By Marc Thaler
Sports Editor

For the final two weeks of 2005, Keeping Score will be absent from the sports section, allowing for the Year in Review and Year in Photos – not to mention my wedding.

Therefore, with my final column of ’05, I bring you my Favorite Four. Of all the stories I had the privilege to write this year, these four, which took place on the court – both basketball and tennis – were my favorite to relay to readers.

Favorite single-game performance

This was easy. The Derryfield School’s Kendra Decelle had the most dominant display of athleticism I witnessed.

Last winter in the Class S girls hoops state semifinals against Pittsfield, the current University of Pittsburgh swimmer was responsible for 34 of the Cougars’ first 36 points, either draining shots or dishing the rock.

Decelle finished with a line of 27 points, eight rebounds, six assists and one steal in a seven-point DS win.

More articles • This is it • Nitwit nation • Closing argument • Patriots 102 • Show me the funny! • Tito has veto power • Impact was (mid) major • Patriots 101 • First-ever 'Noddies' • Pigs are flying • Coming to my senses • Farewell to this King • Preseason pressure • New blood • Beautiful day • Game may spark a Super discussion • Boy, his actions make me wonder • First night • Spill on a slippery slope • Groundhog Day on Yawkey Way • Saving the best for last • This Boss born to coach USA • Pa, it appears, still knows best • Giving thanks, gridiron style • Still not convinced they're Super • A costly lesson in time management • Unchallenged and unimpressive • Final thoughts on the '05 season • Story could have horrific ending • Man behind the Mike • Less than Wild about this finish • That's all, Foulke • Several holes in these Sox • Making a generous Pey-ment

For a high school contest, Decelle was simply dazzling. She was also dizzying. I still shake my head thinking about that tremendous four-quarter effort.

Favorite clutch player

Remaining on the hardwood, I truly enjoyed watching Manchester Central’s Tyler Roche lead the Little Green to the 2004-05 Class L crown.

Few things in sports are more difficult than delivering under pressure, especially when everyone in the gym knows you’ll be called upon to provide the knockout punch.

Dover had erased a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit in the title game, taking a 43-41 lead with 88 seconds remaining. That’s when Roche 86’d the Green Wave, drilling the eventual championship-clinching three-point hoop from the top of the key.

“Quite frankly,” Central head coach David Wheeler said, “(Roche’s) focus is such that (he doesn’t) even know people are in the gym.”

With the number of fans packed into UNH’s Lundholm Gym that day, such concentration is still hard to comprehend.

But there’s one thing Wheeler said that remains hard to argue more than nine months later.

“... Not many kids make that shot,” the head coach said.

Favorite display of sportsmanship

Last spring, Trinity of Manchester’s Allison Auer, the No. 2 singles player on the Pioneers’ girls tennis team, faced younger sister Lindsey, Manchester West’s No. 2.

Talk about sibling rivalry.

The Auers thought they’d miss the Trinity-West contest while on vacation, only to find out the match was rescheduled due to a rain out.

While parents Lisa and David hoped for a quick and painless contest, I hoped for a lengthy duel. It makes for a better story.

My wish was granted.

The girls, both tremendous athletes with great attitudes, split their first 14 games, forcing two extra frames.

Eventually, the final score was 9-7, in favor of ...

Aaah, yes. I didn’t reveal who won when I wrote the story, and I’m not going to now, either.

Favorite contest

The West and Concord High tennis teams provided the best game of the year. No contest.

Yes, West ended Concord’s unbelievable 127-match, seven consecutive state-title streak. But that’s not why I chose this matchup.

It’s cliche to say teams “gave everything they had” or, in this case, “left it all on the court.”

But these boys did just that.

I never would’ve thought it possible, but these teams had every onlooker on edge, exploding with cheers on every serve, return and point.

West nearly pulled the upset in singles play, holding a 4-1 edge, needing one more win to take the best-of-nine bout.

However, the Tide stormed back, winning the last singles match and first two doubles duels. Concord’s comeback forced a winner-take-all tilt, won by West.

You could taste the intensity. No joke.

There you have it. A brief look at what I consider the best of ’05. Kudos to those who made the cut.