SUNAPEE, N.H. – The 6th annual “Let’s Hoop It Up” jamboree took place on Wednesday as Lebanon, Mascoma, Fall Mountain and Sunapee girls basketball squared off for a final tune-up before the season begins on Friday.
This event takes place to remember Ed Kehoe and what he gave to Sunapee and the area as his teams collected over 350 victories and three state titles during his tenure for the Lakers.
Sunapee second-year head coach Stephanie Larpenter has high hopes for this year’s squad that finished with a 10-8 record last year but bowed out in the tournament.
“We have 8 players returning plus three new additions that I feel will give us a good shot at making a deep run into the playoffs this season.” said Larpenter in between games. “We’re healthy and we’ll be quick this year and I expect to run as much as the game allows… this team has four great senior leaders and a fantastic team attitude.”
Sunapee opened the night against a quick Mascoma team and then faced Fall Mt in the nightcap. “I saw what I wanted to tonight and our scrappy play will be a trademark this year… I can’t wait to get going,” said Larpenter after the jamboree.
The other local team tonightin action traveled from Langdon with a new coach on board. Matt Baird-Torney will lead the young but experienced Wildcats this season.
“We have 22 players in the program which includes two seniors and two juniors, but we have experience and depth,” said Baird-Torney. “Our strength will be our defense and perimeter shooting. I fully expect to not only make the post season but keep improving each week as we expect to peak right around tournament time,” added Baird-Torney.
Fall Mt locked up with Division II power Lebanon and “matched up pretty well on a successful evening,” said Baird-Torney, “… and we ramped up our aggressiveness in the second game… shooting will not be an issue for us this year, we have scorers.”
“Ed Kehoe had such an impact on basketball and this jamboree is a great way to remember Ed and all the amazing things he did for Sunapee… he was a great guy and his wit and bantering will never be forgotten,” said Sunapee Athletic Director Tom Frederick.
Sunapee opens at home on Friday hosting last year’s Division IV champion Hinsdale at 6 p.m. while the Wildcats will entertain Raymond at 7 p.m.
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