The final buzzer sounded, and Lancer fans erupted in the bleachers as the girls basketball team celebrated their final, and most important win of the season, marking them champions.

On Saturday, March 14, the girls basketball team took on Concord Christian Academy at UNH in the NH Division I championship. The game started out close, with the Lancers leading 22-17 at half. However, Londonderry pulled away after halftime, winning 56-38.

Senior Brooke Eacrett led the Lancers in scoring with 20 points, and senior Sammie Sullivan was close behind with 16.

“It feels amazing to come back after falling short last season and finally win it all,” Sullivan said.

This team, specifically the senior class, has been through a playoff run before. Last season, they put together a strong campaign, competing their way to the championship game, where they were defeated by Bedford. 

Eacrett said that after last year, the coaches and players shared a common goal that started at the beginning of the season: “Win at UNH.” In order to achieve this goal, they came back strong this year and played at a high-level.

“We all just worked hard in practice and pushed each other,” Eacrett said. “Whether we won or lost, we lifted each other up and focused on our goal.”

Eacrett felt “motivated” from the loss last year, pushing her to compete so well in the championship game this year.

“Everyone bought into our coaches’ plan every game, so we used that all year to get back to the championship,” Eacrett said.

Sullivan said that coming back from their loss last year “makes [this win] even more meaningful.”

“Winning that game really shows how much our hard work and growth paid off,” Sullivan said.

Sullivan also noted that this team was “special,” helping to give them an extra push down the stretch.

“We were connected and we trusted each other,” Sullivan said. “Everyone stepped up in big moments, and that is what pushed us to win on the biggest stage.”