The 2014-15 Londonderry High boys’ basketball squad completed the first undefeated regular season in the 37-year history of varsity boys’ hoop at the local school late last week by handing the tough Spaulding High Red Raiders a resounding defeat on their own court.
Second-year coach Nate Stanton’s Lancers finished up the regular campaign at 18-0 by downing the 15-3 Red Raiders – who went into the Friday, March 6 game having won seven consecutive contests – in a 77-60 decision.
The locals raced out to a 24-11 lead in the first period, and it was looking like it would be a lopsided outcome after those eight minutes of play. But the Red Raiders rallied in the second period – outscoring the Lancers by a 24-16 tally – to leave the score at 40-35 in Londonderry’s favor at halftime.
The third quarter was far less productive for both sides, with each tallying 10 points. But Londonderry exploded for 27 points – with sophomore guard Jake Coleman collecting 17 of those – as the Lancers drove to their 17-point victory.
Coleman and Marc Corey both finished with 22 points and Cody Ball collected 20, and young forward Brandon Radford tallied eight. The victors finished with 11 three-point shots, with Ball bagging four and Ball and Coleman each sinking three.
“I am proud of my team,” said Stanton. “I told them from day one that they are a special group, and if they put the effort in and believe in each other, then we will accomplish what some may think is the impossible. The thing I love about us is how the team stays humble and comes ready to work each and every day to get better. Having an undefeated regular season is great, but we have our goals set to higher expectations and we’re looking forward to playing our best basketball for the playoffs.”
The Lancers finished as the number one seed heading into the Division I tournament, and drew the 16th-ranked Winnacunnet High School Warriors from Hampton as their first-round opponent. That contest was scheduled to be played at LHS Wednesday night, March 11, after Londonderry Times press time.
Provided they defeat the Warriors, the Lancers would then host the quarter finals game on Saturday at 7 p.m. against the Merrimack Tomahawks (No. 9) or the Alvirne Broncos (No. 8).