Eva Zink is the latest NHIAA Division I women’s basketball player to earn the coveted task.
The sophomore spent much of Bedford High’s 43-38 home win over Londonderry on Tuesday night guarding Lancers star Sammy Sullivan.
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“I knew I had a big job going into this game and I felt confident,” Zinke said after the win.
Sullivan, 5-foot-10, ranks second in the conference in points per game (21.3) and can score from anywhere on the floor.
Of all the guys guarding Sullivan this season, Cink may have the most insight into how to slow her down.
Sullivan, who is committed to NCAA Division I Bryant University, and Zink, who has offers from Bryant and New Hampshire colleges, are teammates in the MCW Starz AAU program.
“We’re good friends outside of basketball, so it’s always fun to play against her,” Cink said.
As a 6-foot sophomore, Zink knows Sullivan’s signature moves, like spinning left.
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Cink protected Sullivan throughout Tuesday’s game. When Zinke defended Sullivan in the paint, he often had help from behind — usually from 5-foot-8 classmate Juliet Laws.
As Sullivan moved to the outside, Zink stayed with her.
Sullivan scored only five points in the first half and finished with a game-high 22 points.
“I have no hesitation in putting her at small forward, power forward,” Bedford coach Kevin Gibbs said of Zinke. “Our game plan was to force Sammie to the perimeter. … Eva can guard (No.) 1 through 5.”
Guarding a third-level scorer like Sullivan is an exciting challenge for Zink.
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Zink, who had a steal and several blocks on Sullivan, said the game was a valuable experience for her. For example, keeping an opponent in front of her is a good practice.
Gibbs noted that Cink is a year away from her freshman season and Sullivan is a year away from being a Division I college player.
“She’s a lot bigger than her (6-foot) frame,” Gibbs said of Sink.
Bishop is the ‘heart and soul’ of Trinity Boys
Connor Bishop is known for his contributions to the Trinity football team, which won the Division II championship last fall.
The Manchester resident is the team’s tight end/linebacker and captain and a key member of the Blazers men’s basketball team.
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“This is the dark horse of our team,” said third-year Trinity boys basketball coach Ray Farmer. “Connor Bishop is the heart and soul of this team. I wish I had a million of him.”
Bishop, a senior, averaged 7.7 points per game in a Division I season that saw Trinity go 3-2. During that stretch, he had at least 10 rebounds in three consecutive games.
Trinity defeated Spaulding 76-39 on Tuesday to improve to 4-2.
Farmer said Bishop got every big rebound, made every big stop and embraced his role.
The forward hit a 3-pointer and had five points, five rebounds and three steals in the Trail Blazers’ 78-66 victory over Nashua South on Friday.
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“He does a lot of things for us,” Trinity junior guard Jordan Torres said of Bishop. “He works so hard. He’s a football player, but he comes out here and uses his strength, his size, and he’s just a beast down low.”
Karavanic grows into leader of Southern boys
Nashua South junior Daniel Karavanic loves to joke around.
Purple Panther coach Nate Mazerole said the 6-foot-8 forward/center is hilarious and carefree.
When game time arrived, Karavanic’s mood changed.
In last Friday’s game against Trinity College, he performed well on the court, scoring 11 points and grabbing 6 rebounds.
Mazzerole said Karavanic is not a natural leader, but he is getting more comfortable in the role with each game.
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Through the Panthers’ first five games, he leads the team in points per game (16.8) and is often asked to be their best rebounder and defensive anchor.
South beat Londonderry 69-64 on Tuesday night to move to 3-3.
“He was always joking until we got to the fourth line and then he took it seriously,” Mazzerole said, “because the nature of being funny — the nature of goofiness — belies the fact that he was really passionate, he was a competitor, and he hated losing.
“He knows when to tell a joke and when to ask teammates about improvements.”
1,000 points and counting.
Woodsville senior Ryan Walker and Pittsburgh-Canaan senior Daemon Jaimes both joined their 1,000-point club plans on Monday.
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Walker scored 38 points in Woodsville’s 59-42 Class IV victory over Gorham.
Jamie scored a team-high 17 points in Pittsburgh Canaan’s 53-39 loss to Groveton.
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The high school basketball column runs weekly during the season. To contact Alex Hall, please email ahall@unionleader.com.
