Nashua Boys Split Conference Games

Nashua’s boys basketball team split their conference games this past week to maintain their number-two position in District 3C with a 5-3, 9-5 overall record. The Porcupines beat the North Country Mavericks 56-50 at home Friday before losing a 64-49 contest in Dodson to the Coyotes the following night.

The Porcupines held a 2-point lead, 16-14, over the Mavericks at the end of the first. Nashua was outscored 12-11 in the second to carry a 27-26 lead into the second half. In the third, Nashua put up 14 while holding North Country to 11 points. The Porcupines had 17 chances at the line in the final quarter, hitting nine of those, as they outscored North Country 15-13 for the win.

Grady Nielsen drained 10-of-16 free throws on his way to 30 points in leading the Porcupines. Xander Pugh hit five shots from downtown and 1-of-3 free throws for 16 points. Damon Adkins and Caden Laumeyer each scored 4 with Adkins turning in a 2-for-2 showing at the line. Bubba Pugh added a bucket. The Porcupines hit 62 percent at the free throw line.

North Country racked up 20 fouls, 15 after halftime, while Nashua held theirs to 13, seven in the second half. X. Pugh was called for four and Laumeyer had three fouls. Adkins, B. Pugh and Nielsen drew two whistles each.

Nashua had 33 rebounds, 10 offensive, with 13 assists, 23 turnovers, seven steals and four blocks.

Nielsen pulled down 20 boards, Laumeyer 11, Adkins five, B. Pugh four and X. Pugh three. Laumeyer led in assists with four followed by Nielsen and B. Pugh with three each. X. Pugh addd two and Adkins one helper. Nielsen had 10 turnovers, B. Pugh six, Adkins and X. Pugh three each, and Laumeyer one. X. Pugh and B. Pugh had two takeaways while Adkins, Nielsen and Laumeyer each had a steal. Adkins and Nielsen both had two blocks.

The following night in Dodson, Nashua held a 12-11 lead at the end of the first quarter but fell behind after a 22-point showing by the Coyotes in the second. Trailing 33-20 at the half, the Porcupines were outscored 11-9 in the third to trail 44-29 heading into the final eight minutes, where both teams put up 20 points.

Nielsen scored 16 for Nashua with a trey and 3-for-5 shooting at the line. X. Pugh hit four three-pointers and 2-of-2 free throws for 14 points. Adkins hit a three on his way to 9 and Laumeyer scored 8 from the floor. Charlie Kaasa added a bucket. Nashua shot just 38 percent from the charity stripe.

Dodson was called for 14 fouls, split evenly between the halves, while Nashua had 18 violations, also split evenly between the halves. Nielsen and Adkins drew four fouls each while B. Pugh and Jackson Abern had three a piece. X. Pugh and Laumeyer each caught the officials’ attention twice.

The Porcupines had 34 rebounds, seven offensive, with 16 assists, 28 turnovers, five steals and two blocks.

Nielsen grabbed 15 boards, Laumeyer eight, Adkins four, and X. Pugh and B. Pugh three each. Adkins had nine turnovers while X. Pugh and Nielsen each had six giveaways, B. Pugh four and Laumeyer three. X. Pugh had two steals with Adkins, Laumeyer and Kaasa getting a takeaway each. X. Pugh and Nielsen each had a block.

Nashua travels to Frazer Friday, Feb. 3, to take on the Bearcubs with a 5:30 p.m. varsity girls game and a 7 p.m. boys varsity game. The Porcupines will be in Brockton Saturday, Feb. 4, for a 4 p.m. varsity girls game and a 5:30 p.m. varsity boys game against the Warriors.