By Marc Thaler
Staff Writer

Tyler Roche of Hooksett has earned the respect of his teammates because of his leadership skills. (Marc Thaler Photo)

HOOKSETT - Fresh off Manchester Central.s Class L semifinal win in the 2005 boys basketball tournament against Nashua North, Hooksett's Tyler Roche showcased a smile stretching ear to ear.

The CHS standout and soon-to-be state champion leaned against the wall outside the Little Green locker room while speaking with the media. In his grasp was, naturally, a basketball.

Currently, the path Roche is traveling suggests the 6-foot-7 forward actually holds the world . much like that basketball - in the palm of his hand.

And that makes this local member of the title-winning Little Green hoops team Neighborhood News. Super Shoes Athlete of the Month for March.

Just a high school junior, Roche has already received attention from several major-college basketball programs in two of the country's premier leagues - the Atlantic Coast Conference and Big East.

"I try not to think about it right now," Roche said of the attention prior to the Class L title game. "That's in the off-season. I don.t want to bring my teammates down, bring unnecessary pressure on myself, not play my game. I don.t think about that during the season."

In fact, Roche's only concern was making key contributions to the team, with the objective of winning the program's 16th boys hoops crown in school history.

"My teammates can all shoot, so I just try to be unselfish with the ball," Roche said. "I try to rebound, do all the other jobs. It's really fun to know that everyone can score on the team, can make a good pass. I just trust my teammates so much. They just make the right decisions."

And no better decision was made than the one involving senior point guard Matt Lemieux and Central's star forward in the final minutes of the state final.

The Little Green trailed Dover, 43-41, with less than two minutes to play in the title game. Coming out of a Central timeout, Lemieux found Roche for a threepointer that gave Gang Green the lead for good in an eventual 48-43 victory.

"Roche has been huge all year, and I.ve been getting a ton of assists to him all year," Lemieux said amidst the post-game chaos on the court. "If (teams) leave him open, I.m gonna find him. I knew he was gonna hit (the go-ahead three-pointer). Roche is clutch."

In his three games at Durham, the Hooksett resident gave the Little Green great production from his position.

After scoring a game-high 22 points against Winnacunnet of Hampton in the quarterfinals, Roche had nine points and 10 rebounds in the semifinals against No. 2 North. In the state finals, the CHS junior was good for 15 points and eight boards.

"He's a Division I (college) player. We're lucky to have him," said Central head coach David "Doc" Wheeler. "He's a once-in-a-generation type of kid. He's a wonderful kid with a 3.5 grade point average. He's humble. He's just a wonderful young man."

Perhaps what's most remarkable about Roche is the respect he's earned from teammates, both older and younger. Although he owns an extraordinary ability to play basketball, Roche fits in flawlessly with his peers because he treats people the proper way, Wheeler said.

"That's God-given (and) from his parents," the coach said. "He demonstrates humility all the time. A lot of kids look up to him and he just handles himself the way a young man should. He sets a great example for our younger players."

He also sets up Central to be the Class L team to beat in 2006.

(Editor's Note: The Athlete of the Month receives a $50 gift certificate, courtesy of Super Shoes.)