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After a year as Timberlane Regional's interim head boys basketball coach, Paul Cardone had the interim tag lifted.

"It feels great. I am very excited," said Cardone. "I didn't know what they (the athletic department) were going to do. It was like a weight had been lifted off of my shoulders, but once the thanks and congratulations were over, it was time to take a step forward."

Drew Smith had a list of excuses at his disposal.

Who could blame the Timberlane Regional senior sharpshooter if he imploded?

His 6-9 center had transferred to prep school. His coach had moved on to a different job in a different state. Smith was left to pick up the pieces for the Owls.

Despite a game-high 19 points for Drew Smith, Timberlane fell to Keene 60-56. Erik Hatton added 13 points and Mike Donovan knocked down three 3-pointers for the Owls.

It's been a long time coming, but Timberlane finally "hit on all cylinders" according to Owls head coach Paul Cardone. The Owls blew past Goffstown for a 81-42 victory. Evan Williams owned the boards, ripping down 10 rebounds to go with 10 points.

The similarities between Haverhill and Timberlane were striking, and it made for a fun finale for this year's Greater Haverhill Coca-Cola Christmas Hoop Classic.

Both teams feature youthful rosters where height is at a premium, trading instead in pressure defense in order to cultivate easy fast-break baskets. The Hillies (Michael Trovato) and the Owls (Paul Cardone) even have first-year head coaches.

Pentucket struggled with turnovers on its way to a 62-50 loss to Timberlane in the Haverhill Christmas Classic.

The Sachems trailed by as many as 26 at one point, as Owls marksman Drew Smith hit for a game-high 26 points, including a trio of 3-pointers.

2006-07 record: 4-16, did not make state tourney

Returning starters (2): Drew Smith, 5-10, Sr., guard; Evan Williams, 6-2, Jr., forward

Returning lettermen: Riley Cassidy, 5-9, Jr., guard; Mike Donovan, 5-8, Sr., guard; Erik Hatton, 6-4, Jr., forward; Aaron Judson, 6-2, Soph., forward; Jared Paolino, 6-3, Sr., forward; Willy Stewart, 6-1, Sr., forward; Taylor Vondrasek, 5-9, Jr., guard