It was the twist of a knee that changed the outlook on the 2019-20 Division IV basketball season.

  Looking a year ahead you’d be hard-pressed to find a coach last December who wouldn’t have Littleton as the heavy favorite going into this season. That changed though on the night of February 28th when 3-time all-state forward Danny Kubkowski injured his knee during the team’s shoot-around before their quarterfinal game against Colebrook.

 Littleton as a team was dazed all night as they made up an early deficit against Buddy Trask’s team and advanced to their 9th Final Four in 10 seasons. Once they arrived in Plymouth they were terrific, beating a Newmarket team most expected would send them home in the semifinals before losing the most-well played championship game of the four divisions against Epping, 72-61.

 Five months later Kubkowski’s knee injury still lingers, and his availability for the season remains a complete unknown. That opens up the race to six different teams who could win the Division IV title in March and four or five more who should have a trip to Plymouth State University as their season goal.

 “To a man, every coach I’ve talked to wants to see (Danny) playing,” said Epping head coach and defending champion Nick Fiset. “No one wants to see that talented of an athlete sitting on a bench in his street clothes.”

 “The Kubkowki injury opens it up because with him at 100% Littleton was the team to beat,” said Colebrook Hall of Fame coach Buddy Trask. “They may still be the best team without him but it cuts back on a lot of what Trevor (Howard) was able to do with him on the floor.”

 Today in our 3rd of 8 pre-season basketball previews we take a look at one of my favorite divisions, Division IV. Where 22 teams begin the quest to stand where Hunter Bullock and the
Epping Blue Devils were 9 months ago.

 Our coverage is brought to you by our friends and partners at White Mountains Community College, with locations in Berlin, Littleton, and North Conway.

 

Division IV Predicted Order:

1. Newmarket
2. Littleton
3. Woodsville
4. Pittsfield
5. Groveton
6. Colebrook
7. Derryfield
8. Epping
9. Sunapee
10. Portsmouth Christian

Lurking outside the Top 10: Farmington, Mount Royal, Moultonborough, Hinsdale & Wilton-Lyndeborough

 

 How does a team graduate its two top scorers and start the season at #1 for a second straight season?

 One word: depth.

 “This might be the deepest team I’ve had in ten years,” said Newmarket Head Coach Jamie Hayes.

 Make that a lot of depth.

 “We have a lot of size and players coming back who were impact players for us last season,” said Hayes. “Add in a junior class that feels like it is their turn and you have a pretty good mix.”

 No team in the division will match the size of the Mules across their starting lineup. Forwards (finding anyone identifying themselves as a center in 2019 is as rare as Bigfoot popping his head out of the forest) Logan Willey and Owen Tower are both 6’3 while point guard Owen Hayes (son of the head coach) is 6’3 as well.

 “Our best player will likely change game to game and I can see eight or nine different players starting for us. Everyone is going to play so there has not been any tension about who is starting or who isn’t,” said Hayes.

 “With our size, we are going to be able to post up our guards to take advantage of our ability to score in the paint.”

 Both Tower and Willey can score on the block, Tower needs more touches and Willey just needs more consistency.

 Meanwhile, Hayes knows exactly what he is getting from returning starter Will Chase. “Will is just so solid,” said his head coach. “He does a lot of the little things and he is our voice on defense. He contributes in a lot of different ways and I know I can count on him in any situation.”

 Allen Phoubaykham is the team’s best defender and will be hounding point guards up & down the floor in front of the Mules man to man defense. His brother Amar will contribute on the wing.

 Where the all-state duo of Simon Cote and Jared Woodman did most of the scoring for Newmarket a year ago it will be more of a balanced offense in 2019-20. “We, as a coaching staff, have been able to run next level offense in practice because of the familiarity the kids have with our system.”

 “There is a different feeling in the gym this year and I think it has a lot to do with everyone being expected to contribute in their own way. Whether that is rebounding, defense, scoring or taking care of the basketball.”

