It’s back! America’s favorite listicle, The Top 10. There are many lists and polls and power polls, but those are all garbage, and this one rocks. Also, I’m very humble.

The Top 10 is brought to you by TJ’S in Portsmouth! My absolute favorite spot in Portsmouth to catch a game. Tell Bethany that McIsaac sent you.

 

 

10. FREE THROWS

“Layups, Free throws, and great defense” – Dave Smith

Exeter didn’t have a field goal in the 4th quarter vs BG, but went 13 of 17 from the line, and that was the difference in a 56-50 win over the Cardinals. This is an unscientific survey, but I think about 100000% of games played in March come down to who can execute from the FT line

9. CENTRAL WON THE CITY GAME DESPITE ME RUNNING INTO DANNY BRYSON THURSDAY

OR MAYBE BECAUSE OF IT? I bumped into Coach Bryson at a noodle place in Manchester on Thursday afternoon, but Memorial bumped into a Central team that could be a tough out if they’re able to make the D1 playoffs. Central got a much-needed win, 63-51, but that noodle place was a 10/10, so I feel like Coach Bryson was a winner too.

 

8. LIAM JOHNSTON MESSED AROUND AND HAD A TRIPLE DOUBLE

22 points, 11 boards and 10 dimes in a statement win over Concord to get the Blackbirds to 10-6 heading into the final week of the season. – Keene is battling for the 8 seed, and that would be huge for the Blackbirds, because nobody wants to make that trip in round 1, both because Keene is essentially in Ohio, and then you have to face a darn good Blackbird team once you get there.

 

7. MY PHONE HAS BEEN REFUSING TO CHARGE AND IT MAKES ME HOMICIDAL

The first world problems that make me want to drive off a bridge the most:

-       Car issues

-       Buying heating oil

-       PHONE ISSUES

How am I supposed to live my life without checking Instagram every 10 seconds? What about all the spam emails from presidential campaigns? I CAN’T OPEN THEM THE SECOND I GET THEM IF I’M ALWAYS AT 43%!!!!!! HOW CAN I LIVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVE?!?!?!?!

 

I might need a minute here

 

 

6. THE CAMPBELL GIRLS GAVE IT A HECK OF AN EFFORT

 

But man is it tough to beat Conant. Silas Bernier put the team on her back for the Orioles until fouling out, and then  Elizabeth Gonyea picked up the baton, as Conant got back to the Final 4 in D3 with a 59-53 win. Karleigh Schultz and company should be proud though, not many teams can say they put a scare into the Orioles

 

5. HANOVER’S WIN AT CONVAL

The Cougars had won 31 straight during the regular season, until Hanover raced past the Cougars in the 4th quarter to cement their status as a D2 Top dog. I think there are 6 teams that are good enough to be in the final 4, and it’s entirely possible we could get a Hanover Lebanon matchup in Durham, which would rule.

 

4. CORONAVIRUS

Covid-19 is so hot in the streets right now.  Am I supposed to wear a mask? Wash my hands more? Not grow a beard? (Beards are gross so that’s not an issue). All I know is I have a kid scheduled to go to Italy in April, and we’ve been paying for this trip for 2 years so if some stupid virus ends up costing me money, I’m gonna fight it. Can you fight a virus? We’ll find out.

 

3. NHTI IN 2 OT’S WEARS THE CROWN AGAIN

Paul Hogan and the NHTI Lynx are the YSCC Champs again after a 2 OT win over Vermont Tech. J’Quavious Thurmond, who is now on my all-time all-name team, lead the way with 29 points and 16 boards, and the Lynx are headed to the Nationals

 

2. BROOKE CARLSON FOR 3

In a rock fight of a quarterfinal game, Brooke Carlson’s 3 for the Hopkinton Hawks sent them to the Final 4, and Lance Legere into hysterics. It was a valiant title defense for the defending champion Monadnock, but it’s the Hawks that will be dancing at Keene State.

 

1. MY BABY BOY

BIG DAD ENERGY ENGAGED: One day you’re holding your kid like a football, the next you’re watching him defeat his best friend and odds on favorite in the KO round of the NHIAA individual bowling tournament to get to the Final Four. Yes, you have to deal with me bragging about Cam McIsaac in the Top 10 again, the kid’s a Sophomore and got all the way to the Stepladder portion of the tourney before losing to eventual Champion Jake Howell of Goffstown. God help you all if he wins the whole thing in the next two years (He’ll be one of the favorites next year!)

 

 

ALSO RECEIVING VOTES: Rewatching The League at work is dangerous but I like to live dangerously, Can Dover get in the playoffs?, MY ST. LOUIS BATTLEHAWKS are dominating the XFL

 

Justin McIsaac writes the Top 10 every week (usually). He is the 2018 & 2019 NSMA NH Sportscaster of The Year.  He has 1,000 jobs, including radio color commentary for UNH Football, Producer of "NH Today with Jack Heath", HS play by play for MOSN, The McIsaac On Sports Network, college play by play for Dartmouth, St Anselm’s, UNE, Harvard, and whoever else will cut the check. Follow him on Twitter: @justin_mcisaac