RallyNorth.net

DERRY, NH. — Three days after a furious last-minute rally got them to the state quarterfinals, the Pinkerton girls wasted no time earning a trip to the Class L semifinals.

Crisp passing and deadly long-range shooting gave the second-seeded Astros a 27-point halftime lead before finishing off seventh-seeded Manchester Memorial in an easy 63-39 victory last night. Pinkerton (21-2) takes a 14-game winning streak into Tuesday’s 6 p.m. semifinal against third-seeded Londonderry at Southern New Hampshire University. The Astros defeated the Lancers 39-34 on January 15.

Londonderry survived a second-quarter scoring drought to defeat Manchester Memorial, 48-43. Allie Moloney stoked up the Lancer offense with seven assists to go with eight points while Savanna Butterfield had 10 points and eight rebounds.

Memorial hit 11 of 16 from the line in overtime to beat Salem 59-56. Down 30-20 at half, Salem outscored Memorial 15-2 in the third quarter. The visitors, though, regained the lead. Kerry White's 3-point play with nine seconds left forced OT.

AJ Guidi and Laura Pierce were on fire from the opening tip, combining for 11 3-pointers and 44 points in Pinkerton's 61-40 drubbing of Manchester Memorial. Combined with disruptive team defense from Katherine Harris, Michelle Reid and Allie Ucich, the Astros ran out to a 27-point first-half lead and didn't look back.