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The Core Physicians Girls Basketball Thursday Thoughts for 2/27/2020

By Lance Legere, 02/27/20, 6:00AM EST

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Mary Paradis and Spaulding look to lock up a top four seed (photo by Mike Whaley)

 This week's edition of Thursday Thoughts will be a bit on the shorter side as playoff previews are starting to be published and both Division II and Division I are wrapping up their regular seasons this week. 

 The crazy is just getting started and Jennifer Chick-Ruth and end our run of regular-season games tomorrow night with a good one in Division II as the young and sneaky Bow Falcons host a Kennett team looking to lock up a top-five seed. 

 Today I will be breaking down a game from Division I and Division II.

Our coverage today is brought to you by our partners at Core Physicians, with over fifteen office locations conveniently located throughout the greater New Hampshire seacoast area!

 

Division I 

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

Manchester Central (11-6) at Manchester Memorial (15-2)  

Manchester Central Team Page 

Manchester Memorial Team Page

 What a game this was the first time around. If you haven't already seen the highlights I highly advise you to watch them (Memorial at Central). 

 These two rivals have a lot on the line on Friday night. Central is looking to lock up a top-eight seed as they are tied at 11-6 with Salem and Concord. A win for Memorial gives them the tie-breaker for the second seed and most importantly gets them away from Bishop Guertin's side of the bracket. 

 The Little Green dropped a heartbreaker at the buzzer and then bounced back with a win over Keene. Central would love to separate themselves from the pack and get a win to end the season against their rival. 

 The first time around it looked like Central was going to walk away with a victory and Destiny Jordan was the main reason why. Her ability to create shots on the low block. She rebounds with the best in the division and will certainly be a force to be reckoned with on Friday.  

 Whatever production Central can get out of Emily Greenwood will be huge. Injuries have plagued her season but she has flown flashes of the player we know she is. She is so lethal off of the dribble because her first step is so tough to stay with. She can change this game entirely if she is able to have a big night.  

 Erin Flurey was giving Lyric Grumblatt fits until she was forced to leave the game with an injury. I expect a huge night out of her defensively. 

 Jessica Lewis has had a great season shooting the ball and Emily Hobausz has also put her name into that conversation. Jailyn Johnson continues to flourish for this group. She didn't play in the first game, so she will be ready to make an impact tomorrow night.  

 The Cardiac Crusaders have really made it difficult for themselves the past few weeks. In their past six games, two have gone to overtime and three have been decided by two points or less. 

 Friday is an opportunity for Memorial to make a statement. They need momentum going into the playoffs. Memorial would feel a lot more comfortable at the two seed then they would the three. 

 Lyric Grumblatt had a tough time shooting the ball against this Central defense. If Greg Cotreau can get her coming off of screens and curling to her spots she should be able to find more success. The Little Green are going to focus in on her and Grumblatt will make the right read ten times out of ten. 

 Tamrah Gould always steps up when moments are the brightest. When Memorial has faced adversity this season, Gould has been there to pick the Crusaders right back up. Gould feeds off of energy, and there will certainly be a lot of energy on Friday night.  

 Jennessa Brunette is one of the best all-around players the division has to offer. Her ability to rebound, push the ball up her self, and her ability to score from anywhere on the floor makes her a tough matchup. Brunette's screen is what set up Jess Carrier for the game-tying three in the overtime thriller back in early February. Brunette will have a huge impact on the outcome of this game.  

 Speaking of Jess Carrier, the point guard has battled a shoulder injury all season and even reaggravated it in the first game with Central. She runs the offense well and her impact defensively could be the difference-maker.

 I expect yet another thriller from these two rivals. It should be a wild atmosphere at Memorial. 

 

Division II 

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

Kennett (13-4) at Bow (11-6) 

Kennett Team Page 

Bow Team Page 

 This will be the first time these two teams face off this year and Jennifer-Chick Ruth and I will be in the house for all of the coverage of this one. 

 Kennett, even without Maddie Stewart, has been a top-five team in the division and they will look to stay in that conversation with a big win on the road. The Bow freshmen have been spectacular during their first year at the varsity level. A win could secure them a home game in the first round of the playoffs.    

 The Eagles have been led by all-state guard Liz Cote. She was a key piece in Kennett's runner-up season a year ago and has emerged as the number one option for this group. If she can erupt for a 20-point performance the Eagles could be in good shape on the road.  

 Players like Sierra Parsons, Ella Chandler, Olivia Scribner, and Sydnie Chin have all had their fair share of solid performances throughout the course of the year. If all four of these players can produce on the offensive end along with Cote, the Eagles will be a tough out. 

 We know that Kennett has the pieces to make a run, and certainly would be in the conversation if Maddie Stewart was healthy this season. Don't sleep on the Eagles, they could turn some heads in the playoffs. A win here would give them momentum heading into March. 

 Bow seems to be a year ahead of where we thought they would be. They have played with the top teams like Hanover and Lebanon and proved to themselves they can make noise in Division II. 

 The scary thing about this team is that their top players are freshmen. This is just the beginning for this group. Valuable experience in the playoffs will help shape this group for the next three years. Before they get ahead of themselves they want to finish the regular season off with a win. 

 Sophomore Madison Speckman has had quite the year for Bow. With a year of experience under her belt, she has made quite the leap in her second varsity season.  

 Elle Pingree leads Bow in scoring as a freshman and fellow freshmen Alexandra Larrabee, Isabella LaPerle, and Lyndsey LaPerle have all had bright spots this season. The Falcons rely on them to step up in big situations and they have done just that up to this point. 

 Senior Taylor Burnham has been the leader of this group and is looking to lead them to a victory to ensure that she gets to play another game on her home floor. 

 It will be interesting to see how these two match-up with each other. Jen and I are excited to get our first look at these two teams. 

  

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