It’s a tough loss, but they took it well.”

Student coach Rebecca Alder

PORTSMOUTH — They had given it their all out on the court, but by the time the final buzzer sounded Sunday, May 5, the Portsmouth Patriots’ unified basketball team came up just short of the Division II state championship, falling to the Mt. Hope Huskies by a score of 34-26. 

“I’m proud that we made it this far. It’s a tough loss, but they took it well,” said student coach Rebecca Alder. 

As the only team to defeat the defending state champions during the regular season, the Patriots had high hopes going into the afternoon’s final, played at La Salle Academy. 

From the moment the game started, however, the Huskies proved they were ready to battle. Their star player, senior Mylan Jackson, alone finished the half with 10 points, largely helping to carry Mt. Hope to a 20-12 lead after 16 minutes of play. 

Even so, Portsmouth was not about to go down without a fight. Junior Chris Sherwood was all over the court in the second half, knocking in eight points himself to help close the gap. Though the Patriots found themselves within four with just five minutes remaining on the clock, Mt. Hope once again was able to pull away, ultimately reclaiming the crown. 

“I give them credit. They played hard, they deserved it,” said Miss Alder. 

While it wasn’t easy losing in the finals, Miss Alder, in her first season coaching, was proud of the way her team had come together and the amount of effort they had put into their performance. Above all else, though, she simply just wanted her athletes to have a good time playing basketball alongside their friends.

“We always tell them, ‘You want to work hard, you want to put your all into it, but the most important piece is to have fun,’” she said.

The Patriots advanced to the finals by defeating Juanita Sanchez in the semifinals at home on Thursday, May 2.

All for Connor

In just a few short weeks, Miss Alder will be graduating alongside players Henry Banks, Wyatt Cory, Nate Davies, Samantha Jefferds and John Ross.

While losing their “mic man” Connor Peckham last month certainly cast a pall over their final season, Miss Alder said he continued to be their guide as they made their way through to the finals.

“He got us this far; we thank him for that,” she said. “Everything we did, every game we played, was for him.”