001Oh. >> [music] [music] >> Oh. >> [music] [music] >> HEY! HEY! >> [music] >> HEY! HEY! >> [music] >> HEY! HEY! >> [music] >> HEY! HEY! >> [music] >> HEY! HEY! >> [music] >> HEY! >> [music] >> HEY! HEY! HEY! [music] HEY! >> [music] >> HEY! HEY! >> [music] >> HEY! HEY! >> [music] >> HEY! HEY! >> [music] >> HEY! HEY! >> [music] [music] >> Great save there by man. >> [music] >> De Greco >> [music] >> As he's trying to make a goal and as it goes in. >> [music] >> That one was deflected and it goes off of the goalie to go in there. Good evening and welcome to the first game of the Division 1 playoffs as the number five Exeter Blue Hawks welcome the number 12 Portsmouth Clippers to Exeter High
002School. I'm Bill Taylor and I'm here along with Tim Hollister. And we can't wait to get this playoff game started. And Tim, if I go back in time, the third game of the season, these two teams met in Exeter went to Portsmouth and defeated them 48-47. Yeah, coach, you are completely correct. You know, that was the game that kind of shifted the identity for this Exeter team. Emmy K's normally known for her great defense led the game in scoring with 14 points alongside her great defense led Exeter to a win. But man, after that Exeter was 13 and three or 13-3 including that game. They started season 0-2 and that game completely shifted their momentum. Okay. The starting lineups. First for the Portsmouth Clippers, number 10, Leonie Corey. Number 12, Jenna Lucy. Number 13, Reese
003McAuley. Number 25, Addie Lane. And number 31, Jolie Robichaud. For Exeter High School, >> [cheering] >> number 10, Lexi Rogers. Number 14, Maya Deneen. Number 24, Jessica Melick. Number 25, Nicole Melick. And number 33, Emmy K's. And two veteran coaches going at it tonight. Yep. Kayleen Rogers of the Exeter Blue Hawks and Tim Hapley of the Portsmouth Clippers. >> [clears throat] >> And if we're going to be having the national anthem. >> [music] [music] >> Well, the NHIAA always assigns three officials to tournament games. So, we do have three officials working the game tonight. Which is different. Yeah, we're used to two. Yeah. Well, I know I've been thinking about this game all day, and I'm not even coaching a or playing. Yeah, me too. >> I've just been anxious to watch the game and
004see what happens. Yeah, um you know, I think it's going to be a a defensive battle. These are two incredible defenses. Exeter top 10 only allowing 42 points per game and Portsmouth third best points per game in Division 1 only allowing 33.6. This is going to be a defensive battle and my keys to a Exeter victory today is going to be continue to use that speed to suffocate the opposing offense and dominate the boards like they have in these past couple of games and capitalize off turnovers along with eliminating their own. You know, what happens is uh there is usually some pretty good jitters going into a tournament game. So, whatever happens at the beginning uh hopefully won't be the way the game goes all the way through. Yeah, well, you know, I I'm looking
005at uh Portsmouth's roster sheet right now and they don't they have one senior starting in Reese Macauly and then Exeter has the Maliks. Both teams are very young. The only thing for Portsmouth is their leading scorer Wania Curry Corey is a sophomore. Oh, sorry, she's not their one of their top three scorers is a sophomore. Some jitters for her may happen, but you know, she is a great player. I'm sure she can find a way to calm down and get in her rhythm to. But, we'll see. Oh, wow. Okay, I didn't catch what the technical was for. Second game in a row that we've uh started a game with a technical. Yeah, very interesting. Jessica Melik shooting the foul shots and she missed them both. It's going to be Exeter ball. >> [applause] >> Well,
006no traditional jump ball today. But No, I guess we are starting with the jump. Well, all right. It's a little bit confusing to start our game today. Blue Hawks control the tip. Lexi Rogers with the ball. And they're calling a travel. >> Wow. >> [cheering] >> Interesting there. I didn't see her move her foot before that. Well, I don't know if she put the ball to the floor. Uh, oh, good anticipation there. >> Blue Hawks come out in a 1-2-2 pressure and the Clippers throw it away. I'll tell you what, that's that defense right there from Exeter. Just suffocating. Does not let you get any breathing room and makes you uncomfortable. Portsmouth coming out in man. >> [cheering] >> Blue Hawks ball underneath. Let's see if they can find the Melik twins early. We know
007that they've had success on the inside in their past couple of games. Right there. >> we go. That was Nicole Melik. The 1-2-2 zone. Oh, double dribble. I think Lexi might have tipped it that I think that's what they're calling. Blue Hawks in a zone. Great hands by Emmy K. What a block. Ooh. Good job by Emmy K is controlling the ball. Yep. Ah. >> [cheering] >> Out on that baseline. Still in the 1-2-2. Oh, nice anticipation there by Deneen. Yep. Portsmouth ball. I think that's what makes this Exeter's defense Exeter's defense so great is their anticipation and their quick hands. They're so good at tipping that ball loose or tipping a pass. Blue Hawks now in a man. Nice block. Emmy K is on the block there. >> [cheering] [cheering] >> Three ball was
008missed by Melik. And the Blue Hawks back in their man. [clears throat] Again, great communication here for Exeter. Just a great job of knowing that everyone's covered and communicating on switches, screens. Just great job. Oh, wow. >> Ah. >> [applause and cheering] >> Foul is on Nicole Melch. >> [snorts] >> Well, coach, we got uh two top 25 scores, in fact, top 15 scores in this game today. Both of them on Exeter. Lexi Rogers, ninth, 14.5 points per game, and Jessica Melch, 13.5, she is 12th. All right. Portsmouth's doing a great job just being patient, not forcing anything up. Good rebound. Shot was missed by Robichaud. That's where we see Exeter win a lot of games, is on the boards. They get the extra possessions and limit their opponents to one shot per possession. Ooh.
