Walker, won three of their four playoff games by 25 or more points, including the championship in a runaway over a huge Bedford squad, 58-33.
"We weren't too worried about their size," Walker said. "It showed in the regular season and it showed in the championship."
Portsmouth did get one tough game in the playoffs. In the semis, Coe-Brown, led by Dream teamer Darren Doyon, took the Clippers almost to the wire before losing, 55-46.
In Division I, Spaulding won its first playoff game with a 3-point buzzer-beater and upset Nashua North in the quarters to return to the semis for the first time since 2008. Dover upset Salem in the opening round before losing in the quarters to eventual champion Merrimack, which also beat Spaulding.
Prospect Mountain advanced all the way to the final in Division III, losing to Berlin. Defending champ Somersworth won its first-round game, but fell in the quarters on a wild 3-pointer at Hopkinton.
Division IV constant Newmarket found itself back in the semifinals once again.
In Maine, Marshwood won its first-round game over Sanford, but stumbled in the quarters at the Portland Expo to Bonny Eagle.
How the team is picked: Coaches nominate players from their teams and offer their insight for coach of the year and player of the year. The sports staff makes the final selections.
@Brief head:Player of the year
@Cutline nameline:
KAMAHL WALKER
@Cutline nameline readout:Portsmouth
The 5-foot-11 senior guard was the Clippers catalyst and a D-II first team all-state pick. He averaged 20 points a game and led Portsmouth to its fourth appearance in the championship in six years and its second title.
"He was a great on ball defender who disrupted other teams' offense," said coach Jim Mulvey. "He was as good as any guard that has ever played at Portsmouth High School."
Mulvey should know, he played for the Clippers in the early 1970s. Walker will do a PG year at Bridgton Academy in Maine.
@Brief head:Coach of the year
@Cutline nameline:
TIM CRONIN
@Cutline nameline readout:Spaulding
Spaulding is a reputable basketball program because of Tim Cronin, who has quietly made the Red Raiders a competitive player in Division I. Since 2007, Spaulding has been to the quarters twice and to the semis twice with six playoff wins
Spaulding's 13-5 regular-season record is tied for the second best in program history. The Red Raiders beat Manchester West at home on a Luke Roberts buzzer-beating 3-pointer and upended Nashua North on the road in the quarters in OT.
"There's the confidence thing we have, too," said Cronin, whose team started slowly. "As we started to beat teams, there's a certain confidence we've gotten and it's made a difference.
@Brief head:FIRST TEAM
@Cutline nameline:
HARRY RAFFERTY
@Cutline nameline readout:Berwick Academy
The 5-10 senior guard was a two-time Eastern Independent League MVP. He led BA with a 22.2 scoring average, along with seven rebounds and six assists a game. He is the program's scoring leader with 1,705 career points.
"We're losing a lot with him, his leadership" said coach Rory Early. "He's a student of the game and he's passionate about the game. He's a next-level player."
Rafferty will do a postgraduate year at Phillips Exeter Academy.
@Cutline nameline:DARREN DOYON
@Cutline nameline readout:Coe-Brown
The 5-11 forward played five or six inches taller, averaging a double-double for the season at 20 points and 12 boards per game. He was named D-II second team all-state and was one of the main reasons the Bears made such a deep tournament run, which included a pair of upset wins on the road.
"He picked up the gap without (Skyler Mitchell and Chris Laurion)," said coach Dave Smith. "He led us in scoring and rebounding. He gave us a sense of toughness on the boards."
@Cutline nameline:DOMINIC PARADIS
@Cutline nameline readout:Spaulding
The junior forward had a very solid season for the Red Raiders, averaging 14.2 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. He made 71 percent of his foul shots and was named Division I all-state second team. In the playoffs he upped the ante and averaged 16.3 ppg.
"He was our go-to guy on the offensive end," said coach Cronin. "When we needed a basket, especially at the end, he was the guy we would go to inside or outside. His rebounding was outstanding this year."
@Cutline nameline:MATT CROSBY
@Cutline nameline readout:Marshwood
The four-year performer averaged 16 points per game and was named All-SMAA second team. He was the Hawks' leading scorer three years running and finished with 905 career points. He shot 76 percent from the foul line.
