Division 2 Semis

Great Division 1 games but how about D2? Who moves on? Thoughts on teams?

Souhegan is playing with a lot of emotion and is coming off an upset of #2 Portsmouth (in Portsmouth), while Lebanon has some quality wins to their credit. Brandon Len has a nice supporting cast, and if Jake Kennedy can stay out of foul trouble Souhegan has a very good chance for an upset.

Coe-Brown finds themselves in Durham for the second year in a row as a low seed. They upset Pembroke in the quarterfinals last year, so Pembroke will be looking for redemption. Pembroke is well balanced, as Patrick Welch is not putting up the 30ppg that he did earlier in the season. The clock will strike midnight for the Cinderella Bears from Coe-Brown, as I see Pembroke winning going away.

There is so much going on for both teams in the 6:00 pm game. Souhegan and Lebanon have persevered to get to this point. This game will be a very close. It should be low scoring.

Pembroke had the right part of the bracket. They try to take the slipper off Coe Brown's feet. Pembroke has it all laid out for them. They have to pressure and uptempo the entire game. They do not want Coe Brown hanging around going into the 4th quarter.

Final Souhegan 53 Lebanon 45

Len 21 Kennedy 12 Ford 8

Morrill 15 Hampton 10

End of 1 Pembroke 15 Coe Brown 11

Half Pembroke 32 Coe Brown 18

Welch with 21 points on 9 - 10 from the field

6 minutes left in 4th Pemby 48 Coe Brown 27

Welch with 25 points Persons 10 points

Some thoughts on the D2 Semis before I head to the other side of the fence on the NHN to write up the Souhegan victory.

Pat Welch's first half performance was phenomenal tonight. He had 21 points on 9 - 10 shooting. He was 2 - 2 on 3 pt attempts and 1 - 1 from the FT line. Last year he had speed and skill. This year he's added one more S word: Strength. He can finish so much better now. He can get his shot up against contact. He now has the perfect blend of skill, speed and strength. He can hang and let the defense contact him or go by the D when he slashes to the hoop. His shot is so smooth and fluid from the outside. He has length with his long arms.

Tanner Kent did an outstanding defensive job on Lebanon's Dave Hampton. Hampton scored 30 against Souhegan the last time they played. Hampton was held to 10 tonight.

Dominick Morrill had a nice overall game for Lebanon. He scored 15 points, but it seemed like he scored 25. He had 5 rebounds and 3 steals. He was in position for a lot of positive things for Lebanon.

The Coe Brown faithful were awesome. There was a sea of red and they had their live band. The Coe Brown band is loud and funky. They dance to the rythym of the night. Just a great atmosphere for the pre game with Pembroke and Coe Brown.

Brandon Len was very emotional after the victory. He hugged Dave Hampton after the game. They had some nice complimentary words with each other. After Len shook the hands of the Lebanon team he came across the court and had a long emotional hug with one of his youth basketball coaches. Beautiful pieces of basketball time.

Pembroke runs the table, finishing 22-0 by defeating Souhegan 49-41 in the D-II Championship.