009Great hands there. A good steal by number 25, Lane. Exeter comes out man. Yeah, she stepped out. You can see nerves, nerves, still nerves. >> Seeing a lot of a lot of loose dribbling and a lot of passes that go awry. Definitely a nervous game, and it's going to be any playoff game, no matter the first round, second round, you're the favorite, you're the underdog, you're going to have nerves, and it only gets bigger as you get further in the tournament. So, really being calm under pressure is where those teams become state champions. Lexi Rogers for three, MEK's with the rebound. Lexi Rogers with the follow. Three shots at the basket. You do that, you're going to win a lot of ball games. >> Yep. Portsmouth turnover. Another real loose dribble there. Ah. >> [cheering]
010>> I would have liked maybe seen Nicole Melch pull that three. I think she was a little I thought she was open, but trying to get the higher percentage shot on the inside to her sister. Don't mind the decision there. Blue Hawks in their diamond defense, diamond press, which is really a 1-2-1-1. Nice block. >> Open down the floor. MEK'S AND ONE. GOOD HOOP. >> [applause and cheering] >> Six nothing. Halfway through the first quarter. >> [cheering] >> Not good from the foul line. Ooh. Well, good job not just getting the foul and making the basket. Even though she didn't make the free throw, making that basket, you know, creates a momentum play. Oh, wow. >> Yeah. >> [screaming] >> Yeah, they're going to call that. They're going to call that all the time. Number
01124, Jessica Miller. And number 12, Jenna Lucy. You said she is their high scorer. Uh for Portsmouth? Or was it Corey? Lucy, yeah. Sorry, I misspoke earlier. I did say Corey was. Lucy is their highest scorer. She has 10.3 points per game. Okay. Number five for Portsmouth in the game, that's Molly Malinowski. And she missed both free throws. Good offensive rebound. Good block. >> Emagalis. >> [cheering] >> That was Lucy. Yep. Great job, you know, she took advantage of Emagalis kind of falling backwards. She intercepted the pass and got a quick close-up shot. First points of the game for Portsmouth. Three. Oh. Good rebound. Oh, you got to make them. Red ball. 6-2 is the score. Yeah, this is going to be a low-scoring game, you know, just really it's going to be defensive all
012game I think and it's going to come down to transition points and I think it's going to come down to just capitalizing off the extra possessions. Oh, free ball is an air ball. Just it's tough to hit a shot on this Exeter team. Number 24, Jessica Miller, back in the game for Emma Gillis. You know, I kind of it you don't want to necessarily play this Exeter team in the playoffs. They were eight and one over their last nine with their only loss coming to the number one seed Concord Christian. Man, they're just hot at the right time. They've been hot all season, honestly. And number 20, that's May Atlee in the game for Maya Deneen. Nice pass there. Good job getting open. Just >> I'll tell you, Portsmouth does a good job defensively and
013help and recover. Yeah, they do. They do a great job of making sure, you know, either, you know, if someone gets a little lost, covering that person and limiting these easy shots for Exeter. They're not getting a lot of them. It's why it's such a low-scoring game. Oh, here we go. May Atlee. Diamond pressure. But you know I didn't get the chance to say it, but Lexi Rogers did a great job playing that 2 V 1 perfectly when Portsmouth was in transition. >> [cheering] [applause] >> 9 to 2 is the score as we've got a minute and a half to go in the opening quarter. What? Tim, what you promised was going to be a defensive contest so far as they listened to you. Yeah, well, you know, it it's just when you see two
014great defensive teams come together, you're not expecting a high-scoring game. And see Rogers, no. If I was a betting man, whatever the under is for this game, I'd be hammering it just because it's it it's two great defensive teams and they're both so good at limiting turnovers and you know, transition points and that's where >> travel >> [cheering] >> That's where we see Exeter put up a lot of their points in previous games as they force turnovers, they score in transition, they get the easy buckets. Portsmouth doing a great job of limiting that and that's what's keeping them in the game. Two foul shots. The Robichaud, she misses the first, number 22. Brailey Visher is in the game for Addie Lane. for Portsmouth And she makes the second one. >> [cheering] >> Portsmouth comes out
015in the man. Nice pa- oh >> [cheering] >> That was a nice pass by Jessica Melch's. Couldn't quite hold on to the ball. Oh, great hands, Emmy K's. And who do we have in the game here? That's Deneen that just checked in. >> Yep, Maya Deneen is in for Lexi Rogers. You know, I can already tell we're going to be saying Emmy K's name a lot. Oh, Melch with the block. That was Jessica Melch with the block on number 10. Three is short. >> [cheering] >> Just a great quarter. Likely Exeter holds for last shot here. Just a great quarter defensively from Exeter. You know, they've done great job eliminating Corey and Lucy. Double dribble. >> Wow. Never mind, I was wrong. Gillis is coming in back into the game for Appley. And they have
016her, seems like assigned to Robichaud. She came in and ran right towards her. Didn't Oh, short. Okay, at the end of the first quarter, the Exeter Bluehawks nine, the Portsmouth Clippers three. Tim, what do you What did you see in the first quarter? >> you know, I I saw kind of what I expected. Defensive game, you know, not a lot of open shots for either team, but you know, it seems like Exeter in that game against Portsmouth found something that they know on film or just to guard Portsmouth. In that overtime of that game, they only allowed two points. In In this quarter, in double the amount of time, they only allowed three. Right? So, they clearly have done their They looked at their film from their last game, saw what they did well, saw
017what they should have improved, and they've clearly capitalized it off it. Really just shutting down, you know, Lucy, who's a top 10 scorer or a top three scorer on the team. Well, you know, I've been a very impressed also with Portsmouth collapsing man defense. >> Yeah. When if you get the ball, you better do something with it quickly, especially if you're close to the basket, cuz if you don't, you're going to be surrounded by Clippers. Yeah, 100%. You know, this Portsmouth defense has only allowed 35 points or more in six games this season. Their their game plan each game is just shut you down, don't let you score. Because in those six games where they allowed 35 points or more, they're 0 and 6. So, you know, they they do a great job of shutting
