HAMPTON — The Exeter High School boys basketball team is undefeated after seven games with an average margin victory of just under 16 points.
Winnacunnet has won six of seven games and is coming off two of its biggest wins of the season.
However, when the Blue Hawks and Warriors meet on the hardwood, Winnacunnet alum, state champion and head coach Jay McKenna says you can throw the records out the window.
“I think this rivalry will always be great,” McKenna said after Winnacunnet’s 20-point win at Bishop Guertin on Wednesday. “There have been years like this when we are both playing well and up at the top of the standings. We’ve also had years where we both have struggled. What makes this rivalry so special is the fact that it doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter what those records are — the kids always play incredibly hard and always put every emotional effort they have into that game.”
Winnacunnet swept last season’s two games, posting a 77-76 victory at Exeter in the regular season and then blowing out the Blue Hawks at home by 35 points in a Division I quarterfinal game.
Exeter is the lone undefeated team in Division I, while Winnacunnet and Manchester Memorial have just one loss.
“I think it’s great that we are both having successful seasons,” McKenna said. “We always use them a benchmark to see where we are, and I know they think the same of us. It makes it a little more exciting for the average viewer but I don’t think the records play a whole lot into it; the kids are just excited to play.”
Winnacunnet senior Zach Waterhouse scored 46 points in the two games against Exeter last season. Barring a postseason contest — and there have only been two in McKenna’s first 12 years as head coach — this could be the final game against Exeter for Waterhouse and fellow seniors Travis Arsenault, Matt Doyle, Evan Welch, John Simmons and Wes Falzarano.
“I think this rivalry goes back from the time you are little growing up in this community,” McKenna said. “It’s something you look forward to. I know for me coming up it was always in the back of your mind, you are always looking forward to that game. I still feel that way. You always check when that game is going to be played, is it a Tuesday, is it a Friday. There is always great anticipation for it.”
One of the strengths of the Blue Hawks this season has been the play of freshman Josh Morissette, younger brother of senior captain Cody, and the team’s leading scorer. Cody scored 38 points in last year's regular season meeting, but was held to just eight in the playoff game.
“(Josh Morissette) has good size, strength and is a highly skilled high school player; I don’t care what grade he’s in,” McKenna said. “He brings a tremendous amount of experience for a kid his age. He has played at a high level for AAU and brings great experience, and with that comes confidence. He’s a very confident kid, too, which is rare in a freshman. He’s a pretty special player and I know our guys are excited to have the opportunity to play against him.”
With last year’s two wins, McKenna is now at .500 against Exeter (7-7) in this, his 13th season at the helm.
“I think it will be tooth and nail Friday,” McKenna said. “I think it will be another grinder as they always are. I am sure it will come down to the last few plays. Being involved in this game for as long as I have, I’ve seen just about everything that could possibly happen. I’ve seen buzzer beaters, and have seen a couple of blowouts, but more often than not it comes down to the wire and the last few possessions. Both teams are playing at a pretty high level right now and I think that’s what we anticipated; it will be tough.”
Tip-off is scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m., following the Winnacunnet and Exeter girls game at 5.
“I am biased, but I think we have the best facility in the state in terms for basketball. You have the bleachers at the end, you have the track overhead; it’s a very unique setting. To have the gym full and have both crowds really into it, there is a different feel to this game. There’s a feel of electricity in the building and the crowd and both teams feed off of it. It’s a great event for both of our schools and both of our communities.”