CONVAL HOOP HERITAGE

S ixty years ago tonight, December 13, 1963, will live in infamy for Peterborough High basketball —the Hilanders scored in the wrong basket with nine seconds remaining, dropping a heartbreaking 44-43 decision to Appleton Academy of New Ipswich (pre-Mascenic Regional days). As shocking an ending as it was, it was nothing like the urban legend that the story turned out to be, exaggerated over the years like a game of telephone. According to legend, the basket was “credited” to the wrong player, it occurred near the end of the season, and it cost Peterborough High a tournament berth. Let the record show, however, that the player was “aggressive junior forward” Gary Vickery —now a reputable NHIAA basketball official—that the game took place in mid-December, and that PHS had a non-tournament-friendly record of 0-5 (and finished 6-14). Urban legend, though, is more fun! According to published reports, “the wrong-way shot originated from a [confusing] out-of-bounds play under the Appleton ne...

At left, the 1993 Conval boys' team holds its breath as Jaime LeFlem steps to the line to tie the Class I finals at the end of regulation. At right, Madi Hatt of this year's Cougar girls' team concentrates on her free throws. E veryone likes the thrill of the “three” but hoop history has shown that teams and players who make their free throws in the heat of a close game or playoff atmosphere can make the difference in helping their team either move on or make an earlier than expected exit. In the earliest days of basketball, foul shots were considered so valuable that a “specialist” was allowed to come off the bench and go to the line. (That’s crazy!) The NHIAA demonstrated its belief in the power of the free throw by holding a state tournament contest from 1949 through 1971. Among the winners was a certain pro baseball prospect from Charlestown High School named Carlton Fisk !   Making clutch free throws with hundreds and even thousands of fans screaming in your ear has a...