018teams down. I mean, that is insane. I've never seen a team only allow allow less than 40 points more than six times a game a year. Okay, jump ball. And it's Blue Hawk ball. Exeter was in a man and uh Portsmouth didn't hit the rim on two. >> [applause] >> Nice rebound and it goes to Hayes. Yeah, she's been killing the boards tonight. >> [cheering] >> Three for Nicole Melch. Nicole Melch for three. Well, they let her shoot that. They >> [cheering] >> They didn't try and contest that shot at all and she's not someone you want to just let shoot the three ball. She's a great shooter and great scorer. Uh foul was on Lexi Rogers. Trying to deny Lucy the ball. Foul on the Blue Hawks, number 10, Lexi Rogers, her first. May
019Atley back in the game for the Blue Hawks. Number 25, Addie Lane back in the game for Portsmouth. Oh, nice rebound. Blue Hawks pushing it down the court. Oh, ah. Put a little English in that. Man defense. >> Man. Emmy K's footwork was just beautiful on that. Just fantastic defense here from Exeter. Oh, good block. Wow. Ooh. I'm hoping they ain't called out on Nicole Melch. Yeah, 14, okay. Blue Hawks fouling number 14. >> Maya Deneen. >> Her first, team second. >> Yeah, because that was a real good block on that. >> Yeah, I'm I'm not sure I didn't see Maya Deneen on that play. Um, so I don't know if she did slash, but I'm I'm just glad they didn't call it on Nicole cuz that was a clean block. That's what I was
020worried about was them saying that she got piece of her arm or something cuz that was perfectly clean. Jessica Melch back in the game for May Atley. Ooh. Good hustle rebound by Portsmouth. Number 10, Lee Leanna Corey. Oh, great defense there from Exeter. >> Good rebound, rip it. That's good. Well, no. Portsmouth had to shoot that over three Exeter defenders. That's a tough shot. And that's a shot you take when you can't find anything else. And Emmy K's to the hoop. Something about her against Portsmouth, I guess. She, you know, she's She She likes the color of the jersey. Yeah. >> [laughter] >> Yeah, you know, we uh We know her as a defensive player, but man, she's already starting to dominate on offense. We've seen her dominating the boards this game. It seems like
021she's giving Exeter chance after chance when it comes to possessions. And obviously, we've seen her footwork in the first half of the court. She's just a great defender overall, but man, this Exeter team, also a great defense, has only allowed 50 points or more four times this season. And the last time they allowed that, January 13th. So, seven games allowing 35 points or less. Both these teams just great defensively. 14 to three is the score. Just a little bit under six minutes to go in the first half. The Bluehawks have come out and now established a double-digit lead. Yeah, and you know, I think I think it's just going to be tough to overcome a a this deficit if they continue to take the shots that Exeter's giving them. You know, Exeter's doing such a
022great job of shutting down this Portsmouth team and making them just kind of take any shot with breathing room they can. In that case, they have probably two, three defenders on them. Or they have to take take a low percentage shot like a high like a deep three. Bluehawks come out, pressure. Oh. Travel call. >> [cheering] >> What they What they're doing is they're doubling up inside. Yeah. Or doubling up the ball, I should say, or they did. Now they're in a straight 2-3. Great defense here. And Portsmouth throws it away. >> [cheering] >> Man, that's just Exeter's going to make you make those mistakes. And it's got to be about limiting those mistakes if you're Portsmouth and capitalizing off of any missed Exeter shot. Oh. >> [cheering] >> Nice defense there by Lexi Rogers.
023Didn't want to get caught with her hand in the cookie jar. Oh. Yeah, that was a tough fall. I think she got But she's holding her head, not the back of her head, but looked to me like maybe she got uh might have got hit with a stray elbow. Ooh. Okay, 14 to 3. It's a shame, but I understand why they had to blow the whistle. >> Yeah. Yeah. I mean, any sort of injury like that, like you just want to Yes. >> doesn't matter after that. Just got to make sure she's okay and >> That's correct. I do not know who it was. Uh it is It's a twen- It's a number in the 20s, so I think it's Elaine. Okay, let's see. >> [applause] >> Okay, she's walking off. I'm sure they they
024have to sub for her. Yeah, oh, 23. >> 23, that is >> not on the roster. So, that's to TBA. To be determined. Elaine is now on the court. So, I was definitely incorrect on that guess. They got the ball in. Oh, no. Nice hustle there from Emmy K's to get the jump, but that's going to be Portsmouth ball. >> ball. Looks like the diamond press. This game's one of the more physical ones we've seen for this Exeter team. Typically, they're the ones being physical, but Portsmouth's matched that. Uh, they're going to call that. Yeah, foul's on Emmy K's. You know, for as great defense as both these teams have been playing, it's been relatively clean. They >> Mhm. Not a lot of fouls by either team. Good close out there from Malik. >> Yeah,
025she I think she got a piece of that. >> Yeah. That's going to be Exeter ball. >> [applause] >> Well, I don't want to jinx anything there, Tim, but we're coming up at the 4-minute mark, halfway through the second period, and Portsmouth hasn't scored. Yeah, just it reminds me a lot of you know, the the early first quarter and a half of that extra Manchester Central game we just called. That was just great defense by Exeter. The thing is is this girls team does a great job of not taking their foot off the gas and just absolutely dominating throughout the entire game, so it could be a while before we see Exeter uh Portsmouth, sorry, score this this quarter. Oh, right there. >> Turnover, Lexie Rogers with the ball pushing it up the floor. Oh,
026piece of that. Oh, nice cut. >> Emmy K. Six points for her. Wow, what a cut. She found the soft spot in Portsmouth's defense. Good. Great defense by uh that's Jessica Malek. Emmy K. >> pass. Oh, man, just the footwork from Emmy K's locked down. Ooh. Jenna Lucy with the foul line jump shot. Four points for her, and that's their first points of the quarter coming almost 6 minutes in. Oh, nice drive, Lexie Rogers. And that's what we see a lot from Lexie Rogers, is her really utilize that speed, turn the corner and just get an easy layup. She's so fast. Again, great defense here from Mckays. Nice defense. Nice rebound. >> [cheering] >> I'm not sure if that will go down as a strip or a block, but I mean oh my god. Oh,
027no foul. Wow. Three officials and they didn't see the contact there. Well, I wonder if they're letting them be physical this game. We've seen a couple of times where people have come up Wow. [screaming] A travel? Number five, Molly Malinowski into the game. For Lana Vidachek. Wow, that was that was a interesting sequence there. Not quite sure where the officials were looking. Oh, she's set back. That's right. >> [cheering] >> Wow, just great Good turn good defense. They just tighten that trap. 100% they saw she was near the half court line and just kind of kept forcing her backwards. >> [applause and cheering] >> One minute to go in the first half. 18 to five is the score. >> [cheering] >> Foul was Gillis. At first I thought she got a clean block there, then
