Things Began in a Big Way

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The '71-'72 Cougars feature 6'4" Scott Balfour (left) and 6'6" Bruce Richardson (right).

In the middle 1970s, Conval’s smallish lineups earned them the nickname of “Munchkins.” Not so in the high school’s first two years when the Cougars were led first by 6’4” center Dick Blood, and in the 1971-72 season when Scott Balfour (left) at 6’4”and Bruce Richardson (right) at 6’6” towered over Coach Ray Richard.

After graduating most of the starters from the previous year’s 16-4 team, little was expected of the second-year Cougars. Even Coach Richard, when asked if he was optimistic, quipped: “Not too. I’m a natural pessimist. I don’t get disappointed that way. It takes time to learn my system.”

But learn it they did, starting the season with a stunning road win over a powerful Somersworth squad, followed by an equally shocking home-opening win against highly-rated Monadnock. Playing a schedule of Class I (D2) heavyweights, the young Cougars surprised everyone by qualifying for the state tournament with a 10-10 record. The storybook season ended in the first round, however, when the 12th-seeded Cougars led fifth-ranked Monadnock the entire way but fell in the final seconds, 69-67.

In addition to Balfour and Richardson, the 1971-72 Cougars included leading scorer Paul Boule, John Davies, Tom Lithgow, Jim Carlson, Carl Newton, Joe Reilly, Don Blair, John Banks, Kevin Chapman, and John Cuddihee.

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