Over a thousand fans headed over to Alvirne high school this weekend for the first annual jamboree and today we take a look at each of the eight match-ups.
 

 In a programming note I will have our annual Division III & Division IV previews in the 4,000 word each range later in the week. On to the games from the weekend;

 Friday night
 Game 1:  Salem 57, Windham 54 (Salem is sponsored by Merrimack Valley Sports)

 What happened?: Windham led for much of the game behind the play of Andrew Lowman but Salem head coach Rob McLoughlin dialed up the defensive intensity late (a staple of his teams) and came back for the first win in jamboree history.

 What player stood out?: Michael Felix of Salem still is in ‘pre-season shape’ but he has all the tools to be a big time factor this season. Felix can bull his way to the basket and handles the ball pretty well for a guy his size.

Game 2: Bishop Brady 84, Bishop Guertin 83 (OT)

 What happened?: BG ran twelve players at Brady in true Jim Migneault style but Brady point guard Jourdain Bell was a one man press-breaker in scoring 39 points in the win. Down three in the final minute of play Bell grabbed an offensive rebound off of brother Joe’s miss (off a nice set play by head coach Mark Yeaton), took the contact and scored plus the foul to tie the game. Brady then held the lead through overtime and made enough foul shots to raise the Division II flag Friday evening.

 Another highlight was Justin McIsaac, calling play by play, describing four BG players surrounding Jourdain Bell by saying, “ Bell surrounded by four Cardinals…one more and they could elect a Pope.” Followed by his giggling to himself for the next five minutes about how clever he is…

 What player stood out?: Joe Bell. Jourdain may have had 39 and trust me he’s a player, but I liked younger brother Joe’s game. He is strong when he gets into the paint and rotates well defensively. You win with players like Joe Bell.

 Game 3: Merrimack 68, Pelham 58

 What happened?: Both teams went at it like a mid-season showdown. Pelham flies up and down the floor and every time Merrimack controlled the defensive rebound Pythons head coach Matt Regan would yell “Sprint!” as his five guys ran back. Eric Gendron (39 points) was outstanding and led an 11-0 run in the second half that broke open a back & forth game. Gendron is a Division II college talent, my congratulations to the first coach who figures that out.

 What player stood out?: There is nothing not to like about Pelham guard Jake Vaiknoras. The senior guard drilled a pair of three’s, took two charges on Gendron and was generally in the middle of everything. There isn’t a team in the state that wouldn’t start Vaiknoras.

 Saturday
 Game 4: Alvirne 84, Newport 54

 What happened?: Division I Alvirne overwhelmed Division III Newport with their size and athleticism and rolled to an easy thirty point victory. Newport could never find an offensive rhythm and when you are giving up two or three offensive rebounds on the other end it will make for a long afternoon.

 What player stood out?: Alex Wetmore of Alvirne did a nice job on the boards and Seth Garon’s team overall looked very balanced. Tyler Brown has grown to 6’5 and will be among the leading scorers in Division I this season.

 Game 5:  Lebanon 64, Spaulding 63

 What happened?: One of the best games of the jamboree as Lebanon clawed back from 11 points down to win the game on an Austin Whaley elbow jumper off of two offensive rebounds. Darian Berry and Charlie Nevejans had the fighting McIsaacs up early but Lebanon closed in on the torrid shooting of Raiders guard Kalin Sou and won the game when Berry’s half-court heave hit the front of the rim.

 What player stood out?: Lebanon freshman guard K.J Matte (son of his head coach) is a club level member and one of the more polished freshman guards in New Hampshire. As the season goes on Matte will cut down on the turnovers and count on him to play major minutes, he has a lot of poise with the basketball in his hands for a player his age.

 Something else that stood out was the fact that each and every member of the Lebanon team came over to shake our hand and personally thank Eliot Bless & myself for including them in the jamboree. That certainly wasn't necessary but was really appreciated. It says a lot about the class & character of their head coach Kieth Matte.

 Game 6: Bedford 54, Portsmouth 36 (Bedford is sponsored by Bedford Dental Office)

 What happened?: Bedford looked like a deeper team than they were a year ago, combine that with the fact that they now have a second pre-season under head coach Mike Fitzpatrick and you have a recipe for a very successful year. Portsmouth, playing without Donovan Phanor who was out with an ankle injury from football season, is going to struggle to score early in the season. Nick Mackey and Zach Hansler both had some good moments in the Clippers backcourt.

 What player stood out?: Bedford forward Ryan Brown has improved from a year ago and will be a nice contributor for them at the forward spot. Fitzpatrick is still figuring out combinations and his rotation but the pieces are there…this is a good basketball team.

 Game 7: Manchester Central 66, Conant 51 (Central is sponsored by 900 Degrees Pizzaria)

 What happened?: Central is loaded and came right out of the gate in burying three pointers on three of their first five possessions. Conant though shook off early jitters and got right back in it, pulling to within 22-19 in the second quarter on a Rob O’Brien three pointer. On three or four occasions the Orioles had shots sit on the rim and fall out as a 10 point halftime deficit easily could have been two. Central though did a tremendous job moving the basketball through Conant’s half-court trap as Doc Wheeler’s team pulled away for the win behind 37 points from Brett Hanson (more on him in a minute..) and Florida transfers John & Joe Martin.

 What player stood out?: Brett Hanson is as good as has been advertised. He can stroke it from three and gets to the rim easily at his own unique angles. Wheeler is one of the top coaches in New Hampshire and now he has the weapons to bring an 18th state championship to Manchester Central.

 Game 8: Trinity 64, Pembroke Academy 58 (Trinity is sponsored by The Auburn Pitts)

 What happened?: The two champions went back and forth in a very entertaining  game played in front of a nearly packed house. Patrick Welch and Dominic Timbas led the way for the Spartans but this is a Pembroke team that relies a lot on jump shots and on the opposite end Trinity bulled their way to the basket and won the battle on the boards even minus 6’7 center Wenyen Gabriel (recovering from a foot injury). Brad Rhoades hit a huge runner in the lane late and Carmen Giampetruzzi was the toughest player on the floor, his steal and reverse lay-up (with his weak hand no less) sealed the victory for the Division I champions.

 What player stood out?: Ryan Otis just does a dozen little things that help you win games. If you’re viewing the Pioneers from afar and judging Otis from the box score you’re missing his importance to their success. Otis can shoot from mid-range and beyond, plays very disciplined man to man defense and moves the ball on offense.