028I heard the whistle. Foul is on number 32 for the Mohawks, Abby Gillis, and that is her first team foul. Jenna Lucy with the ball. Jenna Lucy. >> [applause] >> And she makes both. You know what? She has all but one of Portsmouth's points. She's got six. You know, this is kind of reminds me of the Pinkerton game we watched for both these teams, where they just make you do it all by yourself. And, you know, they've also done a great job of just shutting Lucy down. Ooh. Great defense here. Number 10, Corey. Wow. Man. >> [cheering] >> Extra time resets here. >> [cheering] >> Yeah. >> [applause] >> Foul is on Foul is on number 31, Robechaud. That's her second. Team first. And Mohawks shooting two. Nicole Melchior at the foul line. Here we
029go. First one's good. Swished that one. Jessica Melchior coming into the game. Wow, almost the entire quarter without a foul for Portsmouth. That's impressive. Especially with the type of defense they play. You know, [cheering] one thing I will say, the foul shooting by either team has not been good. Yeah, I know. Oh, yep. Illegal screen. >> Emika's. >> [cheering] >> She gives me Marcus Smart vibes. You know, I I don't know coach if you remember Marcus Smart on the Celtics, but he was just he did the little things and some games he was just unstoppable on the offensive side. She's really having a great game. Robichaud with the foul, I believe. She's out of the game. That'd be her third if that was her foul. Yeah, no, that's a flop. Give me a break. Oh.
030>> [cheering] >> Oh, Lexi Rogers almost got that. Oh. OH, GREAT PLAY THERE. >> YES, great play by number five. >> Malinowski. Wow, great play. >> Well, we should have grabbed the ball. Yeah, Emika's tried to box out there, let the ball go out. Just a great play by Malinowski. Tip it off her, give her team another chance to score here. Great close out from Mal. And that's the end of the first half with the score the Exeter Blue Hawks 19, the Portsmouth Clippers seven. Well, you know what? Exeter's defense, again and again, they allowed three points in that first quarter, four points in the second, and didn't allow them to score till about 5 minutes 15 seconds in, about about that length of time, and man, it's just like I said, it's going to
031be a low-scoring game. And, you know, you have Jess Comstock, whether it's her close out, her rebounding, her blocks, or Emmy Keys just completely shutting down Portsmouth with her footwork, with her way to force them to the boundary line. Just overall great half from Exeter. It was. Great defensive half. Again, foul shooting, foul shooting, foul shooting is going to be the key for either team here the rest of this game. If you'd like the numbers, coach. I would like the numbers. Three for eight for Portsmouth, 38% and one for five for Exeter, 20%. Wow. Okay. And what Sherm Chester was just announcing is the winner of this game plays the winner of Nashua uh Nashua South versus Portsmouth. Or Pinkerton, sorry. Versus Portsmouth. Nashua South versus Pinkerton. And Nashua South with a 22 to 17
032lead is was at at the half? At the half. And if that holds, Exeter will be traveling to Nashua. That's correct. Well, Tim, anything else you Any other stats you got for us? Who's the leading scorers for either team? I'm going to guess it's Lucy for Portsmouth. >> still has six out of the seven points for Portsmouth. Exeter, there's a tie. Nicole Melik, six points uh off uh two-pointer, three-pointer, and one free throw. And then Emmy Keys, all off of two-pointer uh two-point shots. Six points for both of them. So, great job from both all three of those girls. >> Yeah. Okay. Well, we're going to take a break from the action here and uh give our voices a rest. At 19-7 at halftime, Exeter with the advantage. >> of the Panthers. They are the
033fourth seed, 15 and three. And I'll tell you what, a lot of pressure on them. This bigger than 99 coming into this game has given South the game. South jumped out to a 5-1 lead and that lead has held. Bigger than had one a one-point lead at one point in the first quarter and that's been it. And the story has been the deny, deny, deny. Right. >> Heavy defense. Consequently, Brooke Benz, all-state player, only had four points. There she comes in averaging almost 14 a game. And I told you, you got to give it you got to feed her the ball, right? >> Yeah. All right, we get to see the action from the Panthers at this end of the the arena tonight. We got to see the Astros on offense and here Gallagher had
034a physical first half, can't get that one to drop, but it's a pretty good take. >> did. Gallagher needs the points. She's got to get on the board. Yeah, she had two fouls, but no no points in there. Lexi McGuire leading all scorers with nine on the strength of three three balls. 26 22-17 as the Astros go back on offense looking to create. Here comes a bomb from the wing, nothing doing. Great box out over the back by Lexi. >> Over the top. Yep, got to get got to make that call and they do. And that's great presence by Lexi Lexi McGuire right there. Recognizing who she had on her. >> And box her out. >> And box out. Giving her no quarter. All right, 7 minutes even. Hey, there we go, baby. I played
0354 years of varsity. Well, I was the intramural king. Yeah, there we go. I was I'm a 5'9 but I was a good box out guy and that I think McGuire That's your Gallagher steps. Traveled. Yeah, she's Her mind was ahead of the feet. Or the feet were ahead of the mind, excuse me. 6:49 on the clock. Big thanks to Dylan Smith and Owen Siegel for bringing us all the action, keeping us good tonight. >> [cheering] >> Dan Young back in the studio. Pete Johnson, our executive producer, DJ Petey Pete, he's doing the board of ed tonight. I miss the Hawaii 5-0 theme. Oh, there's a swing. And you can't those threes are going to get you. Yeah. A game a 6-point lead is now down to three. And that'll be Leticia's first bucket of
036any kind of the night. Three ball cuts it to three. Gallagher hounded inside. Great use of the board. >> that is what SHE'S GOT TO DO. Use her strength and go to the hoop. And she had Benz all over her and just out pivoted and out worked her. Great job and a turnover. >> [cheering and applause] >> Turnover laden first half, Tom. That was probably the most turnover laden half I've seen all year. 24 to 19. >> see these guys yell defense defense every time Pickering has got the ball. If they if they want to do what if they're here to do that. That's Too much of a crowd scene at the top of the key right there. Not a good feed and then a foul. Oh, boy. I think I can see that far.
