When Grandpa Played in Conval Nation

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Like 2024, as the season wound down in 1951’-52, hopes for the following year were high in Conval Nation...

The Peterborough Hilanders (pictured)—with players who would be elderly grandfathers today— had a rough go of it, finishing the regular season at 4-13. But these young guys would improve the following year and be among the elite in Class B in 1954 and 1955. Teaming with a one-loss JV team from 1951-’52, Peterborough High would be sparked by freshman sensation Dave Gavitt—a player remembered for giving his all and his leadership. including rallying his teammates for a shoot-around after losing the 1955 tournament game.


Shown in the photo are (front, from left): Phil Bailey, John Twomey, co-captains Jack Harris and Jimmy Yakovakis, Eddie Wheeler and Dave Gavitt. Second row: Coach Dick Snow, Harry Clough, Tom Lawrence, Buddy Charest and assistant manager Tod Hofer. Back row: Bob Durkee, Don LaFontaine, Bill Taylor and manager Phil Petts.


Yakovakis, Clough and Taylor were all from Bennington!


The 1951-’52 season, however, was the greatest one ever for Hancock High. Making their second-ever Class C tournament, the Bluedevils—one of the smallest high schools in New Hampshire—finished with an outstanding 11-1 mark and captured the Southern N.H. League, only to bow to powerful Woodsville in the first round of the state tournament. Read more about this sensational team, "The Pride of Hancock."


Antrim High, too, ended on a high note. The Warriors finished at 6-6, and school correspondent Gail Gray wrote of the last regular season game: “We met Hopkinson on our court. As before, the boys’ game was very good, with Antrim coming from behind to a great victory by one basket. To end the game and the season, Donald Dunlap [who scored the winning basket at the buzzer] was carried by class members off the floor! Now the question is—what are the boys going to do now without practice every afternoon?”


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