"His game just improved," said coach Mike Zamarchi. "He got stronger inside and outside. He was our go-to guy on offense."
@Brief head:SECOND TEAM
@Cutline nameline:
ZACH DROUIN
@Cutline nameline readout:Prospect Mountain
The senior guard led the Timberwolves to the D-III title game and was named first team all-state. He averaged 16 points per game, made 75 percent of his foul shots and led the team with 102 assists and 65 steals.
"Zach really matured this year," said coach Tom Bourdeau. "He played some good ball and didn't let the little things bother him."
@Cutline nameline:ANDREW KAHR
@Cutline nameline readout:St. Thomas Aquinas
The Saints go-to guy averaged 16.5 points per game, led STA to the tournament and was named D-II all-state honorable mention. He was a big reason the Saints upset eventual state champion Portsmouth during the regular season.
"He was our leading scorer," said coach Pat Quinn. "He was a big piece of our offensive attack. He also provided leadership and hard-nosed defense."
@Cutline nameline:JACK VERRILL
@Cutline nameline readout:Marshwood
The 6-foot-5 senior was a great team player and one of the main reasons the Hawks advanced to the quarterfinals of the Western Maine Class A tournament. He averaged 12 points and 9.6 rebounds per game and was second in the SMAA in the latter department.
He was also named All-SMAA second team and has been recruited by the United States Military Academy to play baseball.
"He was our best defensive player," Zamarchi said. "He was tough physically. He controlled the inside post and rebounded."
@Cutline nameline:KOHL MEYERS
@Cutline nameline readout:Kingswood
The senior guard did everything for the Knights. He averaged 16.5 points per game, reached the 1,000-point mark in his final game and was named D-II all-state honorable mention.
"He would bring the ball up the floor, play good defense and was our go-to guy when we needed points," said coach Dan Chick. "He was a really good ballplayer for four years."
@Cutline nameline:BILLY LANE
@Cutline nameline readout:Portsmouth
The senior guard, who did not play as a junior, was integral in the Clippers' run to the title. He averaged 10 points per game and was named D-II all-state second team. Also helped lead the football team to the D-III title.
"He always scored more and played better the bigger the game," coach Mulvey said. "He was our playmaker and probably the best defender in our division."
@Brief head:HIGH HONORABLE MENTION
CHRISTIAN HAWKINS, Newmarket — First-team all-stater in D-IV and led the Mules in scoring (13.8 ppg) and assists (2.2 apg). MIKE LEBLANC, Dover — The junior forward averaged 19 points and nine boards per game and was named D-I all-state honorable mention. MATT ROBBINS, Somersworth — The senior forward led the Hilltoppers to the D-III quarterfinals and was named D-III all-state second team. DEREK JEFFREY, Farmington — He averaged 20.6 points and 12.2 rebounds for the Tigers, earning D-III all-state honorable mention notice.GREGG TSOUGRANIS, Portsmouth — Tough player for the Clippers who averaged 10 points a game in the regular season and upped that number to 13 in the playoffs. LUKE ROBERTS, Spaulding — Spaulding's MVP, he averaged 6.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. The offense went through him.
@Brief head:HONORABLE MENTION
BERWICK — Saul Groman, Logan Bement, Tom Nason;
COE-BROWN — Skyler Mitchell, Tommy Darling, Corey Gerlt;
DOVER — Colin Shaughnessy, Mike Wons;
KINGSWOOD — Zach McKenzie;
MARSHWOOD — Brady Innes, Danny Veino;
NEWMARKET — Christian Filion, Josh Eisfeller;
NUTE — Tyler Rothery;
OYSTER RIVER — Anthony Shea;
PORTSMOUTH — Charlie Duprey, Kyle DiCesare;
PROSPECT MOUNTAIN — Pat Cassidy, Jay Mousseau;
SOMERSWORTH — Jeremy Dognies;
SPAULDING — Connor Noe, PJ Juneau;
ST. THOMAS — Nick Gardner, Jon Nartiff;
TRAIP — Atencio Martin, Matt Clifford.