037Was that Brooke Burger? Yeah. Another turnover that should be called for you. This is another turnover for South. Yeah, it's been 19 years since I had the LASIK but it's holding firm, Tom. And Burger takes a seat, back in comes Alculyte. She had two in the first half, but gave coach some very good minutes. All right, inbound play coming. This one goes high, able to corral it. In traffic is Tayah Brown. She's been physical tonight. >> didn't It was two points waiting to happen, but it went the other way. >> Without a doubt. All right, Mond clears through. Welcome back to the uh this Division One playoff game. The Exeter Blue Hawks and the Portsmouth Clippers. 19-7 is the score. But this game is not over. No. And uh you know, I want to remind
038everyone that we will be on the air Wednesday 6:00 as the Exeter boys Yeah. the number eight seed will play the Goffstown Grizzlies at the number nine seed. Yeah, that's going to be a close game. And that game was decided uh wasn't that decided on the touchdown pass by from Tyler Reem to uh Nate Tomasi? Yep, that was the overtime 1.5 seconds inbound full court Nate Tomasi I mean, I don't know if you like seen like the replay that play >> Friday night lights showed, but man, he goes straight up, makes no contact with the guy in front of him, and just grabs it, tosses it in. And my favorite part is when like the camera shows him, it shows his face, and even he couldn't believe it. I mean, he is like completely shocked.
039He's like, "What?" And that's just awesome. Seeing that emotion of him even being in disbelief by something that him and Ty Reem did, but yeah, this is going to be an exciting second half um for this game with Exeter's lead. I hope it doesn't have to come down to a last second shot. But Well, you know, the Blue Hawks have to you know, contain Jenna Lucy. Yeah, which they've done a great job of. >> and convert on their offensive possessions. Both teams need to do a better job at the foul line. And you know, while Lucy does have six of the seven points for Portsmouth, you know, Robichaud has that lone one and she's got three fouls. So, got to be worried about that for Portsmouth. In fact, she's not out here to start the
040second half. Blue Hawks start. Again, great defense there from Portsmouth. >> to go to the ball. >> [cheering] >> Exeter's going to be a little more aggressive on loose balls. Yeah, that seemed like a rare moment of miscommunication. Seemed like the two Exeter players thought that they were each other were going to go for the ball and luckily they get it off the jump, but now next jump ball that's going to Portsmouth. Portsmouth's come out in a 1-2-2 press. At half court. And caused a turnover, bad pass. Can't go cross court like that. Yeah, great job by Exeter though to kind of shut down the fast break and force a tough shot. >> Okay. >> [cheering] >> Lexi Rogers pushing the ball up the floor. That's In the lane to Jessica Melnick. Good fast break.
041Here's a shocker, coach. That's her first points of the game. Right. Wow, that is a shocker. But you know what, that's her bread and butter, just getting to a mid-range shot and kind of fading away into it. Okay, number 10, Leanna Corey is fouled. Blocked on number 25, Nicole Melcher. That is her third. That's the third on Nicole Melcher. Leanna Corey at the line. And she makes one of two. That 1-2-2 half-court zone. Oh, good shot. She hits >> [cheering] >> Smart play there by Emmy Case to hit it off of Lucy's foot. She realized she was trapped there. Oh. >> [cheering] >> Wow. On 25. Foul was on Lane. Lexi Rogers at the foul line. Yeah, it looks like she almost got whacked in the face there a little bit. Oh. >> [applause] >>
042Oh, short on both. >> [cheering and applause] >> Foul on the guard number 33. >> Foul is on Emmy K's, her second. Blue Hawks come out. Looks like it's a man. Ooh. Wow. Foul is on Mae Atlee. I was I was a little shocked by the ending. I didn't know that there was much to call there. Travel. >> [cheering] [applause] >> Again, both these teams do a great job of making you make mistakes. That's where we're honestly seeing the biggest difference right now for Exeter and Portsmouth, just >> [cheering] >> making the other team make mistakes, but Exeter's just doing great job of capitalizing off them. Ooh. Foul, yep. >> [applause] >> See who they call that on. Lucy. Ooh. Luckily for Portsmouth, that's only her first. >> [applause] >> Three ball, Nicole Melch. Wow.
