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NH Basketball Team Overcomes Scheduling Error, Secures Home Playoff Game

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Thursday, January 22nd 2026 at 11:06 GMT by New Hampshire Union Leader
      Locale: UNITED STATES

LONDONDERRY, NH - January 22nd, 2026 - A perplexing scheduling error and subsequent reversal by the New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association (NHIAA) has become a significant, albeit unusual, storyline for the Pembroke Academy girls' basketball team as they head into the Division II playoffs. What began as a simple record discrepancy has evolved into a testament to perseverance and a reminder of the complexities inherent in managing high school sports.

Just last month, during the annual Londonderry tournament, the Pembroke Academy girls' basketball team believed they had secured three victories. This perception, fostered by what they thought were accurate records, instilled a sense of pride and accomplishment within the team. However, an initial review by the NHIAA revealed a startling truth: one of those 'wins' wasn't a sanctioned game at all.

The discrepancy surfaced when the Pinards, likely coaches or team staff, noticed inconsistencies between their internal recordkeeping and the official NHIAA standings posted online. Their record appeared to be missing a victory from a game played against Merrimack High School. Coach Zach Wheeler, the team's head coach, confirmed that the NHIAA had initially ruled the game against Merrimack as an exhibition, impacting Pembroke's overall record to 2-1 at the tournament and 8-3 for the season.

The error stemmed from a scheduling oversight within the tournament itself. The Londonderry tournament was designed as a round-robin format, stipulating that each participating team would play three games. However, a clerical error resulted in Merrimack High School being mistakenly scheduled for a third game, when their intended schedule only allowed for two. This unintentional addition led to the initial designation of the Pembroke-Merrimack game as an exhibition, a designation that had tangible consequences for Pembroke's playoff seeding.

The implications of this initial ruling were significant. Pembroke Academy was precariously positioned on the cusp of securing a coveted home game for the first round of the Division II playoffs. The loss of the win, as the NHIAA initially classified it, relegated them to the eighth position, forcing them to begin their playoff journey on the road. For a team brimming with talent and dedication, the prospect of losing a home-court advantage due to an administrative error was undoubtedly discouraging.

Coach Wheeler, recognizing the injustice of the situation and the potential impact on his players, swiftly appealed the NHIAA's decision. His appeal highlighted the error in scheduling and championed the team's deserved recognition for their performance against Merrimack.

In a positive turn of events, the NHIAA responded to Wheeler's appeal and, after further review, reversed its initial decision on Monday. The game against Merrimack was officially declared a sanctioned game, restoring Pembroke's record to a commendable 9-3 and elevating them to sixth place in the Division II standings. This change also secured them a much-deserved home game for the first round of the playoffs.

"The NHIAA was great to work with," Wheeler stated, acknowledging the organization's willingness to rectify the mistake. "They admitted their mistake and fixed it. It's a relief for the girls. They earned that win, and they deserve a home game."

This situation serves as a critical reminder of the importance of meticulous record-keeping and scheduling accuracy in high school athletics. It also underscores the value of advocating for fairness and recognizing the dedication of student-athletes. Pembroke Academy's journey from perceived disappointment to restored victory exemplifies resilience and the power of perseverance in the face of unexpected challenges. The team now looks forward to their home playoff game, armed with a corrected record and a renewed sense of purpose.