WEST CANAAN — They’re getting closer.
After nearly erasing an 18-point deficit in a six-point loss to Lebanon last week, the Mascoma High boys basketball team nearly took down their neighbors on Friday night. Calvin Bates and Braeden Falzarano came though when it mattered, hitting five fourth-quarter free throws as the Raiders held on for a 47-43 victory at Edward Kehoe Gymnasium.
Lebanon (3-0, all against Mascoma) had to do the rallying this time, albeit in a less ramatic manner. Down 34-33 at the third-period break, the Raiders surrendered just two points to someone other than Ben Seiler, the Royals’ ace scorer, to overturn the modest deficit.
Bates had a team-high 16 points for Lebanon, followed by 13 from Karsten Hansen and 10 from Falzarano. Seiler led all scorers with 22 points; Gabe Rock contributed eight for the Royals (1-4).
Lebanon visits Keene on Tuesday. Mascoma hosts Stevens on Tuesday.
SUNAPEE — Marauders coach Tim Winslow has told his team since the preseason if it wants to be competitive come tournament time, play defense. The message seems to be sinking in.
Hanover’s defenders clamped down from the start and allowed only five points in the contest’s opening quarter, eventually taking a 31-13 lead at the half.
The Lakers scored 20 points in the third to cut the game to 45-33, but Hanover shut down the hosts’ production in the final frame, surrendering just two points.
Max Galbraith led the Marauders on the offensive end with 18 points. Jordan McConnell added seven and Colin Pierce and Jacob Kubik-Pauw each contributed six.
Hanover (3-1) is scheduled to travel to Newport on Tuesday.
LEBANON — The Raiders (3-0) got double-figure games from three players and used a 23-point second quarter to pull away in their latest defeat of the Royals (0-5).
Molly Smith led the way for Lebanon with 13 points, followed by 12 from Emma Longacre and 11 from Catherine Cole. Sally Rainey “controlled the whole defensive end” for the Raiders, according to coach Emily Kehoe, adding seven steals and five assists to her four points. Madelyn Newton added five points for Lebanon, which hosts Keene on Tuesday.
Madisun LaCasse led Mascoma with seven points, Gabby Pierce matched her season high with five and Liberti LaCasse netted four. The Royals visit Stevens on Tuesday.
HANOVER — Melissa Whitmore had a career night for the Marauders, amassing 24 points and nine rebounds in a win over the Wildcats.
Stella Galanes followed up with 16 points for Hanover, and Charlotte Johnson held top Fall Mountain scorer Avery Stewart to seven points.
“I was most impressed by our defense tonight,” Hanover coach Dan O’Rourke said. “Over the past two weeks, we’ve focused on becoming a better defensive team and, tonight, their hard work in practice showed.
Hanover welcomes Newport to town on Tuesday.