The Clippers, led by Foster's player of the year Kamahl Walker, won three of their four playoff games by 25 or more points, including the championship in a runaway over a huge Bedford squad, 58-33.
"We weren't too worried about their size," Walker said. "It showed in the regular season and it showed in the championship."
Portsmouth did get one tough game in the playoffs. In the semis, Coe-Brown, led by Dream teamer Darren Doyon, took the Clippers almost to the wire before losing, 55-46.
In Division I, Spaulding won its first playoff game with a 3-point buzzer-beater and upset Nashua North in the quarters to return to the semis for the first time since 2008. Dover upset Salem in the opening round before losing in the quarters to eventual champion Merrimack, which also beat Spaulding.
Prospect Mountain advanced all the way to the final in Division III, losing to Berlin. Defending champ Somersworth won its first-round game, but fell in the quarters on a wild 3-pointer at Hopkinton.
Division IV constant Newmarket found itself back in the semifinals once again.
In Maine, Marshwood won its first-round game over Sanford, but stumbled in the quarters at the Portland Expo to Bonny Eagle.
How the team is picked: Coaches nominate players from their teams and offer their insight for coach of the year and player of the year. The sports staff makes the final selections.
@Brief head:Player of the year
@Cutline nameline:
KAMAHL WALKER
@Cutline nameline readout:Portsmouth
The 5-foot-11 senior guard was the Clippers catalyst and a D-II first team all-state pick. He averaged 20 points a game and led Portsmouth to its fourth appearance in the championship in six years and its second title.
"He was a great on ball defender who disrupted other teams' offense," said coach Jim Mulvey. "He was as good as any guard that has ever played at Portsmouth High School."
Mulvey should know, he played for the Clippers in the early 1970s. Walker will do a PG year at Bridgton Academy in Maine.
@Brief head:Coach of the year
@Cutline nameline:
TIM CRONIN
@Cutline nameline readout:Spaulding
Spaulding is a reputable basketball program because of Tim Cronin, who has quietly made the Red Raiders a competitive player in Division I. Since 2007, Spaulding has been to the quarters twice and to the semis twice with six playoff wins
Spaulding's 13-5 regular-season record is tied for the second best in program history. The Red Raiders beat Manchester West at home on a Luke Roberts buzzer-beating 3-pointer and upended Nashua North on the road in the quarters in OT.
"There's the confidence thing we have, too," said Cronin, whose team started slowly. "As we started to beat teams, there's a certain confidence we've gotten and it's made a difference.
@Brief head:FIRST TEAM
@Cutline nameline:
HARRY RAFFERTY
@Cutline nameline readout:Berwick Academy
The 5-10 senior guard was a two-time Eastern Independent League MVP. He led BA with a 22.2 scoring average, along with seven rebounds and six assists a game. He is the program's scoring leader with 1,705 career points.
"We're losing a lot with him, his leadership" said coach Rory Early. "He's a student of the game and he's passionate about the game. He's a next-level player."
Rafferty will do a postgraduate year at Phillips Exeter Academy.
@Cutline nameline:DARREN DOYON
@Cutline nameline readout:Coe-Brown
The 5-11 forward played five or six inches taller, averaging a double-double for the season at 20 points and 12 boards per game. He was named D-II second team all-state and was one of the main reasons the Bears made such a deep tournament run, which included a pair of upset wins on the road.
"He picked up the gap without (Skyler Mitchell and Chris Laurion)," said coach Dave Smith. "He led us in scoring and rebounding. He gave us a sense of toughness on the boards."
@Cutline nameline:DOMINIC PARADIS
@Cutline nameline readout:Spaulding
The junior forward had a very solid season for the Red Raiders, averaging 14.2 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. He made 71 percent of his foul shots and was named Division I all-state second team. In the playoffs he upped the ante and averaged 16.3 ppg.
"He was our go-to guy on the offensive end," said coach Cronin. "When we needed a basket, especially at the end, he was the guy we would go to inside or outside. His rebounding was outstanding this year."
@Cutline nameline:MATT CROSBY
@Cutline nameline readout:Marshwood
The four-year performer averaged 16 points per game and was named All-SMAA second team. He was the Hawks' leading scorer three years running and finished with 905 career points. He shot 76 percent from the foul line.
