Hanover 58, Bishop Brady 18: Hosts score boys basketball game’s first 28 points

Hanover HIgh's Ryan McLaughlin pauses before going up for a layup against Bishop Brady's Jake Blanchette during the NHIAA Division II teams' Dec. 22, 2023, game in Hanover, N.H. Hanover won, 58-18, with McLaughlin leading all scorers with 19 points. (Valley News - Tris Wykes) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com. —Tris Wykes

Hanover High's Jackson Lobb (15) moves around a pick set by teammate Caleb Buskey (25) on Bishop Brady's Alex Pelletier during the NHIAA Division II teams' Dec. 22, 2023, game in Hanover, N.H. Hanover won, 58-18, and improved to 3-1 this season. (Valley News - Tris Wykes) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com. —Tris Wykes

Hanover High's Dave Frechette (20) races up court against Bishop Brady opponents including Owen Thornton, right. Hanover won the NHIAA Division II game, 58-18, on Dec. 22, 2023, in Hanover, N.H. (Valley News - Tris Wykes) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com. valley news — Tris Wykes

Bishop Brady High's Alex Pelletier holds the ball while surrounded by Hanover High's Dave Frechette (20) and Roy Lucas (11) and the Green Giants' Ryan Casey during the NHIAA Division II teams' Dec. 22, 2023, in Hanover, N.H. Hanover won, 58-18. (Valley News - Tris Wykes) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com. valley news photographs — Tris Wykes

Hanover High's Ryan McLaughlin dribbles past Bishop Brady's Todd Sheppard during the NHIAA Division II teams' Dec. 22, 2023 game in Hanover, N.H. Hanover won, 58-18, with McLaughlin scoring 19 points. (Valley News - Tris Wykes) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com. —Tris Wykes

By TRIS WYKES

Valley News Staff Writer

Published: 12-25-2023 1:31 PM

HANOVER — The Hanover High boys basketball team routed Bishop Brady on Friday night, 58-18. The Bears led, 28-0, after a quarter and handed the overmatched Green Giants (0-3) a holiday gift by scoring only five points during the fourth quarter.

Point guard Ryan McLaughlin led the hosts with 19 points, followed by 6-foot-3 forward Christian Blix with 14 points and post man Jaysen Oriol with 12.

“We’ve proven our defensive intensity and focus is very consistent,” said second-year Hanover coach Ben Davis, whose 3-1 team forced turnovers throughout the NHIAA Division II contest. “We’ve been up and down offensively, so we’ve got to play unselfishly on that end so we have consistent possessions with good shots.”

The Bears have gotten the ball up the floor quickly thus far and passed beautifully at times against Bishop Brady. Oriol, in particular, whipped the ball out from scrambles under the basket, allowing teammates open, outside shots.

“Our guys are more confident this season,” said Davis, whose 2022-23 team started the season with a long winless streak before narrowly missing the playoffs.

“Blix is a key player for us who knows where everyone’s supposed to be, and he can score inside or outside. He’s done a nice job this season of varying his game, being a driver, a shooter and a passer.”

Sophomore Wyatt Daigle showed flashes of genuine contribution. Also a baseball and football player, the forward brings a sturdy body and a physical rebounding presence.

“He gives us some toughness; he’s a banger inside,” Davis said. “I think he’ll really progress as the season goes on.”

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