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MANCHESTER — The Londonderry girls took their shot at the reigning royalty of New Hampshire basketball, but when you're going after the queen of the sport, you better make sure to deliver the knockout.

MANCHESTER, N.H. — Londonderry’s Allie Moloney, Daniele Crutcher and Lindsey Bolduc combined for just six points in the first three quarters during their Division 1 semifinal contest against Alvirne yesterday.   But the three of them combined for 17 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals during the final period alone to lift the Lancers to a 53-47 victory at Southern New Hampshire University. No. 2 Londonderry advanced to play No. 1 Winnacunnet in the Division 1 title game at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Southern New Hampshire University. “It was great to see them forget (their slow starts) and come back and make tremendous contributions,” Londonderry coach John Fagula said.   Londonderry overcame a seven-point deficit with 6:47 left.  The Lancers outscored Alvirne 23-14 in the final period.   Meet the three fourth-quarter stars: No. 1 star: Allie Moloney Moloney made three huge plays in the final minute. She scored her first basket with 40 seconds left on a layup to give her team the lead 49-47. Moloney, who scored off a Alvirne turnover, joked that it was probably her first layup this season. “I have a little problem (with layups). I’m always this much off,” she said, holding her thumb and index finger less than an inch from each other. “But in that moment there was no thinking about it. There was nothing going through my mind. And I just couldn’t believe it went in.” Crutcher added: “Allie has a little trouble with her layups but she comes in strong when we need her. She’s always there for us. She’s a main part of our team. She definitely calms us down and can control the ball pretty well.” Moloney also made a steal with 27 seconds left with her team still ahead 49-47. She passed back to freshman Aliza Simpson who was fouled. Simpson went to the line and made both her free throws to make it 51-47. With Londonderry ahead by four points, Moloney then also collected a defensive rebound with 10 seconds remaining. She was fouled with 8 seconds left and made both her free throws to put the game away. “Moloney, a lot of times has never really put up a lot of big numbers, but she is kind of the glue,” Fagula said. “She’s been doing a great job all season with assists and she’s been playing with so much more confidence.” No. 2 star: Lindsey Bolduc Bolduc entered the fourth quarter having not even scored a single point. But she poured in two huge 3-pointers during the final period and also added a foul shot. She netted a 3-pointer to put Londonderry ahead 39-37 with 5:08 left. Bolduc’s second 3-pinter came with 4:35 left put the Lancers ahead 42-40. “I did awful in the second half,” Bolduc said. “I had two turnovers right away and I just wasn’t in it. I just wasn’t thinking and I was making stupid plays. ... I came back in (the game during the fourth) and I knew I had to do something to help everyone else out. I was wide open and I shot them. “I usually don’t make my 3s,” Bolduc said, laughing. She joked that she probably is shooting only 14 percent from 3-point range. “It’s pretty bad,” she said, laughing. “It’s awful.” This was the first time all year Bolduc scored more than one 3-pointer in a contest. She entered the game with just five 3-pointers. No. 3 star: Daniele Crutcher Crutcher collected four of her six rebounds in the fourth quarter alone. She also scored five of her eight points in the fourth quarter. “It was an adrenaline rush,” she said. “I just didn’t want to lose. Basketball isn’t my main sport. (Softball is). But I really enjoy playing it and I wasn’t ready to give up in the semifinals. I wanted to go to the championship. I  just picked up my team. I tried doing whatever I could to boost them up.” Crutcher rolled her ankle during the game but she stayed in there and obviously played strong down the stretch. “I know Crutcher is a little bit hurt but she pushed through it and that’s what a good teammate does,” said Savanna Butterfield, who netted 17 points and collected nine rebounds."

Savanna Butterfield scored nine points and grabbed 10 rebounds as Londonderry recorded a decisive 63-44 win over Bishop Guertin, in yesterday's the Division 1 quarterfinal meeting. The Lancers (18-2) move to Wednesday's semifinal game vs, Alvirne, at Southern New Hampshire Univesity (5:30 p.m.).

Londonderry's starters earned its rest, blasting out to a 24-point halftime lead and letting the reserves close out a 67-35 Division 1 first round blowout of Keene. Amy Johnson tossed in eight points off the bench for the Lancers and backup point guard Aliza Simpson had 10 points and four assists.

LONDONDERRY — Through the first 16 minutes yesterday, offense didn't play much a part of the regular-season finale for Pinkerton and Londonderry. With the second seed for the upcoming Division 1 playoffs in New Hampshire on the line the two girls squads combined for only 30 points — nine in the first quarter.

Londonderry's Savanna Butterfield was one of the few offensive performers to get on track in a defensive slugfest. The senior tossed in a game-high 19 points to carry the Lancers past Timberlane, 39-27. Katie Matatall paced the Owls with 15.

Allie Moloney's strong defense helped shut down Trinity in Londonderry's 51-35 victory. Daniele Crutcher was the lone Lancer in double figures with 16 points.

Catherine Cloutier (12 points and 13 rebounds) and Savanna Butterfield (15 points and 8 boards) ruled the paint as Londonderry polished off Alvirne, 66-48.

Londonderry senior Catherine Cloutier had 11 points and nine rebounds to help the Lancers contain Dover underneath in a 50-43 victory.

Londonderry held a lead at the break but went cold in the second, suffering its first New Hampshire loss of the year, 53-35, to Memorial. The Lancers, outscored 14-3 in the third, simply couldn't make up ground as Memorial feasted on the foul line, hitting 22 of 25 in the win.