Hilander Strong

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Members of this historic Peterborough High team  of 1967-78 were (back row, from left): Coach Sharon Derby, Sherry Carbee, Becky Morgan, Mary Ann Cuddihee, Joyce Tilton and Joyce Jarest. Front row (counterclockwise from left): Jane Stevens, Janie Hayes, Kathy Doscher, Wendy Carney, Wendy Peters and Janet Newton.

More strong hoop roots of Conval Nation…Years before the NHIAA began a state tournament for girls basketball, the Peterborough High Hilanders were one of the best teams in New Hampshire in the 1967-68 season, especially among smaller schools.

Under the leadership of Coach Sharon Derby, the Hilanders posted a 13-1 regular season record, including a 35-26 victory over Nashua High who hadn’t lost in five years!

At a year-end invitational tournament at Fall Mountain, the girls rallied from a 12-point halftime deficit to upend Lebanon, 42-37, in the first round. However, the host school had the upper hand in the championship where despite Janet Newton’s 17 points, the Wildcats held on for a 39-33 win. Nevertheless, the Hilanders' season was one of the best ever for girls' basketball at PHS.


(Up Route 202, Antrim High girls’ basketball would spin a similar story in the 1969-70 season. More on that great team later this winter.)


#highschoolbasketball

#newhampshire

#girlshoop

#historymatters

#rollcougs

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