Coach Nate Stanton and his blistering-hot Londonderry High School boys’ basketball squad expected to enter this week contemplating multiple strong performances from last week. But Mother Nature had different ideas.
Stanton saw his undefeated Lancers trounce the struggling Salem Blue Devil hoopsters (2-7 record) by an 80-52 tally at LHS Wednesday night, Jan. 28. But a planned trip to Winnacunnet High School in Hampton to play the Warriors late in the week was cancelled due to a heavy snowstorm on the seacoast. That contest’s reset date had not been announced at Londonderry Times press time.
In the Salem contest, the 7-0 locals grasped a 14-5 lead after one period had been concluded, and then senior guard Cody Ball pumped home 14 of the Lancers’ 30 second-quarter points to help his side to a 44-24 halftime advantage.
The hosts then went on to outscore their scuffling guests – who came into the evening having lost six of their previous seven Division I contests – by a 36-28 margin in the second half to win the game by 28 points.
Saint Anselm College-bound standout Ball netted 30 big points in the contest – matching his season high – with Marc Corey tallying 16 and Jake Coleman collecting 14. Ball, Corey, and Coleman each sank a pair of three-point shots for the victorious locals.
Senior forward Joey Kwiatkowski saw limited action during his first game back from a knee injury suffered a few weeks ago.
The Lancers will travel to Derry on Friday, Feb. 6 for the annual Ball Family Trophy match up against rival Pinkerton Academy. The Astros hold an 8-1 Division 1 record.