 Before you start searching out condolence cards for Trevor Howard and his Littleton Crusaders keep in mind that even if Danny Kubkowski is unable to play there is enough returning talent to be the last team standing in March.

 “We still don’t know the extent of Danny’s injury and he still needs to be cleared by a doctor before we are going to put him back on the court,” said Howard of his 3-time all-state forward. “We’re hopeful he can come back in January or February but until then we are working to get better every day as a team.”

 Parker Briggs will be among the leading scorers in Division IV after finishing in the Top 5 as a junior last season. “Parker is a terrific scorer and he’s improved his game. He’s always been a good shooter but now he is able to get to the rim in one or two dribbles and he’s big enough now where he can finish through contact. He’s also one of our best passers; there isn’t much he can’t do on offense.”

 Briggs now will be counted on to be the team leader along with fellow seniors Parker Paradice & Todd Krol-Corliss. “To be considered for the Player of the Year he needs to be better defensively, and he knows that,” said Howard. “Offensively he is as good a player as there is in our division.”

 Parker Paradice returns at point guard and, like everyone else in the rotation, will be asked to score more in the absence of Kubkowski. “Parker has been playing really well in the pre-season. He does a very good job defensively and he knows where to get his teammates the ball.”

 Todd Krol-Corliss is the team’s X-factor. Corliss is a good defender in Littleton’s active zone and he has the size to score down low & be one of the team’s best rebounders.

What Howard needs from his 3-year starter is more scoring production. “Todd is a great kid, and what we have talked about a dozen times is we need him to score about 12 points a game this season. There have been too many times where he is killing people in practice and then when we play a game two nights later he only puts up 5 shots. We need him to score because we know how capable he is.”

 Consistency is the theme for big man Josh Finkle (I won’t call him a center without his permission) who was terrific in a semifinal game win over Newmarket but not much of a factor in the championship game loss to Epping. “Josh is playing very well right now,” said Howard. “He could surprise some people this year; I think he’s capable of a big year.”

 If there is a player likely to also make a leap in production its junior forward Landon Bromley, who showed flashes a year ago as a sophomore. “I can see him really coming into his own this season, he works hard and he listens to coaching,” said Howard. “Like a lot of guys on our team, he can’t score 15 points one night and then 2 the next. We need consistency.”

 Littleton was dealt another injury blow when Mike Hampson was injured during the soccer playoffs. Jason Hamilton, also expected to contribute, has been battling an ankle injury as well. Quinton Eastman and Stephen Lucas are two returning players who will step into bigger roles.

 “I like this team a lot,” said Howard. “The key for us is players taking their game up a notch and bringing it every game not just here or there.”

 If Littleton is tired of being the focus of much of the North Country’s basketball attention they can relax for the next five months because it will mostly fall on Jamie Walker’s Woodsville Engineers.

 Corey Bemis, Connor Maccini, Brendan Walker and Patrick Reardon-Estes all return from a Final Four team a year ago. Add to the mix Cameron Burt, who led Lisbon in scoring a year ago as a freshman and you have a lot of excitement.

 And a lot of players who expect to be taking the last shot.

 “It’s a process for us, just like anyone else, as the season starts to define everyone’s roles,” said Walker of his returning nucleus. “Last year (all-state forward) Billy Green was our go-to guy. This year we may not have one player filling that role but several.”

 It begins with Reardon-Estes who had eligibility issues during the soccer season. Estes gives Walker a good rebounder who can guard bigs like Josh Wheelock, Josh Finkle, and Malik McKinnon. Without him, Woodsville is a team of five good shooters who would rather stand out on the perimeter than operate in the paint. “We may have a possession where we have five players behind the 3-point line,” admits Walker. “That obviously isn’t going to work so we need to attack the basket more this season.”

 Corey Bemis looks poised for a breakout season, as most players make a big leap between their sophomore and junior seasons. “I think Corey can make up for a lot of Billy’s scoring production. His improvement will tell you a lot about how far we will go this season,” said Walker.

