Golden Era of Hoop

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When the invitational state tournament at UNH was divided into two divisions in 1930, Peterborough High was selected by the tournament committee every year but one in the 1930s and through the 1941-’42 season—a remarkable string of 12 of 13 seasons as being recognized as one of the top hoop programs in all of New Hampshire!

From the 1930 to 1937 seasons, Peterborough High held the best record of anyone in the state in Class B, won the championship four times, and claimed runner-up twice. 

Wow! Because of gas rationing due to the war effort, no tournament was held in the 1943 season, but Peterborough High was again among the elite invitees in 1944-’45. Two seasons later, the New Hampshire State Athletic Association, now the NHIAA, took over administration of the tournament that we know today. 

One of the many elite teams from Peterborough High during the golden hoop era of the 1930s and 1940s was this one from 1936-’37 that had a surprisingly successful season after returning only one veteran from the previous year’s state championship team. Among its achievements was being the only school in the state to defeat Keene High on its own court and downing a much larger Manchester West squad.


Pictured are members of the ’36-’37 team that fell in the quarterfinals to Lincoln but overcame a season hampered by illness and injury to key players. Front row (from left): Charles Lindsay, Brian Keenan, Donald Dupree, Robert Clukay and Robert Barry. Second row: Norman Davidson, Robert Dart, Norman Carlson, Robert Myhaver and Coach John Clark. Third row: Arthur Mosher, Ervin Diamond and John Lindsay.


Gotta love the shoes!

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