Nashua South Reaches Granite State Challenge Final With 415-320 Win Against Profile

DURHAM, NH — Nashua South High School is heading to the finals of Granite State Challenge after a 415-320 semifinal win over Profile High School.

Nashua South built a strong early lead and kept Profile from fully closing the gap in the season’s first semifinal game.

Nashua South was led by 12th-grader and captain Henry Long. The team also included 12th-graders Eric Picanco and Thanasi Miris, and 10th-grader Charlie Long. Alternates were Jerry Primo, a 12th-grader, and Lexie Ross, a 10th-grader. The Purple Panthers were coached by social studies teacher Lex Duval and English teacher Kelli Thornhill-Telerski. New Hampshire PBS said Nashua South High School enrolls 1,635 students.

Profile was captained by 12th-grader Maddie Perkins and included 12th-graders Moses Rolfe, Wyatt Wright, and Raiden Valentine. Team alternates were 9th-graders Henry Hamilton and Andy Rolfe. The Patriots were coached by school counselor Jill Brewer and social studies teacher Paul Savard. According to the announcement, Profile High School enrolls 130 students from Bethlehem, Easton, Franconia and Sugar Hill.

The match turned in part on early buzzing and a dominant third round. In the three-strikes-and-you’re-out round, Nashua South used its three strikes early and answered three of 10 questions correctly, while Profile answered two of 10. Both teams improved in the 60-second round with help from alternates, but Nashua South posted a perfect 10-for-10 score while Profile answered eight of 10. Round 3 ended with Nashua South ahead 295-200.

“We are very fortunate to have a buzzer system that we use for all of our practices,” Thornill-Telerski said. “We practice that as much as we can, but also I think it's important to note that these kids practice in their own time too.”

“I think that's probably the best game we've ever played,” Long said. “10 out of 10…I don’t know if we were expecting that, but that was pretty great!”

Profile made a push in Round 4, where point values double and wrong answers lose points, but Nashua South kept the lead intact and won by 95 points.

“You know, we're a little disappointed,” Savard said. “They fought hard against a team from a school with 1,600 kids, and our school has 130 kids. So, we're pretty proud of what they've accomplished. I'm most proud of how proud they felt.”

“I think we did well just being a team, especially in the 60-second round. That’s where we shine,” Perkins said. “I think as a group, we’ll just take the memories with us.”

Nashua South next advances to the Granite State Challenge.