 Connor Maccini will run the point for Woodsville, just as his older brother Derek did at an all-state level. “Connor can handle the ball and he’s already proven he can score. What he needs to do is work on getting the ball to his teammates in a spot they want it and are most effective on the floor,” said Walker. “That’s the job of any point guard.”

 Brendan Walker grew to 6’1 over the off-season. The junior may have been the team’s best 3-point shooter a year ago but his coach/father knows he needs to attack the rim more often and expects he will. “We mapped out all the baskets for the entire team last year and I think about 90% of Brendan’s field goals were 3-pointers. Now that’s explained because he was undersized but he isn’t anymore. He needs to be a threat not only as a shooter but taking the ball to the rim as well.”

 This brings us to sophomore Cam Burt. The shooting guard showed flashes a year ago but like most freshmen was still raw & inconsistent. Walker is working him into the lineup and expects Burt to be a big contributor. “Everything we are doing in practice from drills to set plays is new to him,” said Walker. “He’s been very coachable and willing to learn.”

 Michael Maccini will back up his cousin at point guard while Calvin Roy will come off the bench as well. Cam Davidson follows in the footsteps of his all-state brother Cooper and may get thrown into the mix earlier than anticipated if Reardon-Estes isn’t able to play. “Cam has good potential. Is he ready to bang down low with juniors & seniors in our division? No, but we may need him to play right away,” said Walker.

 There are going to be nights where Woodsville looks like the best team in the division and others where their shots aren’t falling and they are susceptible to being dominated on the boards. How this group comes together will be a topic of conversation all season long, because they have the talent and the Head Coach capable of taking them all the way to the final game of the Division IV season.

“We have a much tougher schedule this year (with games against Pittsfield, Newmarket & Epping) so we will be competing with the best teams in the division,” said Walker.

 Jay Darrah felt like his Pittsfield Panthers came together quicker than expected last season as they defended their 2018 Division IV title. Darrah’s team, who had to replace 90% of their scoring from the previous season advanced to the quarterfinals before being eliminated by Newmarket.

 One year later most of the rotation returns and will be bolstered by the return of 6’8 center Quinn Bissonnette. “Quinn grew up with these guys in Pittsfield but went to Tilton Prep. to play football for his sophomore & junior years,” said Darrah of his center. “He wanted to come back and play with the kids he grew up with, we’re happy to have him.”

 Bissonnette is 6’8 and built like a defensive lineman, meaning he is going to be a match-up nightmare for most teams in the division. “He still has a lot of improvements to make but he is a really good kid and working hard,” said Darrah. “Just having him out on the floor changes the way teams guard you.”

 Devin Bedell returns after an all-state season a year ago. “He has worked hard to extend his game away from the basket but we still want him attacking the rim,” said Darrah.

 Tyler Prentice may be the team’s best defender and will attack the basket at the forward spot. “Tyler sets the tone for us on defense. This group tends to be more laid back than the team we had two years ago,” said Darrah. “So we rely on his intensity.”

 Jah Gordon returns at the point guard spot and has the ability to become an elite player in the division. “ Jah is very good in the open floor. I’d like to see him be one of our most improved players over the course of the season. If he is, we have a chance to be pretty good.”

 Jesse Macglashing, Spencer Strouth and Ben Marcotte all figure to play right away for a team with aspirations to get back to Plymouth State after a one-year absence. “ We have five seniors and a team full of good athletes so we certainly have the potential to be in the conversation again in the end,” said Darrah.            

 Groveton Hall of Fame (he should have been in 10 years ago) head coach Mark Collins has athletes as well, what he does not have is depth. If Groveton is going to contend for a trip to the Final Four they will have to do it behind their starters and with a very short bench.

 “Our numbers are down, with only 11 players in the program, that’s going to be a real challenge,” said Collins. By the way, Groveton struggling to find kids who want to play basketball is like hearing Plymouth can’t field a middle school football team but….we’ll continue..

 “Our starters had a pretty good summer and there’s some good chemistry there,” said Collins. “The question is if we have enough size to rebound with the better teams in the division and if we develop some of our rotation players as the season goes along.”

