Gilford Golden Eagles beat Stevens Cardinals 48-35, advance to DIII semifinals

Gilford’s Golden Eagles knocked off the Stevens High School Cardinals of Claremont 48-35 in an NHIAA Division III quarterfinal, a 13-point victory that ended Stevens’ run in the state tournament and advanced Gilford to the DIII semifinals. The result kept Gilford’s state-title bid alive and closed the season for Stevens.

The quarterfinal matchup was played Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, and finished with Gilford posting 48 points to Stevens’ 35. The Cardinals’ loss in the NHIAA Division III bracket eliminated Stevens from tournament contention, while the Golden Eagles move on to the next round of New Hampshire high school playoff competition.

Stevens High School, representing Claremont, saw its postseason conclude with the 48-35 defeat; the loss removes Stevens from the pool of teams competing for the NHIAA Division III championship. Gilford’s win in the quarterfinal round gives the Golden Eagles a semifinal berth and preserves their opportunity to contend for a state crown in Division III.

For local fans following Sullivan County-area basketball, Friday’s result means Gilford will appear in the NHIAA DIII semifinals and Stevens’ players and coaches will turn to offseason planning after their elimination. The 13-point margin on Feb. 20 stands as the final scoreline for Stevens’ 2025-26 tournament run and the ticket Gilford used to reach the next stage of the state tournament.