Monthly Archives: February 2022

(Durham NH) “It was a grind of a game,” said UNH coach Bill Herrion at the post-game press conference.

The Wildcats (14-12) had enough in this close/tough game to defeat Binghamton, 66-62, on Saturday afternoon at Durham.

Both teams entered the game tied at 8-8 in the American East Conference. 

Vermont stands alone at the top of the AEC with only one loss, but second place is hardly assured for anyone.

“I don’t spend a lot of time looking at the standings,” said Coach Herrion, “but I admit knowing that each game is big.  We’re all trying to survive.  The league has never been bunched the way it is this year.”

Evenly matched teams have trouble putting consecutive points together.  And that was the case today.

There were six lead changes, and the score was tied nine times.  Breathing room was non-existent!

Things went the Wildcats way after the last tie (50-50) with 4:19 remaining in the game.

The sought-after string of consecutive offense happened as UNH scored seven straight points.

A Nick Guadarrama jump shot.  A Nick Johnson jumper (his only basket of the game, assisted by Nick Guadarrama).  And a three from Marco Foster.  The Wildcats had separation (7 points) with 1:49 remaining.

The Bearcats (11-15) stopped the run with a three, but Marco was back with another three returning the margin to seven points with fifty-four seconds left.

“Marco made two enormous three’s,” said Coach Herrion.  “He had five against NJIT and four today.  He’s a big-time shooter.”

That last-minute three was discussed at the press conference because there was plenty of shot-clock left in what was then a four-point game.

“When you have an elite 3-point shooter you have to let them go when there’s space,” said Coach Herrion.

I asked Marco about the two shots. “It felt great to make them,” he said.  “You want to hit the big one.  You stay positive.”

Regarding the shot he took with time left on the shot clock in the last minute, he smiled and said, “I was very happy that one went in.”

The Wildcats hit six straight free throws after Marco’s three to secure the victory.

The final regular-season game is Tuesday night at the Tsongas Arena vs UMass Lowell.

“It all comes down to playing well in March,” said Coach Herrion.  “We’re looking to get a home game in the tournament.  We’re 10-3 at home.  We’ve had a very good year here.”

Coach Herrion gave an explanation as to why, beyond Vermont, so many of the rest of the teams are so competitive.  “Teams are recruiting out of the transfer portal,” he said.  “Therefore, teams can reload quickly.  That’s why very few freshmen play.”

Christian Hinckson had a big game for Binghamton finishing with a double/double (fifteen points and fourteen rebounds).

UNH’s Nick Guadarrama had an impressive stat line: 16 points, 7-for-12 shooting, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals.

“Nick was terrific the whole game,” said Coach Herrion.  “He was good around the basket where we didn’t have much of an inside presence.”

Marco Foster finished with fourteen points while teammate Blondeau Tchoukulegno added thirteen points.

Binghamton lost to UNH, 69-60, two weeks ago at Binghamton. 

After that game, BU coach Levell Sanders cited the 13 offensive rebounds which led to 14 second-chance points as a key in the loss.

Things didn’t improve too much for the Bearcats this time around.  UNH had 11 offensive rebounds that led to 15 second-chance points.

Vermont has now won the AEC six straight years.

Today was Senior Day at UNH.  Tayler Mattos, Qon Murphy, Nick Guadarrama, and Jayden Martinez were honored.

Jayden had ten points today.  He needs twelve more to reach 1000 points.  Maybe at Lowell on Tuesday?

Thanks again to Mike Murphy for enabling my visit to this game.

(The pictures will enlarge.)

(Amesbury MA) Ray Cuevas was impressive.

The Ipswich junior added thirty-eight points tonight to the thirty-two he had two days ago against Manchester-Essex.

“Our game plan was to try to take away #24 (Ray Cuevas),” said Amesbury coach Tom Comeau afterwards, “but it was tough to do that.”

The Indians (10-8) found ways to succeed defensively in the third quarter and that was where they gained the permanent separation that led to a, 78-69, victory on Saturday night.

Amesbury has now clinched a berth in the MIAA post-season tournament.

Matt Welch had sixteen points in the first half but went out early with a broken nose at the start of the second half.

Matt’s departure opened offensive opportunities for senior Cam Keliher who had some of his own health issues.

“Last night at practice I had some back spasms,” said Cam.  “It was pretty rough this morning and I didn’t think I would be able to go tonight.  But I got it treated. I didn’t want to miss a chance to qualify for the tournament.”

The Indians trailed, 37-34, at halftime.  A Rocco Kokinacis layup tied things at 46-46 with 4 ½ minutes left in the third quarter.

The next four minutes, Amesbury shut down the Tigers completely while Cam went on a nine-point scoring run.

“Cam took over like he can,” said Coach Comeau.

First there was a three and then a free throw.  Next was a steal that led to a layup followed by another three.  When that dust settled Ipswich was behind, 55-46, and never fully recovered.

Ray Cuevas went back to finding ways to score after that (17 points) but Amesbury on this evening displayed assorted weapons on offense that kept Ipswich from getting within one possession the rest of the way.

Cam ended up with a nineteen-point second half and twenty-three points for the game.

“We just gave up too many points,” said Ipswich coach Alan Laroche post-game.  “They had some guys who stepped up for them in the second half.  There were big three’s at the end.”

Rocco Kokinacis (9 points) and Matt Heidt (7 points) each had three-pointers for Amesbury in the final four minutes of playing time.

What a difference a month makes.  On January 14^th, Amesbury defeated Ipswich, 80-59, in a game that the Indians led by twenty at halftime.

Ipswich’s most impressive win this season was two days ago when they defeated Manchester-Essex.  The Hornets had won nine straight and were undefeated (9-0) in the Cape Ann League, but the Tigers changed that.

“Ipswich is a real good team,” said Coach Comeau. 

Junior Toby Adams, who had nineteen against ME, had fourteen points tonight against Amesbury.

The Tigers (7-10) had an eight-point lead (13-5) in the first quarter.  In the same quarter the score was tied six times including at the end (19-19).

“24 (Ray Cuevas) was killing us in the first half,” said Cam.  “We pressed up on him and double-teamed him.  He’s a good player.”

Coach Laroche informed me that Ray has received some interest from several post-graduate schools. “Without a doubt, he can play at the next level,” he added.

“Ray is learning how to get by guys,” said Coach Laroche, “and how to attack the corners.  He’s also finding open guys when he needs to.”

Coach Comeau: “When Matty went out the rest of the team stepped up, especially Cam.  To me, Cam should be the player-of-the-year in the Cape Ann League.”

Amesbury   19   15   21   23   =   78

Ipswich        19   18   11   21   =   69

(The pictures will enlarge.)