FARMINGTON, NH – If being able to go on the road and win a tight game in a hostile environment is a sign of championship pedigree, the Holy Family Academy boys basketball team definitively checked that box Friday night.
The sixth-ranked Griffins traveled to 3rd-seeded Farmington and edged the hosts, 69-67, in overtime to advance to the Division-IV semifinals.
“It was not as I expected,” said Holy Family head coach Keith Lacasse. “I was hoping for a similar game to what we had with Hinsdale (a runaway victory in the first round on Monday). (Farmington) was a tough battle the entire time game.”
Indeed, Holy Family fell behind early and trailed by six after the first quarter, but rallied in the second to take a 32-27 lead into halftime.
“The Farmington fans were incredibly energetic,” said Lacasse. “Obviously, they were rooting for the wrong team, but it made that gym just a great atmosphere to play a playoff game.”
The second half saw the two D-IV heavyweights trade blows back and forth all the way to the buzzer with no clear winner as the teams ended regulation knotted in a 60-60 draw.
But the Griffins stood tall when it mattered most to earn the two-point triumph and advance to the final four for the second year in a row.
“Our free-throw shooting was better than their free-thow shooting,” said Lacasse. “That was probably the difference in the game.”
Next up for the Griffins is 19-1 Concord Christian, the tournament third seed. The contest is a rematch of season’s Division-IV semifinal where Concord Christian earned a convincing victory.
This year, however, Holy Family has the experience, aptitude and attitude to take down its Capital City foe, said Lacasse.
“They’ve beaten us both games this year, but those have been good games,” said Lacasse of the a 67-63 home setback on Jan. 4 and a 44-83 road loss on Jan. 23.
“Last year’s final four game was not great for us,” he added, “but we’ve been there before and we won’t have the jitters we had last year. W’re prepared and ready, so it’ll just come down to whose shots fall.”
Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at Merrimack Valley High School in Penacook.
