By DAN BARILE
Eagle Times Correspondent
LANGDON, N.H. — Making the playoffs was a major accomplishment for Fall Mountain last season after posting a 3-13 record during the previous campaign.
With most of their core coming back, the Wildcats entered the season in pursuit of more than just a return trip to the postseason.
On Tuesday night at The Den, Fall Mountain checked another goal off its list, defeating ninth-seeded Raymond, 59-49, to advance to the NHIAA Division 3 quarterfinals.
“This win is so great for the program,” Fall Mountain Head Coach Nate Haskell said. “These kids have helped change the culture.”
Fall Mountain held a 16-12 edge after the first eight minutes of play before extending their lead with an 8-0 run to open the second quarter. The Wildcats continued to clamp down on the defensive end and entered the half with a 25-15 advantage.
Senior forward Ledger Willett has had the hot hand for Fall Mountain on several occasions this season after halftime, and Tuesday night was no different. Willett poured in 10 points during the third quarter to help the hosts claim a 44-27 advantage entering the final frame.
Despite a seemingly safe cushion for the Wildcats, Raymond roared back to within four points following an 18-4 run to open the fourth quarter. With senior standout Dre Duffault scoring almost at will, Fall Mountain needed to find a way to lock-in again on the defense end. With the Rams trailing by six, Fall Mountain reserve Max Wyman stepped in front of Duffault to take his second charge of the night with 52 seconds left to play. The hosts held Raymond scoreless the rest, while draining four out of six free throws to hold on for a 10-point victory.
“We played great team defense and handled the pressure they put on us late,” Haskell said. “Everyone stepped up and it was a total team effort.”
Ledger Willett paced Fall Mountain with 24 points and Luke St. Pierre added 21. Dre Duffaut was Raymond’s top scorer with 28 points.
Eighth-seeded Fall Mountain (12-5) heads to top-seeded Belmont (17-1) for its quarterfinal matchup on Friday. Belmont earned a 52-36 victory against Fall Mountain last season in the opening round of the playoffs.
“I’m proud of all these kids but we still have work to do on Friday,” said Haskell. “[Belmont] is great and we have to be ready for them. Coach Martinez has done an outstanding job there, but every game starts 0-0 so we will go lay it on the line for 32 minutes.”
