ROCHESTER, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) The Keene High School boys’ basketball team secured a spot in the NHIAA Division I state championship for the first time since 1992, edging out No. 2 Portsmouth 61-60 in a tense semifinal matchup Wednesday night.

The sixth-seeded Blackbirds (16-5) will face top-seeded Bedford on Sunday at the University of New Hampshire. The game is scheduled for a 4 p.m. tipoff.

Keene’s victory was decided in the final seconds when Portsmouth’s Isaiah Reis hit a three-pointer at the buzzer, but no foul was called, leaving the Blackbirds with a one-point win. The team also won its quarterfinal matchup by a single point, defeating Trinity 59-58.

Senior Javon Massiah led Keene with 27 points, scoring 13 in the fourth quarter. He and teammate Jamal Stanley each made key free throws in the final seconds to keep Portsmouth at bay. Kasen Abbott added 16 points for the Blackbirds, including four three-pointers.

Portsmouth controlled the first half, leading 28-17 late in the second quarter before Keene closed the gap to three points at halftime. The teams traded leads throughout the second half before Keene pulled ahead in the final minutes. Portsmouth freshman Derek Swartz led his team with 19 points and 12 rebounds.

Bedford advanced to the championship game with a 58-55 semifinal win over Exeter. The Bulldogs defeated Keene 71-56 in their regular-season meeting on Feb. 11.

Keene has never won a state title in boys’ basketball, holding an 0-5 record in championship games. Sunday’s matchup will determine whether this year’s Blackbirds can change that history.

The Division I Boys Basketball Championship – Presented by Hammond Lumber Company

Final Round
#1 Bedford vs. #6 Keene

Location: UNH
Date: Sunday, March 16
Time: 4 p.m.
Tickets: Purchase here

Watch the video of the moments before the final buzzer (Courtesy Carrah Fisk Hennessey):