043Man, just what a play design there from Coach Rogers. So, she gets right behind the defense, wide open, gets plenty of space. As they force another turnover. >> [cheering and applause] >> Nice pass. Nice. Good twin to twin connection there. >> Yes. Good cut. Good roll to the basket. Good catch. And getting the shot up. So, this is Jessica Melik at the line shooting two. She makes the first. Here comes Kim. You know, I talked to late >> No, that is wrong. This is the girl that we don't know who it is. The I talked to late in the second quarter about how Portsmouth only picked up one foul in basically through that entire quarter. They're already at three in this quarter. They're only 3 minutes in. You don't want to give Exeter the chance
044to be in the bonus for the majority of this quarter. Great defense here again. Good help, also. Yeah, they just Exeter just does a great job of communicating. You see there's no breathing room, and it's just all talk. Oh! Yeah, that's It's going to be off Portsmouth. Man, Exeter just does a great job close out. They don't There There's just no opportunity to get an easy shot for for Portsmouth right now. Portsmouth [clears throat] is in that 1-2-2 zone half-court pressure. Uh-oh! Good rebound there from Lucy. >> Good rebound and shot. Uh Too many fouls. May Atlee with the foul. Well, you know what? I think the refs at halftime kind of talked about how the end of that second quarter was getting a little too physical and >> Yeah, it's getting a little too
045physical and they missed a couple calls. I think they're a little bit more on point in this third quarter trying to make sure they don't let anything go unnoticed. Great hands by Atlee there almost getting a steal. Again, great hands by Atlee. Wow. Great defense just overall from XO. Atlee poked that ball loose about three different times and then Emmy K's making that shot impossible for Lucy to make. Again, Portsmouth in that zone pressure. Great job by Corey there tipping that pass. 5 seconds. >> [cheering] >> Oh, I think coach Rogers Rogers trying to use a timeout there. Robichaud back in the game. It'll be interesting to see if XO tries to target her on the offense side of the ball and make her get into a foul trouble and have to take a sit
046for maybe even the rest of the game. Great switch there. Good switching man. 3 seconds. >> Oh. Turnover. >> [applause] >> You know one thing I've noticed uh Corey is a little more aggressive offensively this half. Again, Portsmouth in that pressure. Oh. A little bit. Good steal. Corey with the layup. And that's their first actual basket that's not from Lucy. Ooh. >> [cheering] >> Exeter's kind of got to settle down a little bit here. Oh, Lucy. Jenna Lucy. And they're back in that trap. Travel. Wow. Really? That's the second travel that ref's called where it's kind of like that. Think she hits the ball down before she takes that step, but >> Yeah. >> [cheering] >> Good, much-needed timeout here from Exeter. 26 to 12. 3 minutes and 8 seconds to go in the third
047quarter. Wow, just a great job by Portsmouth. They're not giving up. They're not a team that's going to roll over and just concede defeat. They had been getting dominated in that first half. Just overall, Exeter kind of did whatever they wanted on the defensive side. Now, Portsmouth's starting to make Exeter have to wake up, and Exeter just coming out of this timeout, I'm sure Lexi Rodg- not Lexi Rodg- sorry. Coach Rogers is discussing, you know, calm down. Let's get back into our rhythm. Don't let Portsmouth get into their head get into your head, and just get back to Exeter basketball like we've been playing in that first half. >> [cheering] >> Ooh. Great defense. >> Good defense. >> Nicole Malachi got a hand on that ball right there. That speed from Lexi Rogers. >> [cheering]
048>> Emmy K set a great screen there. >> She paid the price, too. She got run over. Yeah. Nice pass. Oh. >> [cheering] >> Malachi just great rebound there. >> [cheering] >> Another turnover forced there for Portsmouth. >> [applause and cheering] >> Blue Hawks come out man. Nice job from Exeter there. Didn't get lost in Portsmouth's offense and didn't allow anyone to get open for an easy shot. Great patience here from Exeter not forcing anything. Oh. Jesus. Wow. >> [cheering] >> I thought that could have gone any either way. I'm not sure when that step came down, but I thought maybe she got the ball up first, but good call by the ref. Oh, wow. >> Jenna Lucy to the hoop. That's right, Jenna Lucy. She's the first player in double digits for either team.
049She's got 11 of the 14 for Portsmouth. Oh. Exeter's got to kind of calm down here. Nice pass. And that right there Emmy Gayes to Jessica Melnick. And that is how you kill a six-point run from Portsmouth. That is just you find the open guy, open girl, sorry, make a great cut, make it easy for you to make those shots. Take high-percentage shots. That's off Corey. >> [applause] >> And you know what? Now you can see Now they're back, Portsmouth back in that 1-2-2. Portsmouth was really feeding off of that run and the energy, the turnovers that they were forcing, and just Exeter making that basket kind of took them out of it. They're going to call that foul on Corey. >> [applause] >> Foul is on Douglas number 10, Leanna Corey. That is her
050second. Team foul. Defense! >> Nice pass. Nice screen from Mckays. Wow. Man. That I I feel like she got the ball down before she took that step. I don't know. Did you see anything, coach? >> Don't know. Don't know. That's what he's calling. Great defense there. Good drive. Better rebound. Yeah. Oh, push it. All right. The end of three. The exit of Blue Ox 28, Portsmouth 14. If you're Exeter, you're thinking that that missed layup by Portsmouth there, it was fantastic defense, great defense, but it's also a little bit of a ball not like kind of situation. You could tell they were a little frustrated by that travel call where, you know, they they seem to be calling it as she's taking the step before the ball gets down. The ref seemed to be seeing
051that. I agree with you. Ooh, you hear that, coach? >> not. >> Pinkerton is up three points, 37 to 34 with 4 minutes left in the game. Wow. Man. >> Okay. So, There's a That means if Pinkerton beats Nashua South, then Pinkerton will if we win come they will be here. Yes. on Thursday. And then Sorry, coach. Go ahead. No, and if Nashua South wins, then the winner of this game would go to South. Yes. And I was just about to point out Exeter's still not allowing a double-digit quarter from this Portsmouth team. That was seven points there in that third quarter for Portsmouth, which was their first and second quarter combined. So, they doubled their score. And you know, we'll see if Exeter, you know, this girls team only gets better as the game
052goes on. Their conditioning is fantastic and they really anchor down. So, let's see how Portsmouth will respond down 14. Okay. Uh you can't give her an open shot. Yeah, that's one of the rare times we've seen Portsmouth kind of get >> [cheering] >> They're going to call foul. That's >> Addie Lane, second foul. That was one of the rare times where we saw Portsmouth able to get a wide-open shot. It's not been easy for them to find a high percentage shot this game, but they found one there. Portsmouth coming out in man-to-man pressure. Man-to-man off the inbounds. And if you're Exeter here, you got to be okay with minimizing the amount of of shots that Portsmouth gets. Limit them to one shot at most each possession and take your time to find the shot on