 The strength of the Eagles begins with their all-state forward Josh Wheelock, who was a double-double machine last season as a junior. With fellow all-state forward Gavin Simpson graduated Wheelock now needs to be a 20 plus point per game scorer, something he is more than capable of. He also needs to be ready to be the focus of every team’s defense night to night.

 “ Josh is playing well, the game has slowed down for him a bit. He can score and we are going to need him to rebound as well, what he most needs to do is build the confidence of the players around him,” said Collins.

 Groveton has enough shooters to keep defenses spread out and 6’3 junior guard Julian Kenison looks primed for a breakout year. “ He’s grown and as he has, his game has come along as well. He’s had a good pre-season and he’s going to run the point for us.”

 If Kenison becomes an all-state level player that gives Groveton two players who can easily create their own shot around a good group of shooters.

 Matt St. Cyr returns to the starting lineup and needs to up his production as a scorer. “We need him to make shots because there are going to be nights when the other team gives him open looks.”

 Brandon Laundry played well at times off the bench last season but will be counted on for a much bigger role as a 6’2 junior forward. “He knows he needs to rebound and I like the way he has played early here in the pre-season.”

 Depth is going to be the issue, but Wheelock is a first-team lock and Kenison seems poised for a big season. If Groveton can find that seven-man rotation that allows Mark Collins to mix up his defensive looks the Eagles are going to be there again in March.

 It only feels right to take a look at Colebrook after breaking down their arch-rivals.

 The Mohawks (do not look that Indian in the eye unless you never want to walk out of Colebrook) return a good nucleus from last year’s quarterfinal team. The questions abound though…..will a second scorer emerge beside Carson Rancourt?....... You know what you are getting on the boards and defensively down low with Malik McKinnon but who is going to help him?........and is this one of those teams good enough to win one playoff game but not good enough to win two?

 If you have all those answers today I know someone who’d like to know.

 “ With this group, it’s about getting better over the course of the season,” said Buddy Trask. “ We’ve shown some flashes and we have some kids working hard but to beat the best teams in the division, we are going to have to get a lot better than we are right now.”

 Carson Rancourt is one of the better shooters in the division and should step up into an even bigger scoring role after the graduation of Jon Scherer. “Carson is a good shooter and he finishes well in transition. To be an all-state player he needs to handle the ball better and make his teammates better,” said Trask.

 Daegan Riff is the team’s best on the ball defender and someone Trask can count on. “Daegan has been working hard and he’s improved. We need him to score more for us this season.”

 Malik McKinnon is a hard-nosed player in the post who could average close to 10 rebounds a game. In fact for a team without a lot of size, that’s exactly what the Mohawks need. “ Malik has a lot of upside as a player and at times last season, you could really see it. Like a lot of players he hasn’t shown it consistently yet but I believe he can,” said Trask.

 Joining McKinnon in the post will be Izik Thibodeau and Maddox Godzyk. Neither player was in the rotation a year ago but Trask hopes that combined they can serve as a second option in the post on both ends.

 Dalton Rancourt will help Colebrook as a rotation player while Marik Boire gives them a shooter off the bench as well.

 “ If we are going to be a good team it’s going to have to be with defense. We have that potential but it’s all about making that happen.”

 It was a rare occurrence last March when Derryfield was unable to advance to Plymouth State for only the second time in nine seasons.

 After the season long-time Head Coach Rob Bradley, one of the most respected and well-liked coaches in the division, left the position. He is replaced by his former assistant Ed Meade, who was last the head coach of the Epping girl’s team.

 Meade served as assistant coaches under both Rob Bradley and at Epping under former head coach Sean Young.

 If you know anything about Rob & Sean you know that the experience of serving under both is like meeting someone who roomed in college with both Mr. Heatmiser and the Snow Miser. “Two very good coaches with very different demeanors,” confirmed Meade.

 All-state shooting guard Max Byron returns for the Cougars along with returning starting point guard Colin Mccaigue.