"His game just improved," said coach Mike Zamarchi. "He got stronger inside and outside. He was our go-to guy on offense."
@Brief head:SECOND TEAM
@Cutline nameline:
ZACH DROUIN
@Cutline nameline readout:Prospect Mountain
The senior guard led the Timberwolves to the D-III title game and was named first team all-state. He averaged 16 points per game, made 75 percent of his foul shots and led the team with 102 assists and 65 steals.
"Zach really matured this year," said coach Tom Bourdeau. "He played some good ball and didn't let the little things bother him."
@Cutline nameline:ANDREW KAHR
@Cutline nameline readout:St. Thomas Aquinas
The Saints go-to guy averaged 16.5 points per game, led STA to the tournament and was named D-II all-state honorable mention. He was a big reason the Saints upset eventual state champion Portsmouth during the regular season.
"He was our leading scorer," said coach Pat Quinn. "He was a big piece of our offensive attack. He also provided leadership and hard-nosed defense."
@Cutline nameline:JACK VERRILL
@Cutline nameline readout:Marshwood
The 6-foot-5 senior was a great team player and one of the main reasons the Hawks advanced to the quarterfinals of the Western Maine Class A tournament. He averaged 12 points and 9.6 rebounds per game and was second in the SMAA in the latter department.
He was also named All-SMAA second team and has been recruited by the United States Military Academy to play baseball.
"He was our best defensive player," Zamarchi said. "He was tough physically. He controlled the inside post and rebounded."
@Cutline nameline:KOHL MEYERS
@Cutline nameline readout:Kingswood
The senior guard did everything for the Knights. He averaged 16.5 points per game, reached the 1,000-point mark in his final game and was named D-II all-state honorable mention.
"He would bring the ball up the floor, play good defense and was our go-to guy when we needed points," said coach Dan Chick. "He was a really good ballplayer for four years."
@Cutline nameline:BILLY LANE
@Cutline nameline readout:Portsmouth
The senior guard, who did not play as a junior, was integral in the Clippers' run to the title. He averaged 10 points per game and was named D-II all-state second team. Also helped lead the football team to the D-III title.
"He always scored more and played better the bigger the game," coach Mulvey said. "He was our playmaker and probably the best defender in our division."
@Brief head:HIGH HONORABLE MENTION
CHRISTIAN HAWKINS, Newmarket — First-team all-stater in D-IV and led the Mules in scoring (13.8 ppg) and assists (2.2 apg). MIKE LEBLANC, Dover — The junior forward averaged 19 points and nine boards per game and was named D-I all-state honorable mention. MATT ROBBINS, Somersworth — The senior forward led the Hilltoppers to the D-III quarterfinals and was named D-III all-state second team. DEREK JEFFREY, Farmington — He averaged 20.6 points and 12.2 rebounds for the Tigers, earning D-III all-state honorable mention notice.GREGG TSOUGRANIS, Portsmouth — Tough player for the Clippers who averaged 10 points a game in the regular season and upped that number to 13 in the playoffs. LUKE ROBERTS, Spaulding — Spaulding's MVP, he averaged 6.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. The offense went through him.
@Brief head:HONORABLE MENTION
BERWICK — Saul Groman, Logan Bement, Tom Nason;
COE-BROWN — Skyler Mitchell, Tommy Darling, Corey Gerlt;
DOVER — Colin Shaughnessy, Mike Wons;
KINGSWOOD — Zach McKenzie;
MARSHWOOD — Brady Innes, Danny Veino;
NEWMARKET — Christian Filion, Josh Eisfeller;
NUTE — Tyler Rothery;
OYSTER RIVER — Anthony Shea;
PORTSMOUTH — Charlie Duprey, Kyle DiCesare;
PROSPECT MOUNTAIN — Pat Cassidy, Jay Mousseau;
SOMERSWORTH — Jeremy Dognies;
SPAULDING — Connor Noe, PJ Juneau;
ST. THOMAS — Nick Gardner, Jon Nartiff;
TRAIP — Atencio Martin, Matt Clifford.
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