By Roger Brown
MaxPreps.com
The ninth annual Queen City Invitational Basketball Tournament turned out to be a repeat performance for Manchester Central and junior point guard Christiana Bakolas.
As was the case last year, Bakolas led her team to the tournament title and was named the event’s most valuable player. She collected 20 points, six assists, six rebounds and four steals to help Central defeat cross-city rival Trinity, 59-53, in the championship game.
“She does a lot of everything,” Central coach Mike Wenners told the Manchester Union Leader. “It’s nice to give her the ball and know that in crunch time she’ll make a play.”
Central posted a 3-0 record in the eight-team tournament, which included Manchester West, Hollis-Brookline, Souhegan, Goffstown, Manchester Memorial and Nashua South.
Central also received significant contributions from guards Sam Walker (10 points) and Keily Funk (eight).
Center Karima Gabriel led Trinity with 17 points, 10 rebounds and four blocked shots.
It was the third consecutive Queen City Invitational title for Central.
Boys Basketball: Late Basket Lifts Trinity
Jordan Laguerre was in the right spot at the right time.
Laguerre, a junior guard, grabbed an offensive rebound and scored what turned out to be the game-winning shot with 23 seconds to play as Trinity defeated Merrimack, 47-45, in the Queen City Invitational Basketball Tournament’s boys championship game.
Laguerre, who was named the tournament’s MVP, led all scorers with 16 points. He scored eight of Trinity’s 11 points in the final quarter. Laguerre also had six rebounds, six steals and blocked two shots.
Merrimack trailed 25-16 at halftime, but pulled even on an Eric Watson layup with 1:25 to play. After Laguerre broke the tie, Merrimack failed to score on its final two possessions.
Watson led Merrimack with 14 points. Anthony Floras was the only other Merrimack player who scored in double figures.
Football: UMass Lands Birt
Laconia running back/defensive back Christian Birt gave a verbal commitment to the University of Massachusetts on Dec. 24.
Birt rushed for 1,171 yards last season, when he helped Laconia secure a berth in the Division IV championship game. He scored 24 touchdowns during the 2008 season, 19 of which came on the ground. His final TD came during a 14-7 loss to Plymouth in the Division IV championship game.
Massachusetts competes in the Colonial Athletic Association’s North Division, a league that includes the University of New Hampshire.
Birt, who received interest from Boston College, also helped Laconia win the 2007 Division IV title. He rushed for 1,308 yards and 18 TDs on 150 carries as a junior, when Laconia capped an 11-0 season by beating Hanover, 35-14, in the Division IV championship game. He also intercepted six passes that season.
Wrestling: Timberlane Starts on Top
Despite having a roster with little varsity experience, Timberlane won its ninth consecutive Division I title last season. Opponents will be dealing with a much more seasoned Timberlane team this winter.
Timberlane entered the 2008-09 season as the clear favorite in Division I. Senior Brian Nicoll (285 pounds), senior Cam Sullivan (125) and junior Alex Smith (130) will help the Owls attempt to win their 17th overall Division I/Class L title. The Owls have also won a record six New England championships.
“We return a lot of talent from last year’s state and New England championship team,” Timberlane coach Barry Chooljian said. “Expectations this year are high.”