053the offense side of the ball. Foul's on Addie Lane. Her third. But you know what, Robichaud has done a great job in the second half not picking up that fourth foul. Right, I agree. Nice pass. Yeah, Exeter kind of doing a little bit of the weave that we saw Manchester Central use in that game where they played Exeter. Nice pass. I think if you're Portsmouth, you guys start kind of Oh, and that's a trip. And that's her fourth. >> [applause] >> Yeah, that's That's tough for Portsmouth. You're playing a great defensive possession, pick up a foul. Number five, Malinausky in the game for Robichaud. Just Exeter's doing great job of making Portsmouth have to be aggressive. You know, they're not looking to rush a shot right now. They understand the lead that they have. Lexi
054Rogers, great job there. But as I was saying, coach, Portsmouth has to be aggressive, and that's going to create opportunities for Exeter to cause fouls and get some of these key guys, key girls for Portsmouth into foul trouble. Ooh, nice save. We've got 6 minutes to go. 6 little less than 6 and a half to go in the ball game. Yeah, you know I >> The Blue Hawks with a 14 point lead here. I think this one possession from Exeter on the offense side of the ball has been about a minute of game time. They had called foul there. >> [applause] >> Oh, it's McCauley is her her name. Time out Clippers. Yeah, and they kind of got burned one there. They got to draw some defensive scheme that will allow Exeter to put the
055ball in dangerous positions to turn the ball over where you know, you right now Exeter's just more than fine with passing the ball, not getting a 5 second, making sure they're advancing it, but maintaining possession and just winding down this clock. What they've got to do to me, if I'm Portsmouth, is you got to overplay and you've got to trap. If the ball goes into a trapping area, which is the sideline in the corner, either corner look to double up. Double team the ball. Really overplay the pass. You've got to leave somebody open, make it be the the girl farthest from the ball. >> Yeah. Yeah, definitely they they got to make Exeter put this ball in harm's way. And they got to try and make Exeter turn this ball over. As you were saying
056coach, you know, we saw Exeter do a great job of I believe it was Lucy had the ball right by half court. They pressured her and just kind of made her keep stepping back and they got a back court violation. Portsmouth has got to start doing some of that because Exeter we've seen it all year. They do not care how many points they put up. If they're winning, they're winning. They win the game through their defense and they're more than okay with this game staying at 28-14 for the Redhawks. >> I agree. And that's the best way to play basketball. It's just win. Lexi Rogers two Nicole Melchior inside for a basket. Double digits for Nicole Melchior. And that's got to feel good after getting a couple of travel calls called on you. Oh, get
057well. Good rebound. Just great defense there from Emmy K's. >> [applause] >> You know coach, I think they feel Emmy K's in herself is about five defenders. They trapped her there. >> Yeah. That's what it What did I tell you? That's what you got to do. Yeah. Double team the ball. Uh but as I was saying a little before that, Emmy K's that I think coach Rogers feels like she's five defenders in one. That's why they're kind of okay with her being on her own island with Lucy. Oh, great defense here from Nicole Melchior. Forces the turnover. Ah, tough shot. Oh. >> [cheering] >> Great hustle from Emmy K's. Ooh, I like the shot there from Portsmouth. I even like that shot even more. Just can't get to go. Ooh, better go pick it up.
058Yeah, I just That's foolish. And then they follow. >> [cheering] >> Oh, they call down Emmy Case. That's her third. Emmy Case is on her third. T first. Yeah, I would have liked to see just Exeter pick up that ball and just, you know, reset. >> right. It wasn't going to be a backcourt if they picked it up. It was off Portsmouth. So, the refs motioned motioning tip. Great defense there from the Mount Zion student. Oh, Lucy. Jenna Lucy. >> Lucy. Great job just getting being relentless. Honestly, just not allowing her to be denied. Oh, yeah, there you go. >> [cheering] >> Emmy Case to Nicole Melchior. Inside. Just great vision there from Emmy Case to see the open Nicole Melchior. Melchior made sure to put that hand up. She's already so tall and make
059sure Emmy Case can see her. Great job making the basket as well, capitalizing. Oh, nice shot. Addy Lane. But, if you're Portsmouth here, you can't go bucket bucket with Exeter. You got to get stops. Time out, Blue Hawks. 3 minutes and 40 seconds. 32 to 18. Do we have a update on the score? Yeah, you know, uh Oh. 41 to 40. 41-40, 25 seconds left. Pinkerton. Okay. Well, we're rooting for the Astros for a win. Yeah. And coach, I apologize. I thought you were asking me about some stats. So, I almost But, uh Well, give us some stats. >> Nicole Mallick leads Exeter 13 points, and she's tied with Lucy for, uh, the game high. Both have 13. The only difference is Nicole Mallick getting some help from girls like her sister, Jessica Mallick, and
060Emmy K's, whereas it's really just Lucy tonight for >> Portsmouth. Just Exeter's doing a great job of either shutting her down on the on the defensive side of the ball, or making it so she can't go anywhere else, and limiting the help from the other women that are out there with her. Yeah, I really I don't like that. >> [cheering] >> I didn't really like that. I didn't No, I didn't, either. They put it in a trap spot for Portsmouth. That's a two-pointer. And that's a foul. On Emmy K's. >> [applause] [cheering] >> That's her fourth. That's her fourth. She's She's got to be careful here. If I was coach Rogers, I'd even take her out save her for that you know, last 2 minutes just in case. Great closeout defense, but great rebound from
061Portsmouth. Portsmouth's getting more than one shot here as >> [applause] >> as we get close to 3 minutes to go in the game. They're getting more than one shot at the basket, but they haven't been all that successful at putting it in. No, you've seen they they had an opportunity under the basket. I believe it was a possession to go where they got it under the basket. They got their own rebound and missed the layup. Exeter was able to take it back the other way, but, you know, they're definitely doing a better job in not letting Exeter bully them on the boards, and we've seen teams struggle with that. So, it really speaks to Portsmouth's ability to play great basketball to be able to not let Exeter just dominate the boards like teams like Trinity
062had to deal with. Especially with the Meeks twins out there and Emmy K's. All three of them great rebounders. Three for Jolie Robichaud. >> [cheering] >> Nice pass. >> [cheering] >> And they have all the momentum right now. She's got to advance the ball. >> [cheering] >> She's trapped. Full timeout. Good timeout by Coach Rogers cuz that was going to be a turnover. 32-21, 2 minutes and 44 seconds to go. Much needed timeout there from Exeter. You know, almost got five second five straight points for Portsmouth. The lead's down to 11. You got to right now if I was Coach Rogers, I'd be discussing with the team try to stay away from the corners. Try to stay away from that middle line. Cannot let them trap you and make and make you make a mistake.
