By Marc Thaler
Staff Writer

Manchester West’s initial eight minutes of Class L girls playoffaction was a repeat of the team’s 2004-05 regular season.

With her team trailing, 38-19, in the third quarter of West’s Class L tourney opener at Bishop Guertin, Hooksett’s Morgan Major made a strong move along the baseline. The junior’s shot attempt was denied, as were many of the Blue Knights’ possessions in the paint, during a 65-42 defeat. (Marc Thaler Photo)

West won its first five games on the calendar, only to lose its next seven. Visiting fourth-seeded Bishop Guertin of Nashua on Wednesday, March 2, the No. 11 Blue Knights came out on fire, but the flame quickly fizzled.

West raced out to an impressive 7-0 lead before BG responded with eight straight points. The locals trailed at the end of the first frame, 14-12, and ultimately lost, 65-42.

“I was speechless. We couldn’t catch the ball. It’s like they hadn’t played before,” said West head coach Don Pinard. “It was just real, real frustrating. And I’m sure they were frustrated because they know the type of team they can be.”

Without question, West had the ability to do some wonderful things, namely score with its fast-break style of play.

BG head coach Eric Vallecillo was well aware of the threat West posed.

“Those are tough, tough kids,” Vallecillo said of West. “They’ve got a knack to score. They’re quick. They see the floor well and they run. This is the best transition Class L team by far.”

But West’s run-and-gun offense also allowed teams to expose a glaring weakness. The Blue Knights had trouble with their transition defense – the biggest reason for the lopsided loss at BG. And that first quarter in Nashua told the tale of the ’04- ’05 Blue Knights and their inconsistency on the court. The Blue Knights entered the playoffs, 9-9. The team statistics confirmed their .500 status.

Prior to the playoffs, West scored a total of 1,090 points in 18 games, surrendering 1,089. When the Blue Knights won, they averaged 66.4 points per game, allowed 54.4, winning by an average of 12.

When the locals lost, the numbers were flipped, but almost identical.

In defeat, West would allow 66.6 points per game, pour in 54.7, and lose by an average of 11.9.

Early in their lengthy losing streak, the Blue Knights traveled to Trinity. There, Pinard said the Pioneers provided a league-wide statistical analysis that was quite interesting, if not a bit disturbing.

The stat sheet listed every Class L team and its rankings, both offensively and defensively.

“We were right at the top offensively, right next to Trinity,” said Pinard, whose team posted 70-plus points three times at that juncture of the season.

“Defensively, we were at the bottom. Spaulding (which finished 1-17, tied for last place) was better than us.”

Standing up for his team, Pinard said the season-long defensive numbers were deceiving.

West’s quick-fire attack also allowed opponents to receive more scoring opportunities.

Still, the inability to consistently get back on defense – at least against BG – coupled with rebounding difficulties, were key factors in the Blue Knights’ downfall.

“We just had a total meltdown,” Pinard said. “I think our legs were shot. We had some tough games at the end of the year. That’s our style. We’ve run all year. I just think it caught up with us in the end.”

Game notes
In her final game for the Blue Knights, senior Stephanie Houghton led the West scoring attack with 20 points.