HUDSON, N.H. — Cinderella's slipper didn't fit after all.
After a first round upset over No. 5-seed Manchester Central, the No. 13-seed Londonderry boys basketball team fell in the Class L quarterfinals to another tourney surprise, No. 12-seed Alvirne, 54-42. The loss marks the fifth straight season the Lancers have been ousted in the quarterfinals.
Londonderry senior Chris Crutcher led the Lancers with 13 points while fellow senior T.J. Martinez chipped in 11. For Alvirne, 6-foot-5 center Brennan Donnelly had 12 points and 6-4 forward Ryan Sweeney had a game-high 17.
"I'm proud of this team," said coach Jim Zorbas. "It was nice to see our kids respond the way they did the other night against Central and how they competed tonight. It just wasn't our night shooting the ball."
The Lancers struggled to maintain an offensive rhythm all night. With Sweeney and Donnelly controlling the paint, many of Londonderry's shots came from beyond the 3-point line. However, the Lancers finished just 4 of 25 from beyond the arc.
"The three has been one of our biggest strengths all season long," said Zorbas. "I thought that most of those 25 three's were good shots and good looks at the basket but, for whatever reason, they just didn't fall. We were just waiting for a couple of those to start dropping, but they never did."
With the gym packed to capacity, both teams struggled shooting the ball coming out of the gates. Defense played a key role in dictating the tempo of the game for the majority of the first half as neither team ever established a comfortable lead. The half ended at 22-20 in favor of Alvirne.
After Alvrine jumped out to an eight-point lead early in the third quarter, Zorbas called a time out and his team responded. A David Feinstein (5 points) floater in the lane followed by a pull-up 3-pointer jump-started the offense as Londonderry went on an 8-0 run, tying the game just before the end of the quarter.
Alvrine's front line of Donnelly and Sweeney proved too much, however, and the fourth quarter was controlled largely by Alvrine, outscoring Londonderry 14-7 and getting the win to move on to the semifinals against No. 1 Trinity.
"My hat is off to Alvrine, they did exactly what they needed to do," said Zorbas.
Alvirne 54, Londonderry 42
Class L Quarterfinals
Londonderry (42): Feinstein 2-0-5, Colby 3-0-8, Crutcher 2-9-13, Sanborn 1-0-3, Martinez 4-3-11, Bintz 1-0-2, Flanders 0-0-0. Totals 13-12-42
Alvirine (54): C. Donnelly 4-3-13, O'Hearn 0-5-5, Porter 0-2-2, Goldsack 2-1-5, Sweeney 6-5-17, B. Donnelly 5-2-12. Totals 17-18-54
3-pointers: L — Colby 2, Feinstein, Sanborn; A — C. Donnelly 2
Londonderry (9-14):10âÇ10âÇ15âÇâÇ7 — 42
Alvirne (10-10):10âÇ12âÇ18âÇ14 — 54
The heroic story of Adam Taliaferro
Jason Babin tackles a different job for the day
Jason Babin believes in a Randy Moss comeback
Are there better WR options for the Eagles on the free-agent market?
The Sixers are able to hold off the lowly Bobcats
The Sixers showed maturity in closing out the Bobcats
Collins on not overlooking the Bobcats
Michael Eric's presence is undeniable for Temple
The Sixers are not taking anyone lightly
Spring training is right around the corner
Moving day: Phils' gear en route to Clearwater
Will the Flyers make a move at the trade deadline?
Timonen "disappointed" in teammates' effort
Morganti: 'Rangers' power play demolished the Flyers'
Timonen: 'I think we got half the guys going and half the guys not'
More shootout woes in store for the Flyers when they face the Red Wings?
The Rangers have the Flyers' number
St. Joseph's vs. Massachusetts Highlights - 2/11
Penn vs. Dartmouth Highlights - 2/11
Drexel vs. Hofstra Highlights - 2/11
Red Sox early arrivals in Fort Myers
Curran: Patriots had 'tepid' interest in Moss in '11
Ortiz, Red Sox meet in the middle
Merloni: Red Sox need another arm
Julien: In a 'must good-game' situation
Julien: 'did it the hard way'
McAdam's Spring Training primer
Doc: Team's effort is 'un-Celtic'
Pierce stresses mental toughness
Globe 10.0 Who was the best free agent in Boston?
Maria Menounos dons a Giants-colored bikini after losing Super Bowl bet-2/7
Thomas' moratorium: 'I'm out, peace'
Gasol: 'Not pleasant' being part of trade rumor
Blakely: Gasol-for-Rondo trade unlikely
Brady-ing is Latest Internet Meme
Globe 10.0: Is Paul Pierce the Celtics greatest scorer?
Ranking Pierce among Celtics greats
Garnett's tale of first meeting Paul Pierce
Pierce's loyalty touted after big night
Hurt Locker: Patriots react to Super Bowl loss
