Things are just getting started for us here at NHSportspage. The playoffs are a season of its own. With games nearly every night, the fun is just getting started for Jennifer Chick-Ruth and I. 

 Speaking of the 'The Franchise', her and I will be in Pinkerton tomorrow night when they take on Merrimack in what should be a great game, especially with seeding implications on the line.  

 Today I will be breaking down three of the best games coming up this Friday and will also take a look at how the playoff picture is shaping up in Division III and IV. 

 

Division I

Division I Standings, Top 20 Scoring Leaders, & Gold Level Coaches/Programs 

Merrimack (13-2) at Pinkerton (10-5) 

Merrimack Team Page 

Pinkerton Team Page 

 Jen and I are excited about this one. We get our first look at a Pinkerton team who has been very competitive in the top half of the division and we finally get to see what Merrimack is all about. 

 Merrimack's only two losses of the season come to the hands of BG and Memorial. They played Memorial just last Tuesday and due to some last-second heroics once again by the Cardiac Crusaders, the Tomahawks ended up falling 42-40. 

 Barring any upsets, Merrimack is looking like they will finish with the third seed. They pulled out a great victory over Bedford back on February 11th, 46-43, and that solidified Merrimack as one of the top teams in Division I.  

 This is a big game for the Astros on Friday night. Sitting at 10-5, a win would help Pinkerton stay in fifth place as there are just a few weeks of the regular season left. 

 Pinkerton played Bedford until the end but fell just a possession short. Defense is the bread and butter for this group, and it can also win them this game tomorrow night. 

 What makes Pinkerton so dangerous is that Lani Buskey has a deep rotation that all contribute in one way or another. I can't talk enough about the development of Avah Ingalls. Losing a player like Brooke Kane is never easy, but getting an essentially new and improved player in  Ingalls is a difference-maker.  

 Jesse Ames must continue to lead this team on the defensive end. She is the voice that must be present for all four quarters. 

 Both teams are battle-tested and should be ready to get after it on Friday. I would not be surprised if this one went down to the wire. 

 

Manchester Central (10-5) at Salem (10-5)  

Manchester Central Team Page 

Salem Team Page

 Central and Salem both sit at 10-5 and are both looking to lock up a top-eight seed. Central still has Memorial on the schedule and Salem has a date with Merrimack next Tuesday. This game could be the difference between a six or an eight seed, and that is very important in terms of better-suited matchups for either side.  

 I was very impressed with the Little Green when they played a thriller against Memorial a few weeks back. Destiny Jordan is a problem down low and Emly Greenwood has shown flashes of the player we all know she is.  

 Before having to leave the contest with injury, Erin Flurey was playing hard-nosed man-to-man defense against Lyric Grumblatt. She is not afraid to match-up with the best player on an opposing team and her play could be important down the stretch.  

 Salem is starting to click at the perfect time. The Blue Devils faced a 41-27 deficit against Goffstown last Friday. A 27-5 quarter helped propel a 70-59 comeback victory over the Grizzlies.

 When shots are falling for this group, they are tough to beat. Jordyn Franzen is on a tear. Throughout Salem's four-game winning streak, Franzen is averaging 24.8 ppg. When she can get on the scoreboard, it opens up the offense even more. 

 Olivia Murray is a reliable option as a freshman. She is crafty with the basketball and her decision making has only gotten better as the season has gone along. 

 Carly Saif is a great rebounder and works hard for her points. She is so valuable because of her ability to cause disruption in the paint. Saif will be called upon down the stretch and will be a great matchup with Jordan on the low block. 

 Both teams will be fighting for playoff positioning so I expect it to be a good one. 

 

Division II 

Division II Standings, Top 20 Scoring Leaders, & Gold Level Coaches/Programs 

Spaulding (12-2) at John Stark (10-4) 

Spaulding Team Page 

John Stark Team Page 

 Spaulding has come back to Earth a bit with two losses in their last three games and John Stark has been roaming around the top five for the entire season. 

 The Red Raiders would love to get a win and lock up a top-three seed. Mary Paradis has been a top player in Division II all season long. She is the focal point of the offense. Whether she is scoring or moving the basketball, she is contributing on every possession.  

 There are a variety of options for Spaulding. Mackenzie Brochu, Ashley Trogler, Jenna Phillbrook, Abby Ward, and Ambra Breakfield all have had their moments this season.  

