By DAN BARILE
Eagle Times Correspondent
NEWPORT, N.H. — After reaching the semifinals last season and returning First Team All-State player Noah Whipple, it seemed as though the Kearsarge Cougars would cruise to victory in their season opener at Newport.
While the final score suggests they did just that, Newport gave Kearsarge all they could handle in the first half during the Cougars 72-47 win.
With Newport holding a 10-7 lead, Aaron Fellows executed a play that sent the home crowd into a frenzy. Anticipating a pass toward midcourt, Fellows intercepted the ball and took-off down floor for an emphatic slam dunk.
The Tigers entered the second quarter with a 16-12 edge and maintained their advantage until Kearsarge increased the pace of play midway through the period. With the defensive pressure dialed up, Kearsarge forced several turnovers that led to easy baskets. Noah Whipple, Austin Needham, and Eli Whipple combined for 17 second quarter points as Kearsarge overtook the Tigers for a 31-26 lead entering the half.
The Cougars continued to pounce to open the second half as they went on a 13-2 run over the first 3-and-a-half minutes of play. Newport traded baskets with Kearsarge the rest of the period, but the damage had been done as the Cougars entered the final frame with a 15-point advantage.
The hosts cut the lead to 11 in the fourth quarter before their comeback bid was brought to a quick halt. Kearsarge put together a 10-0 run to put the game seemingly out of reach with just over 3 minutes remaining.
Noah Whipple led Kearsarge (1-0) with 17 points, Austin Needham was next with 16, and Eli Whipple added 13. Aaron Fellows was the top scorer for Newport (0-1) with 16 points, Travis Avery followed with 9, and Aidan Couitt had 7.
