By Chris Paul
The Londonderry High School Girls’ Basketball team started the Winter sports season with four straight wins, with just one of those games being close.
The Lancers tacked on two regular season victories on their home court to finish out 2023, to continue the regular season with an undefeated record, then hosted a Holiday Tournament where they finished with a 3-0 record.
On Tuesday, Dec. 19, Londonderry was able to outlast the Portsmouth Lady Clippers in a 64-62 nail-biter.
The LHS squad began the contest with a three-point lead in the first quarter and headed into the second period at 18-15.
Heading into the half, sophomore star, Sammy Sullivan, scored four, three-pointers, to help her team to a 40-26 lead by the end of the second.
The Lancers kept up the pressure on both sides of the courts in the third quarter to head into the final period with a comfortable 56-36 lead, but that’s where LHS let PHS back into the game.
The Portsmouth squad outscored Londonderry 25-8 during the final stretch, but held on to secure the team’s third win of the season.
Sullivan led her team in scoring with 20-points, including four three-pointers, and four-points in the first and fourth.
Fellow sophomore, Brooke Eacrett, had another solid game, finishing with 16-points and scoring in every quarter.
Junior guard, Mia Giampa, added 11-points to the LHS tally, including three, three-pointers.
Three nights later, at home for a Friday night game, Londonderry dominated the usually unbeatable Bishop Guertin Cardinals, 60-42.
The Lancers allowed just four baskets to the Division I defending champions in the first half, to take a 28-7 lead by the end of the half.
In the second half, BG was able to gain their footing back a bit, but not enough to overcome their 21-point deficit.
Londonderry was fouled 13 times in the second half and scored 15 times out of 20 attempts from the foul line.
Sullivan had her second consecutive 20-point game, scoring in every quarter. The sophomore forward was sent to the free-throw line 16 times, scoring 10 times.
Freshman guard, Gemma Murray, had a big night, tallying 18-points against the BG defense, scoring eight-points in the first quarter and ten in the second half.
Eacrett came away with 10-points in the game, including four from the foul line.
Over the Christmas break, the Londonderry girls continued to dominate, finishing the Holiday Tournament they hosted with a 3-0 record over teams from throughout New England.
Head coach, Jon Doherty, commented, “We had competitive games across the board. Bedford and Londonderry both went 3-0. The team played fantastic all week, we still have a lot of growing to do, but I am very proud of this group.”
The Lady Lancers will start 2024 with another home game, they will take on Keene (3-0) on Friday night, Jan 5, starting at 7 p.m.