 The plan from Day 1 under their new head coach: Run. “We are going to be a team that pushes the ball on offense and pressures you defensively,” said Meade. “The word I keep using with the team is ‘attack’. We have very good athletes on this team and we want to utilize them.”

 Byron had his breakout moment at Plymouth State two years ago in a Final Four loss to Newmarket that saw him nearly bring his team back from a 15-point deficit. “He’s been very good. He’s proving that he is capable of being a lot more than just someone who can knock down three’s,” said Meade. “He is making the effort to take the ball to the hoop and is working to step up his game in every area.”

 Mccaigue is a very smart player who has no problem getting to the rim off the bounce (I owe Jay Bilas a quarter). What his coach wants to see is Mccaigue setting up his teammates for good looks. “His first notion is to pass the ball, and what we will see develop is knowing where each player on the floor wants the ball.”

 The breakout player for Meade may end up being forward Ridge Gonzales. “He has been tearing it up in practice,” said Meade. “He gives us the ability to score on the low block and that is a great combination with Max’s ability as a long-range shooter.”

 6’4 freshman Griffin Johnson is still learning to play at varsity speed but will get a chance to join the rotation right off the bat. “He is very long and has a nice touch. He still has a lot to learn but he has really been fun to coach.”

 Isaac Plotzer returns to the rotation at forward along with Caleb Kramer. “We are going to be a mostly man to man team who try to speed up the game,” said Meade. “I’m excited to see what we can become as a group.”

 Winning a title in both Divisions I & IV means a little more to the coaches in those divisions. For whatever reason the coaches tend to stay at their schools longer, the turnover is less frequent and not coincidently, that’s why those two divisions have the best collection of coaches.

 That’s a group Epping head coach Nick Fiset joined last March, a group that includes Buddy Trask (Colebrook), Mark Collins (Groveton), Trevor Howard (Littleton), Sam Natti (Lisbon) and Jay Darrah (Pittsfield).

“I knew when I came to Division IV how good the coaches were and I’ve picked up things from each & every one of them by watching film (Gold Level membership plug) and competing against them,” said Fiset. “That list says more about the quality of coaches in this division than it does anything about me.”

 With 2019 Player of the Year Hunter Bullock off running the offense for Great Bay C.C Fiset turns to all-state forward Peyton Rivers as the focal point of his offense and a new backcourt with some pretty big shoes to fill.

 “Everything changes when you lose a group as good as we did,” said Fiset. "Not just Hunter but Sean Hill & Adam LePage were huge for us all season long.” Fiset is right, I’m not sure Epping beats Woodsville without LePage or Littleton without Hill.

 Peyton Rivers was tremendous in the championship game win over Littleton and now comes into the season vying for the same Player of the Year honors his teammate earned a year ago. “Peyton is a great kid and he’s looked really good in the pre-season. He understands this is his team now and he needs to be a leader both on the floor and off it as well.”

 Rivers gives the Blue Devils an athletic big who can get you 18 points and 10 rebounds a night, and on a lot of nights, much more than that. “We watched a lot of film over the off-season and what we found was how effective he was when he was squaring up to the basket and taking that one or two dribble drive,” said Fiset. “I want to see a lot of that this season.”

 Mike Picard takes over at point guard and will be joined in the backcourt by Owen Finkelstein, who had some good moments a year ago off the bench as a 3-point shooter. “Mike has been the biggest surprise of the pre-season so far,” said Fiset. “People judge him because of his lack of size but he understands the game and understands what we need from him. We need him to take care of the ball and handle pressure because we anticipate a lot of teams pressing us this season.”

 “Owen is a great shooter and he proved last season as a freshman that the moment wasn’t too big for him,” said Fiset. “What he needs to do now is create his own shot because last year teams were leaving him open. He’s worked very hard and he’s very creative offensively. I have a lot of confidence in Owen.”

