High School Roundup: CV’s Robbins wins state title; Conant girls advance, and ConVal shocks Souhegan

By BEN CONANT

Monadnock Ledger-Transcript

Published: 02-21-2023 8:23 AM

ConVal senior Chris Robbins had a great day at the NHIAA Division III wrestling championships on Saturday at Bow High School, securing another place in Cougar history by joining the prestigious 100-win club and bringing home his third state championship. 

Robbins won the 195-lb. division with three pinfalls, beating Seamus Wellen of Souhegan, Alex Descoteau of John Stark and then winning the championship match over Joshua Nossaman of Plymouth. 

Robbins now has three state championships and would likely have four had ConVal fielded a wrestling team in the COVID-tinged 2020-21 season. 

ConVal’s Tegan Lightfoot also had a solid day, taking second place at 132 lbs. by beating Corey Chapman of Kingswood and Nathan Maslanek of Pelham before losing to Logan Brown of Souhegan in the final. 

Kast Chek also picked up a win for CV at 160 lbs.

Also competing for ConVal were Luis Torres (12o lbs.), Jonathan Henley (126 lbs.), Emiel Sefuentes (138 lbs.),Tyler Sullivan (145 lbs.), Drake Bay (170 lbs.) and Solomon Page (182 lbs.)

Robbins and Lightfoot can compete in the Meet of Champions, set for Saturday at Bedford High School.

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

No. 1 Conant survives Kearsarge quarterfinal

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The No. 1 Orioles were tested mightily in their first Division III playoff game Saturday, as No. 8 Kearsarge came to Jaffrey and got physical with Conant in a defensive battle that saw the Orioles come out on top 35-30.

“They had the right game plan,” Conant head coach Brian Troy after the game. “That’s exactly what I would do if I was coaching against us, just be really physical. Obviously they made everything really hard for Emma and Brynn tonight. ...Things are just tough. It’s playoff time.”

Despite the game’s physicality, both teams only shot a combined nine free throws and only made two, as Kearsarge held Conant’s dynamic duo of Emma Tenters (eight points) and Brynn Rautiola (nine points) below double figures, thanks in part to good center play from Cougar junior Tessa Marinello. The Orioles got a boost from Bella Hart (nine points) and Adrienne Kennedy (four points), and played good enough defense to withstand the low offensive output. Troy said he has faith in his entire team to step up when his two stars are under duress.

“I have a lot of belief in our other players too,” Troy said. “We're not just 17-1 because of Emma and Brynn. I have a lot of trust and faith. ...I really believe that at the next level, those other girls will respond.”

Senior Addy Whitty had 11 points for Kearsarge in the loss; senior Ella Stocker added 10.

Conant (18-1) will face No. 5 Hopkinton (14-4) in the semifinals at Bow High School Thursday at 7:30 p.m. after the Hawks upset No. 4 Prospect Mountain Saturday night. The other semifinal features No. 2 Concord Christian (19-1) versus No. 3 Stevens (16-2).

Souhegan 40, ConVal 35

The Cougars and Sabers went hard during Wednesday’s Claws for a Cause fundraiser game, but Souhegan executed down the stretch and won the game. The teams were tied at 29 with two minutes left before Souhegan clamped down and won it. 

Morgan Bemont led all scorers with 28 of ConVal’s 35 points. 

The Cougars (4-11) were set to play at Hollis-Brookline Monday night and host Hanover to conclude the regular season Tuesday. 

BOYS’ BASKETBALL

Conant ousted on last-second shot

The Conant boys took undefeated back-to-back-to-back champions Gilford to overtime in the regular season and gave the No. 1 Eagles another scare in the Division III quarterfinals Friday night, coming back from a 14-point deficit to tie the game in the fourth quarter before losing on a last-second shot from senior Jalen Reese. 

Reese hit the 1,000-point mark earlier in the game and then hit an elbow jumper with two seconds left to sink the Orioles, 54-52.

Ben Sawyer led Conant with 17 points. Jared Nagle had 16. Jordan Nagle had eight, and Manny Hodgson seven. 

The Orioles (13-7) graduate Jacob Sawyer and should return all their starters next season. 

ConVal 72, Souhegan 68

The Cougars had vengeance on their minds Wednesday night after losing a poor game at Plymouth Monday and losing last year’s state championship and this year’s road matchup with No. 1 Souhegan. ConVal came out hot Wednesday, stunning the Sabers by jumping out to a 25-3 lead in the first quarter. Souhegan finally settled, responded and cut it to a two-point game in the final minutes before ConVal’s Ethan Kinney hit a clutch three, made a steal and then hit two free throws to clinch the game.

Joe Gutwein led all scorers with 30 points. Kinney had 13, and Noah Stewart 11. 

Laconia 84, ConVal 67

Joe Gutwein had another 29 points on Friday at Laconia, but the Cougars came up short, as the Sachems’ Kayden Roberts (28 points) and Keaton Beck (20 points) played well in the win. 

Gutwein is leading Division II in points per game at 24.5.

Noah Stewart had 17 points, and Ryan Close added 11. 

ConVal (11-6) plays their season finale at Hanover on Tuesday. 

WINTER SPIRIT

Mascenic wins at Cap City

In their first competitive action of the season, the Mascenic winter spirit team won the Capital City cheerleading competition Saturday by scoring an 85.5 to lead their division. 

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