Presidential Inspiration in an Unforgettable Year
February 1984 was quite a month in Conval High sports history—the birth pangs for JV and varsity football, a state championship for another winter team, an historic season for girls’ basketball, and an outstanding boys’ basketball team that got further inspiration from a presidential candidate.
- The first tremors of a JV and varsity football program were felt when 70 percent of students at the high school and middle schools said they were in favor of a special warrant article to get things started. While voters at the time disagreed, the seeds had been planted for the inevitable and the popular sport that it has become at the school and in the communities today.
- Meanwhile, the boys’ and girls’ alpine ski team won the 1984 D2 state championship for the first time since 1978.
- February also saw the 1983-’84 girls’ basketball team become the first in school history to qualify for the state tournament, while the 11-5 JV girls enjoyed one of their finest seasons ever.
- And the boys’ basketball team that finished in the top four in Class I (D2) with a 14-4 record made it to the semi-finals and came within inches of pulling off an upset for the ages.
Although talented up and down the line-up, both 1983-’84 Cougar basketball teams may have received a boost with words of inspiration spoken to one of their own by presidential candidate Jesse Jackson.
When he came to Conval for a rally before more than 800 captivated students, Senator Jackson spoke prophetic words that are as true now as they were then: “There is nothing more damaging to the psyche than nobody-ness—that you don’t count. But you can make your life better by using your mind to change your circumstances…I am a somebody!” The message resonated throughout the gym, but the cheers were loudest when candidate Jackson called star guard Gerald Kelley to join him on the platform. “He’s great!” yelled one student, as if to reinforce what Senator Jackson had just preached.
Speaking to Gerald and to all who love and play basketball, the candidate offered timeless encouragement:
“You must work to develop your mind, to rise above your circumstances. Your drive to survive is your key to success.”
And that is exactly what Coach Warren Geier’s girls’ team did in the final week of the regular season. Needing a win in their final game against Pelham to secure a tournament spot amidst a crowded field of contenders, the Cougars’ “drive to survive” earned them the number 11 seed in Conval’s first-ever tournament appearance for girls’ basketball.
In the first round, they were paired with highly-rated Goffstown who many had tabbed as a favorite to win it all. But in a closely played game from start to finish, Goffstown needed to muster all its resources to hold off the Cougars, 44-38. At one point late in the final period, Conval came within a point of pulling off a huge upset. “We gave them all they wanted,” said Coach Geier afterwards. “I couldn’t have been more proud of our effort.”
Meanwhile, the boys’ team’s ride to and throughout the tournament was one to remember. They ended the regular season by knocking off once-beaten Monadnock before a rowdy home crowd, earning one of four byes in the Class I tournament. In the quarter-finals, Coach Art Giovannangeli’s crew had a tough battle with Laconia deep into the final period, but in a “Havlicek stole the ball!” moment, Chris Boothby’s diving save of a ball heading for out of bounds led to a fast break opportunity that gave Conval some breathing room.
In a remarkable sequence where Laconia was forced to foul in hope of stopping the bleeding, the Cougars sank 15 of 17 free throws in the final two minutes, winning 67-57!
The fantastic journey for the boys’ team came to an end in the semi-finals against top-ranked and unbeaten Somersworth, but it was a game that was so excellent by both teams that everyone went home with a sense of appreciation and pride. Although their shooting was off, the Cougars kept pace with the Toppers from beginning to end with tough defense and rebounding. Trailing for much of the game, Conval brought hundreds of fans in the UNH gym to their feet by whittling the deficit to one point in the final minutes, but in the end, Somersworth prevailed, 61-55.
What happened after the final buzzer was an amazing sight, according to the Peterborough Transcript...
The play by both teams had been so inspirational, fans from Conval and Somersworth gave a rousing and prolonged standing ovation as the two teams shook hands.
Said Somersworth coach Larry Francoeur afterwards, “I thought we played the best team in the tournament tonight.” (Note: Somersworth went on to win the 1984 state title over Pembroke.)
Added a proud Conval fan, “I don’t care what happens in the finals—tonight was the Class I championship.”
Wow.
