The Newmarket High School girls basketball team advanced to Saturday's Division IV title game after Wednesday's 43-35 win over No. 1 Littleton.
WHITEFIELD -The depth of the Newmarket High School girls basketball team proved invaluable in a Division IV semifinal against top-seeded Littleton on Wednesday, March 4.
With leading scorer Amaya Beckles held to just five points, AJ Mulligan and others stepped up and did enough as fifth-seeded Newmarket knocked off top-seed Littleton, 43-35 at White Mountains High School.
Mulligan scored a game-high 17 points for the Mules, while Kiara Rugora had nine and Kaya Dobberstein added seven.
"(Beckles) was Littleton's main focus and they were doing a good job defensively on her," Newmarket head coach Randy Edgerly said. "Other kids stepped up and were huge. When the girls play with confidence like they did tonight, they can beat anybody."
Newmarket (18-3) will face No. 2 Groveton in the Division IV state championship on Saturday, March 7 at Colby-Sawyer College. Tip is scheduled for 1 p.m. Groveton (19-2) advanced with a 44-30 win over No. 6 Farmington.
"(Groveton) is well-coached, very disciplined and they have some shooters," Edgerly said. "They play physical, and they like to run. We have to come ready to play."
Newmarket has lost its only appearance in a state championship game, losing to Littleton, 41-23 in 2004.
"(Playing for a championship) is surreal for these girls," Edgerly said. "They've been jacked all year, and they've brought the energy and showing up all year. These girls deserve this. They put in a lot of work during the season. They have a shot at making history at Newmarket."
BOYS BASKETBALL
No. 4 Pinkerton 90
No. 13 Dover
DERRY - Junior Michael Gorham had a team-high 26 points for Dover in this Division I first-round loss.
Dover finished the season with a record of 8-11. Pinkerton will host No. 5 Bishop Guertin on Saturday in a quarterfinal game.
"We got beat by a very good Pinkerton team," Dover head coach Matt Fennessy said. "I thought we did some positive things offensively, but we struggled on the defensive end. Overall, we had a solid season and we have a young returning group."
Peter Leggett added 18 points for the Green Wave, while Owen Corringham had 10.
GIRLS HOCKEY
No. 10 Exeter 3
No. 7 Kingswood 2
WOLFEBORO - Maddy Mann had one goal and one assist for No. 10 Exeter in a Division I first-round game at Pop Whalen Ice & Arts Center.
Exeter (10-8-1) will visit No. 2 Berlin/Gorham/Kennett on Friday, March 6 in a quarterfinal game.
Amelia Bonafede and Keagan Donohue also scored a goal for the Blue Hawks, while Nora Hanlon and Claire Wilhelm both had one assist. Exeter goalie Maria Monge had 18 saves.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Seacoast Tourney roundup, Newmarket girls pull off semifinal upset
Category: General Sports