063>> I think we need to attack the basket right now. Right now, we've gone very passive Very for this entire quarter other than that one pass on a layup. Yeah. I think we need to You tell them no foolish shots. Yep. But attack the basket. Make them foul you. Yeah, you're definitely 100% correct. They They got a little conservative in this quarter. Yes, they did. Try Trying to just kind of let the clock wind down. Portsmouth was wanting them to know we're not done yet. We're not dead yet. We're going to you know, come back make you work for this win. Nashua came back 43 to 41. Oh, wow. So Is that a final? Nashua South ended up coming back and beating Pinkerton 41. Foul is on Addy Rogers. Her fourth. Or Addy Lane. It's
064two shots. First one's good. That shifts momentum a little bit. Make the second one. Oh. >> And she did. And you know what? Portsmouth's done a great job of limiting her scoring impact. I mean, she's the ninth leading scorer in Division 1 for points per game. She only has six today. Addy Lane. I like the shot there from Robichaud. Got to get some quick shots up here. Can't waste too much time picking and choosing your shot. This isn't the first quarter, second quarter, third quarter anymore. This is it. Great fake from Lexie Rogers there. Nice. >> [cheering and applause] >> Nicole Melchior to Kate Emmy K's inside. Nice job from Emmy K's just finding the open spot in the zone. And I think she's a little shocked at how open she was. She wanted to
065make sure she wasn't getting blocked. Good rebound. Nice defense, too. Just >> Washing her away from the basket. Just nothing easy. Good timeout. She's got one left, coach Rogers. Well, coach, if you're Portsmouth, being extra being in bonus here is extremely tough because you're now, you know, you can't play quite as aggressive because they'll just get free throws, but you know, you got to still try and stay in this game. There's a minute 32 left. You can't just put your head down and quit. Right. And I see uh Coach Chapple is got two got two of her seniors who haven't played and is putting them in the game right now. >> Yeah, and you know what? Actually, matter of fact, I you know, I actually take back the the statement I I said. You know,
066if you think that you know, there's not chance that you're going to be able to come back. I do think that you should get the seniors who don't get a chance to play their last basketball game, you know, get it get them in let them have their time, you know, so I take back that statement I made. Obviously you can't just quit, but if there's a minute 32 left you're down 15 and this team has you know, been one of the best defensive teams all year for Exeter and they just have been unstoppable tonight. Really doing about a perfect as perfect as a game as you can on the defense side of the ball. And right now they're doubling the ball. Yeah, and Exeter's just looking to kind of play keep away right now. Excuse
067me. Oh, well miscommunication there for Portsmouth. Had an opportunity to trap Lexie Rogers there but didn't. Foul. 56 seconds 36-21. Lexie Rogers at the line shooting two. And with 56 seconds to go coach that's about all she wrote. >> [applause] >> You know great game for Portsmouth. They really they they played a a good game. You know, just extra was the better team? Yeah, extra was the better team and extra was, you know, about as perfect as you can be on the defense side of the ball. There's just not much you can do. And, you know, if you're Portsmouth, at least you can hang your head on the fact that you had one of the best defenses, you know, barely allowing 33 points per game. A blocking foul. Oh, all the confusion for the for
068the >> Well, they shouldn't have allowed the subs on the first The subs shouldn't have come in on the first You know, you wait till the second shot. Oh. Nice pass. >> [screaming] >> Oh. Is this way Emma Gillis finding the the open teammate in number 11. That's Crowley. Good job there, but she drew the foul beforehand. 37-21, 15 seconds to go. The Blue Hawks will be on the road on Thursday. Going to Nashua South. Emma Gillis is at the line. Missed the first. Made the second. And man, this Exeter defense still just Nice shot there from Corey. Lianna Corey But that Exeter defense, man, they just did not give up. 38-23 is the final score. The toughest part of the The toughest part of the game is seeing the seniors. And they're on the
069road. That's the toughest part of these games is seeing the Oh, yeah. the kids after the loss, but >> Well, it's it's a long season. They put a lot into it. And now uh it's over. Yeah. Um but man, just Exeter can't speak highly enough of this this defense. It seems like they almost can't be stopped. You know, they tend to just play their game, and we saw them get out of the little out of their little bit, but they're quick to get back into it. Who uh player of the game, who do you have? I'll start off with Portsmouth and I think it's pretty obvious. It's going to be Jenna Lucy. I agree. 13 of the 23 points for Portsmouth and you know, she just really she kept them in that game. That's simple.
070>> Right. And then for Exeter, it's got to be Emmy Case. You know, for me she didn't have the most amount of points. That was Nicole Melch, she had 13, but she had the second most. She had eight points and she was all over the place. Defensive impact, rebounding impact, screen impact, made some great passes, great cuts. She's the inbound girl for the inbound play, so great job. I agree, but I would make it a co- and I would give also give it to Jessica Melch. >> Yep. 13 points. Uh high scorer, she put the ball in the basket when they needed it. And you're not going to win and if if you don't score. And that that was Nicole Melch. Sorry, I misspoke. I said Jessica Melch, but yeah. Yeah, Nicole Melch. >> 100%
071she she hit some huge threes that kind of killed momentum, huge layups, but just great job from Exeter here. And you know what coach, they didn't allow double digit points in any quarter. Yeah. Great win, great defensive win. Good luck to them going on the road Thursday. Now, don't forget we will be with you on Wednesday at 6:00 as the Exeter Blue Hawks will take on the Goffstown Grizzlies, the Exeter boys in action. I hope you join us. This is and you know, we want to give a [music] huge thank you to Eric Chellis 100%. >> and Corey Pebler who disappeared. But without Eric, we wouldn't be able to give you these games. It's a great honor. [music] So, for Bill Taylor and Tim Hollister, we'll say, we'll see you on Wednesday when the Exeter
072boys take on the Goffstown Grizzlies. Have a good night. >> [music] [music] >> Mhm.