By Roger Brown
MaxPreps.com
The Nashua South boys basketball team put an end to the state's longest winning streak when it handed Manchester Central a 56-53 loss Friday night in Nashua.
Central, which has won the last two Class L championships, entered the game having won 46 games in a row. The team's last loss came during the 2004-05 season.
Nashua South didn't own a lead until senior Michael Chroney made back-to-back 3-pointers in the third quarter. Chroney finished the game with 14 points and eight rebounds.
"We've seen him dribble-penetrating to the basket, but we've never seen him shoot from 15 feet or more," Central coach Dave Wheeler told the Nashua Telegraph. "(The 3-pointers) were huge baskets, momentum-turners."
"We've been talking to Michael for a long time," added Nashua South coach Nate Mazerolle. "He'll have great stretches and then get a little tentative and lose his confidence a little bit.
"The last few days it's been Michael every time. It's a catch phrase: `Every time you catch it you try to score.' He really took it to heart tonight."
Nashua South received a team-high 15 points from Sammy Alexanian and raised its record to 10-2. The Panthers stretched their winning streak to seven games - the longest streak in Class L.
Central's record fell to 11-1. The Little Green dropped to second place, behind Salem. Spaulding handed Salem (12-1) its first loss, 77-69, last Tuesday. Nashua South and Bishop Guertin (10-2) are tied for third.
Central's Josh Last led all scorers with 17 points, but did not score in the final quarter.
Nashua South made 19 of its 35 shots from the field (54 percent) and overcame a nine-point deficit against a team known for its sticky defense.
Gymnastics: Salem Captures State Title
Although no Salem gymnast finished among the top three in any event, and the team's top scorer in the all around (Leanne Vadala) placed 11th, the Blue Devils won the state's gymnastics championship Saturday at Salem High School.
Salem (135.050) fended off Londonderry (132.525), Manchester Central (131.325) and Concord (129.750). It was the second most points Salem scored in a meet this season.
The top individual performance was turned in by Central's Nicole Simoneau, who won the all-around title by finishing among the top six in each event. She'll compete in all four floor exercises at the New England championships.
Swimming and Diving: Dover, Keene Claim Championships
The Dover girls and Keene boys finished first at Saturday's swimming and diving state championships held at the University of New Hampshire.
Dover earned 153 points to finish ahead of Hollis-Brookline (139), St. Thomas Aquinas (124), Londonderry (122) and Nashua North (108).
Keene dominated the boys event and earned 247 points. The top five included Pinkerton Academy (154), Oyster River (97), Merrimack (89) and Souhegan (87).
Football: Two Sign with DI Programs
Nashua North defensive end Kendall Reyes and Bishop Guertin offensive lineman Mark Spinney were the only in-state players who committed to Division I football programs this year. Each signed a national letter of intent on Wednesday, the earliest date players could make official commitments.
Reyes is headed to the University of Connecticut. Spinney backed out of a verbal commitment to Syracuse and will play for Boston College.
Girls Soccer: Miller Wins Postseason Honor
Bishop Guertin senior Lindsey Miller was named the 2006-07 New Hampshire Gatorade Player of the Year last Thursday.
Miller, a 5-6 senior, missed the start of the season with a sprained ankle, but collected 18 goals and nine assists in 13 games. The Cardinals finished their season with a 10-8 record following a loss in the Class L tournament's quarterfinal round.