 Noah Bilodeau is the team’s second returning starter and one of the better 3-sport athletes in the division. Bilodeau played very well in the win over Littleton and serves as a very valuable glue guy for the Blue Devils. “Noah is a very good athlete and he’s smart, last year he scored 10 points in the championship game on 2 dribbles,” said Fiset. “He gives us a rebounder and a player who can run the floor. Noah helps us in a lot of ways.”

 Trey Loving (“He’s been working very hard this pre-season.”), Ben Milbury (“I like what I have seen from him so far.”) and Jacob Loving will all contribute off the bench for a team that understands it’s a marathon and not a sprint.

 “We want to be peaking right around February,” said Fiset. “We are going to take our lumps at times early on but that doesn’t concern me. No one has ever won a state championship in January.”

 Four players return from Sunapee’s quarterfinal team of a year ago. There is enough scoring and experience to make another run but Tim Putchler’s team needs to replace not only the depth of a year ago but point guard Brady Grzanna, who will be playing for Kearsarge this season.

“We have four seniors who will be leading us,” said Putchler. “What needs to happen for us to be successful is the rotation forming along with the core that returns from last season.”

 Jordan Chappell returns after an all-state season a year ago and looks poised for a big senior season. “Jordan is the glue of our team. He’s a very good all-around player and there were games where he carried us offensively at times,” said Putchler. “What we need him to do is not try to take on too much and just play his game.”

 Zach Belisle returns to the starting lineup as one of the team’s best outside shooters. “Zach does a lot for us on offense, he knows he needs to be better defensively and more of a factor rebounding. I think he’s working to make that happen.”

 Kevin Nolan could be set for a breakout year as the lefty has shown an ability to create his own shot in a variety of ways. Austin Davis also has come into his own over the off-season and, after battling knee issues a year ago, has looked very good in the pre-season. “Austin is a player who I really think can help us this year,” said Putchler. “I’m very high on both he and Kevin.”

 Harper Flint will step into the rotation right away for a team that gets pre-season #1 right out of the gate Friday night in Newmarket (in a game we will be covering). “We have a good core group back and if we develop the new players we have a chance to be very competitive again this season.”

 If you’re going to build your season around one player in Division IV you’re best off doing it around either a dynamic point guard or a big man capable of winning a game by himself.

 In 2019 Portsmouth Christian head coach Derek Summers thinks his point guard Jason Stockbower has great potential, but he knows his 6’4 center Bryson Lund can win him basketball games.

 “Bryson had a very good year for us last season and I’ve seen a lot of improvement in his game since last March,” said Summers who’s Eagles beat Groveton in the tournament on the road before losing to eventual champion Epping in the quarterfinals. “When you can run your offense through the low post it makes your offense more effective.”

 Size won’t be an issue for PCA, who only has two players on the roster under 6’0 tall. “We have size across the board and a lot of potential,” said Summers. “This is a really fun group to work with and although we may hit a few bumps in the road early on I can see us becoming a pretty good basketball team as the season goes along.”

 Stockbower returns after seeing playing time as a freshman a year ago and is joined in the backcourt by Ty Dollarhide. “Both have been playing well in the pre-season. We have 8 or 9 different players who could start for us so I think you’ll see that evolve throughout the season.”

 With Lund being the lone senior on the roster there is playing time to be earned and Virginia transfer Caleb Rooney is a 6’1 forward who will play right away alongside Coleman Philbrick & Sam Crisp. “I think there is more depth in the division then there was a year ago so you’re going to have to bring it every night,” said Summers. “With our depth, we can go with the hot hand night to night.”

 Maxx Spinelli is another returning rotation player for a team that gave Epping a run in a game we covered in the quarterfinals. “Harry MacDougal and Jake Morrissey came out for the team and have added something to the group,” said Summers. “There’s a ton of potential and I’m looking forward to seeing how we come together over the next three months.”

 Adam Thurston’s Farmington Tigers have been trying to break into the Top 10 in the division since they made the move down from Division III four years ago.

 It hasn’t been talent, coaching or a lack of effort that has held them back, it’s been turnover. Specifically, its been players coming & going during the season. Mostly going..