 It is a team effort for Spaulding on a nightly basis. The great thing about Spaulding is that they are so young and still have so much room to grow. This is just the beginning for this group. 

 John Stark is a group that has playoff experience and they are a team I can see make a deep run. The Generals have won the games that they were expected to win and are on track for a top-five seed. 

 John Stark was a Final Four team a season ago as a five seed and with the great group they brought back this season, they are more than capable of doing the same this season.

 Anna Stenger and Chelsea Woodsum have been playing at an all-state level all season long. A one-two punch is tough to defend, and both play off of each other well. 

 Brady Johnson has been an all-around player for this group. She has been a consistent force all year and can easily be the number one option on any given night. 

 John Stark will have experience and home-court advantage on their side, but Spaulding has stepped up to any challenge they have faced this season.

 

Division III 

Division III Standings, Top 20 Scoring Leaders, & Gold Level Coaches/Programs 

 As of today, the current playoff picture looks like... 

1. Conant (with a 66-36 over Fall Mountain last night, it looks like it is the Orioles division to lose) 

2. Fall Mountain (they will need to put together a near-perfect performance if they get a Round 3 with Conant) 

3. Hopkinton (Katie Meserve and Maurgan McGrath have helped this team to a top-three seed and two home games will be huge for this group) 

4. Newfound (a huge 53-47 win over Gilford may have locked them up a top-four seed) 

5. Gilford (if this group can get healthy I expect them to be there late) 

6. White Mountains (never EVER count out the North Country, Spartans will be tough)

7. Prospect Mountain (they have been a sneaky team all season) 

8. St Thomas Aquinas (if this group is clicking they will be a tough out)

9. Campbell (another win could get the Cougars the eighth seed and home-court advantage could be huge) 

10. Belmont (the Red Raiders have won the games they should, a matchup with Prospect would be very close to call) 

11. Monadnock (the defending champs could make a little noise in the opening round) 

12. Mascoma Valley (this is a potential upset team, watch out for the Royals) 

13. Raymond (Jeff Hamilton has done a great job with this group and they will give you their all)

14. Inter-Lakes (the Lakers are a sneaky team in my eyes, watch out for Scott Currier's club)

15. Berlin (the Mounties can't be counted out of anything with Donnie Picard at the helm)

Division IV 

Division IV Standings, Top 20 Scoring Leaders, & Gold Level Coaches/Programs   

 As of today, the current playoff picture looks like... 

1. Colebrook (my preseason number one is right where we expected them to be) 

2. Woodsville (their only loss came to Colebrook, and that game came down to the wire, this team is right where we thought they would be) 

3. Hinsdale (the Pacers haven't been talked about enough, they are going to be fun in the playoffs) 

4. Sunapee (the Lakers are as hot as can be on a five-game winning streak, they are clicking at the right time)  

5. Littleton (the Crusaders have been at Plymouth State for a while now, watch out for them in the quarterfinals) 

6. Derryfield (the Cougars will be tough, Emy Plage is as good as they come) 

7. Newmarket (the Mules have an all-around attack and play some of the best team basketball in the division) 

8. Groveton (the Eagles tough schedule knocked them all the way down to eighth, if they find themselves in Colebrook in the quarterfinals things could get interesting) 

9. Pittsburg-Canaan (Matt Jordan has done a tremendous job with the Yellow Jackets, they are more than capable of going on the road and getting a win in the prelims) 

10. Mascenic (the Vikings move the ball and are very well-coached, don't count them out in round one) 

11. Farmington (they have had their bumps in the regular season, but the Tigers could play with anyone in the Top 8) 

12. Lisbon (the Panthers pulled off an upset over Mount Royal last year as the 12 seed, let's see if history repeats itself) 

13. Moultonborough (Matt Swedberg is one of the best coaches in the state, we shall see what he has in store for his team in the playoffs) 

14. Portsmouth Christian (PCA has some quality wins on their resume, they will be intriguing in the prelims) 

15. Epping (without Oakley Lustenberger the Blue Devils have been a different team, it is great to see this group fight their way in under the helm of Andrew Marden, he's been great with this group) 

16. Mount Royal (Sophie Larose has been tremendous for this team all year, this program is on the upswing)