By Marc Thaler
Staff Writer

Manchester Central senior tri-captains Bryan Tracy (left), Tyler Roche (center) and Joe Fremeau attempt to lead the Little Green to the first Class L boys basketball undefeated championship season since Concord High ended a perfect 1997-98 campaign with the state crown.

Short of making Manchester Central run its offense using a medicine ball, it's difficult to envision the Little Green boys hoops team stumbling in its quest for a second straight state crown.

Central's remarkable regular- season resume proves the state's top Class L club is in a class by itself this season.

Owning a perfect 18-0 league record entering the state tournament, CHS won 16 contests by double digits, with six of those victories against Neighborhood squads Manchester West, Concord, Manchester Memorial, Salem and Goffstown.

Overall, the Little Green posted 11 wins by more than 20 points, and broke the 80-point plateau three times – once with a 100-point effort.

As the hoops campaign kicks into high gear, area coaches offered thoughts on what – if anything – can be done to deliver the ultimate knockout blow to Central's sensational season.

Poitras's prediction
Goffstown High was the final team to face Central prior to the second season. Following the Grizzlies' 69-41 setback on March 3, GHS head coach Don Poitras, who owns a boys state title from his days at John Stark, said he didn't see Central falling victim to an upset.

“They are not only great basketball bodies, shooters, all that stuff. They have the basketball IQ,” Poitras said. “They're smart, they're sharp. No one cares about who scores. There's just as much satisfaction taking care of a teammate (with a quality pass) as there is putting the ball in the basket.”

Poitras witnessed Central's unselfish attitude firsthand. The coach pointed to six CHS offensive possessions; in each, the Little Green had trouble with the Grizzlies' zone defense.

Rather than panic and force a bad shot, Central's players made a minimum of six passes to create an open look at the hoop.

Working to create a highpercentage shot also allowed the defending champs to set up their pressure defense, Poitras said.

“I think, athletically, there are some (teams) that can stay with them,” the Grizzlies mentor said. “But their basketball IQ is gonna win out.”

Burke's blueprint
West head coach Colin Burke and his boys faced Central in the Dec. 20 season opener, a 73-59 Little Green win. Coaching a fellow Queen City club, the West mentor said