 Thurston though has a team with the entire starting lineup back from their first-round tournament game a year ago. The Tigers have the potential to make the leap in 2020, but is this the year they cash in on all the potential? “ That’s what we have to prove is that we can be a better team in February than we were in December,” Adam Thurston. “ And I do think this group can do that.”

 Marcus Berko leads the way as an undersized big man who gets it done on the glass and getting to the rim. “ Marcus is a really good kid and he works at it every day. Just someone who will take on a Bryson Lund or a Peyton Rivers and give you really good results.”

 Sophomore Brian Weeks might be the most improved player on the team and Thurston feels like he’s ready to step into a much bigger role this season. “ He has a very good future and he’s worked to get better. He’s just a really well-rounded player for us.”

 Isaac Farfan will run the team from the point guard position. “ He’s got a very good handle and Isaac is a good defender,” said Thurston. “ What he needs to focus on is being a pass-first point guard and a leader on the court for his teammates.

 Keegan Adams gives Farmington a shooter on the wing while 6’4 Jordan Berko is a project who could contribute this season. “ Jordan needs varsity reps and like any underclassman, he has to get used to the physical nature of the varsity game. He’s very skilled we just need him to get stronger.”

 All of which gives Farmington the pieces to advance past the first round of the tournament and on to the next level. “ We have a very good future as a program, with a lot of good young players who love the game,” said Thurston. “ I’d like to see us put it together this season and surprise some people in the division.”

 Mount Royal head coach Matt McMenaman has four starters returning from a tournament team of a year ago plus the return of all-state guard Andrew Normandin. The Knights don’t have a lot of size but they have speed, and in Normandin & Louis Larosiliere they have a backcourt that can compete with just about any in the division.

 “ Losing Andrew to an injury was obviously very tough and unfortunate but if there was one positive that came out of the injury it was the emergence of Louis, who I thought really stepped up in his absence,” said McMenaman.

 6’2 forward Jordan McDonald gives Mount Royal a player who can guard opposing bigs and his ability to shoot the ball will draw them away from the basket. “ Jordan can shoot it and he has good footwork in the paint,” said McMenaman. “ We want to get our guards out in transition so rebounding is going to be a key. That was a weakness of ours last season.”

 Larosiliere will again run the point (“He’s become a team leader for us,” said McMenaman) while Gavyn Magistro will start at power forward. “Gavyn is a very strong kid and he’s getting more confident after having a very good football season (for Kearsarge/Mount Royal) in the fall.”

 The bench will be more experienced this season with both Blaise Edwards and Luke Bocko returning. “ We are going to pressure the ball and I think we have the capability to be a good man to man defense,” said McMenaman. “ It’s a very fun group to coach and we’re looking forward to getting started.”

 America’s Team the Lisbon Panthers return for another season in the white-hot spotlight of an entire nation.

 Sam Natti’s team will be built around a big physical frontcourt and a defense that will have to hold teams in the ’40s for a chance to get back to the Top 10 for a second straight season. “We’re going to struggle to score,” said Natti. “We’re pretty limited offensively so we have to get to the point where we are a great team defensively and one that doesn’t turn the ball over. If we can become strong in those two areas we will give ourselves the opportunity to be competitive.”

 6’3 Jared Jesseman returns at the forward spot and as the team leader. “ Jared has been great as far as his attitude and his effort,” said the head coach of America’s Team. “ He’s a known quantity for us, where everyone else has a new role to a certain degree. “

 Austin Fisher gives the Panthers a smart point guard who handles pressure and knows where to find his teammates on the floor. “Austin is still recovering from an injury but I like what I’ve seen from him so far and how he’s handled the point guard spot.”

 If Lisbon is going to rebound with the best teams in the division Will Lopus is going to have to play above his size. “ We need him to be physical for us and he needs to be one of the players holding teams to one shot per possession,” said Natti. “We need to limit second-chance opportunities and create our own multiple shot possessions.”

