RallyNorth.net

HOOKSETT, N.H. | A tough day from the floor and three key players fouling out is a recipe for disaster.

It was just such a fate that befell fifth-seeded Pinkerton in its 37-33 loss to No. 4 Merrimack before 246 fans at Southern New Hampshire University in the quarterfinals of the Class L tournament yesterday.

The dice came up with a pair of nines for the Timberlane wrestling team at the Division 1 state meet yesterday, and they were big winners.

The Owls, thanks to a shocking 9-for-9 performance in the semifinals earlier in the day, cruised to their ninth straight Division 1 crown in resounding fashion.

Salem breezed past Merrimack 70-50. Mike Kimball had a big night, scoring 16 of his 23 points in the second half. Josh Frederico scored seven points and dished out nine assists and Alex LaRosa added eight points.

Andrew Pescia looked at the ball sitting just 12 yards away from him in the 38th minute of the Class L state final. He was on the verge of making the most important play of his career.

Lined up opposite him was Brad Hilton, Merrimack's star midfielder.

MERRIMACK, N.H. | The winless Merrimack football team had just put its first points of the evening on the board and in the process had cut a once imposing Timberlane lead to just 10.

All of a sudden, the packed Merrimack stands came to life and a blue wave of newfound optimism rippled through the bleachers.