Story byNew Hampshire Union Leader, ManchesterAlex Hall, The New Hampshire Union Leader, ManchesterThu, January 15, 2026 at 11:54 PM UTC·4 min readEva Zink is the latest NHIAA Division I girls basketball player to draw the unenviable assignment. In Bedford High School’s 43-38 home victory over Londonderry on Tuesday night, the sophomore spent most of the night guarding Lancers star Sammie Sullivan. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“I knew I had a big job this game and I was feeling confident,” Zink said after the win. A 5-foot-10 senior, Sullivan is second in the division in points per game (21.3) and can score from anywhere on the court. Of all those who have guarded Sullivan this season, Zink might 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 the University of New Hampshire, were teammates with the MCW Starz AAU program.“We’re good friends outside of basketball so playing her is always so fun,” Zink said. A 6-foot sophomore, Zink knows Sullivan’s signature moves, like spinning to the left. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementZink face-guarded Sullivan throughout Tuesday’s game. Zink often had backside help — typically from 5-foot-8 classmate Juliet Laws — while defending Sullivan in the paint. When Sullivan went out to the perimeter, Zink stayed with her. Sullivan was held to five points in the first half before finishing with a game-high 22.“I have no qualms about putting her on small forwards, large forwards,” Bedford coach Kevin Gibbs said of Zink. “Our game plan was to force Sammie to the perimeter.