 Dylan Colby and Travis Peters (“ Travis has worked really hard in the pre-season.”) will contribute right away along with Nate Superchi. “I really like this group a lot,” said Natti of America’s Team. “ They come to practice every day ready to work hard and they listen to coaching. Can we make up for our offensive limitations? That’s what we need to focus on and not repeated appearances on GMA.” (only one-part of that quote was fabricated)

 A year after narrowly missing the postseason and losing 9 games by 9 points or less Hinsdale and their Head Coach Carl Anderson like their chances of getting back to the post-season. They’re just not ready to print up ‘Refuse to Lose' t-shirts just yet.

 “Our goal is to get back to the tournament but it’s not something we talk about or focus on right now,” said Anderson. “We are just working to improve week to week and see where that takes us in the end.”

 The Pacers return a very good nucleus with Dylan Harden set up for an all-state season alongside returning starters Arth Patel and Greg Howard. “Dylan is set to have a very good season on the court,” said Anderson. “He is an important part of what we do and a player who I think can do a lot of damage in the paint.”

 Greg Howard is a shooter who Anderson expects to see attacking the rim more often this season. “We are going to need him to rebound and with his ability, he should be very productive for us.”

 Arth Patel is a forward who can get to the rim off the dribble while Ryan Lee gives Hinsdale good size at 6’2 and a forward who can knock down shots.

 Dan Tetreault is a good shooter able to stretch opposing defense while 8th grader Brayden Eastman is going to contribute right away. “ We have a good core of returners and a lot of young players ready to contribute,” said Anderson. “ It’s a good group and we’re ready to get started.”

 From the ashes of the graduation of ‘Caged Heat’ Lance Legere comes Gorham basketballs rebuild under former Berlin Head Coach Dave Morissette.

 Morissette takes over and has one simple goal for the program. “ I want us to get to the point where Gorham is back in the conversation among, first the North Country schools, and eventually in the division,” said Morissette. “ That is going to take a lot of work and a lot of dedication from the players but that’s our goal."

"Our starting point today is to be competitive. We want to get to the point where we are competitive night to night, no matter who we are playing.”

 Jesse Laflamme returns for Gorham along with AJ Landry and Ben Beals. “ Jesse has potential and certainly can make plays for us while AJ is super athletic,” said Morissette. “He’s a player with the potential to help us a lot.”

 Morissette wants to build the program in the image of what Berlin became under first Don Picard and then Morissette. “ I want us to become a tough man to man defensive team but we’re not there yet. Not close, but we are working every day towards that.”

 Chase Malia is the kind of glue guy you win games with while Anthony Frisk & Aiden Etienne will both get an opportunity to play right away.

 As you can see, jobs are there to be won. “I’m looking forward to coaching in a new division with some great coaches,” said Morissette. “Trevor (Howard), Mark (Collins), Buddy (Trask) and a whole group of great coaches that will be fun to compete against. We’ve been there before as a program and my goal is to get to the point where those games are genuine rivalry games once again.”

 

Pre-Season First Team All-State

Peyton Rivers of Epping

Parker Briggs of Littleton

Josh Wheelock of Groveton

Bryson Lund of Portsmouth Christian

Max Byron of Derryfield

 

Second Team All-State

Devin Bedell of Pittsfield

Jordan Chappell of Sunapee

Corey Bemis of Woodsville

Carson Rancourt of Colebrook

Julian Kenison of Groveton

 

Players to watch: Quinn Bissonnette of Pittsfield, Zach Belisle of Sunapee, Will Chase, Logan Willey & Owen Tower of Newmarket, Marcus Berko of Farmington, Ridge Gonzales & Colin Mccaigue of Derryfield, Malik McKinnon of Colebrook, Andrew Normandin & Louis Larosiliere of Mount Royal, Todd Krol-Corliss of Littleton, Jason Stockbower of PCA, Connor Maccini & Brendan Walker of Woodsville, Jordan Stevens of Lin-Wood and Dylan Harden of Hinsdale.

 

 Coming Thursday: Division III