Today we are announcing the match-ups and the venue for the First Annual New Horizons Pre-season Basketball Jamboree presented by New Hampshire Sportspage and Alvirne High school.
 

The idea behind the event is to have eight of the top teams from Division I New Hampshire high school basketball face off against eight of the top Division II and Division III programs in a game their fans can attend like a regular season game. This is a two day event that will raise money for the New Horizons charity and serve as the tip-off event for the 2013-14 boys basketball season.

 Teams and the match-ups were selected by Kevin Bonney, Pete Tarrier and myself while Dave Keefe of Trinity, Seth Garon of Alvirne and Tim Goodridge of Merrimack helped in planning the event.

 Admission will be $5 to attend the block of games as Division I’s best takes on the rest of the state.

 Now on to the match-ups;
 
 Games to be played Friday night December 6th at Alvirne High school
 
 5 pm: Salem vs. Windham
 A local rivalry as Rob McLaughlin’s Blue Devils square off with Todd Steffanides’ Windham Jaguars in the event’s opening match-up.

 6:30 pm: Bishop Guertin vs. Bishop Brady
 The runner-up in Division I last season takes on a Bishop Brady team that will be among the favorites in Division II. Brothers Jourdain & Joe Bell lead Mark Yeaton’s Giants against Jim Migneault’s talented BG team led by John Noon, Jack Zimmerman and point guard CJ Boykin.

 8 pm:  Merrimack vs. Pelham
 Two teams that will be among the top 5 pre-season teams in their division square off as Eric Gendron leads the Tomahawks against sophomore Keith Brown and Pelham. Tim Goodridge’s team also features shooting guard Austin Franzen while Matt Regan’s Pythons have a wealth of talent that includes Jake Vaiknoras and Ryan Frank.
 
Games to be played on Saturday December 7th at Alvirne High School
 
 12 noon:  Alvirne vs. Newport
 One of the better basketball programs in Division I squares off against a Newport Tigers team featuring Players’ Lounge member Andrew Houde that will be one of the favorites to win the Division III title. Seth Garon’s Broncos feature sharp shooter Tyler Brown while Steve Lavolpicelo’s Tigers will feature guard Spencer Coronis.

1:30 pm:  Spaulding vs. Lebanon
 Two final four teams square off in the second game of the afternoon. Tim Cronin’s Red Raiders will be led by big men Charlie Nevejans and  Anthony Ciccotelli as they begin their quest for a third consecutive trip to UNH. Keith Matte’s Raiders will feature a talented young team featuring Austin Whaley, Dominick Morrill and Austin Pelletier.

3 pm:  Bedford vs. Portsmouth
 The two teams that met in the 2012 Division II title game renew acquaintances as Mike Fitzpatrick’s Bulldogs square off with Jim Mulvey’s Clippers.  Bedford will be a final four contender and is led by their backcourt of Taylor Grande and Cameron Meservey. Portsmouth will be led by players’ lounge members Pat Glynn & Donovan Phanor and are an annual threat to win the Division II title.

4:30 pm:  Manchester Central vs. Conant
 In what may end up being the most talked about game of the weekend the Big Green of Central take on the best basketball program in the state when they clash with the Orioles. Doc Wheeler’s Central team will boast a backcourt as good as any in the state behind Dawson Dickson, Brett Hanson and Mike Plentzas. Eric Saucier’s Conant squad meanwhile will feature on of the best players in the state in lounge member Rob O’Brien and teammate Eli Hodgson.

6 pm:   Trinity vs. Pembroke Academy
 Closing out the event will be one of the most talked about games all season long as the two defending champions square off. Dave Keefe’s Pioneers are loaded and feature Carmen Giampetruzzi, Ryan Otis and Wenyen Gabriel. Matt Alosa’s Spartans will counter with the best scorer in New Hampshire in Patrick Welch as he leads a group that includes Kafani Williams and Dominic Timbas on the low block.

 It’s a game that hypes itself…

 New Hampshire Sportspage will have full coverage including highlights and interviews of this spectacular event.

 In addition to the games we’ll also select the ‘best crowd’ of the 16 schools in the jamboree with a cash donation going to the winning school’s booster club.

 Stay tuned for more details as we get closer to basketball season…