skip navigation

The Concord Orthopedics Division II Girls Basketball Quarterfinal Preview

By Lance Legere, 03/06/20, 6:00AM EST

Share

Madison Speckman and Bow travel to take on #1 Hanover on Friday night (photo by NH Sports Photography)

 After many months of waiting to see where the Division II Final Four and Championship game would be held, we finally got our answer; Dartmouth. 

 Before these teams even want to think about playing there, they must get through the quarterfinals first. Sanborn was the lone upset in Division II by knocking off #6 in a thrilling 33-32 contest. Other than that, the top dogs made it through round one and are ready for a shot at the semifinals. 

  Today’s preview is brought to you by our friends and partners at Concord Orthopaedics with locations in Concord, Derry, Windham, and New London 

Let's get into the matchups... 

 

#8 Bow vs #1 Hanover 

Bow Team Page 

Hanover Team Page

 The reigning champs are undefeated once again and are looking to make it consecutive trips to the Final Four, but they will have to get through a young and pesky Bow team to do so. 

 The Falcons put on a dominant performance against Kennett when Jen and I saw them just a week ago. Their freshman play like they are upperclassmen and Taylor Burnham has been a tremendous leader for this group. 

 Elle Pingree is going to have a mismatch down-low. What is so unique about her game is that she handles the ball like a guard at her size and can beat you off the dribble. Willa Parkins of Hanover will need to hold her down defensively.  

 The LaPerle sisters, Isabella and Lyndsey, have been electric for Bow. They bring an intensity on the defensive end that is tough to match and will need to contain the wings of Hanover. 

 Alex Larrabee is yet another freshman for Bow who brings versatility on both ends of the floor. The Falcons are playing with house money and I expect them to give the defending champs a good game. 

 Maddie McCorkle has had an impact in all 19 games Hanover has won this season. The senior has looked like a seasoned veteran out on the floor as she brings the intensity on both ends. Having a player like her on your roster is such a luxury for Dan O'Rourke. 

 Charlotte Johnson may be tasked with guarding Elle Pingree. She is a versatile defender that has the ability to switch onto any player on the floor. Even with Bow's length, Johnson will be able to affect shots. 

 Stella Galanes has improved with every game and has to be on every teams scouting report going forward. Her decision making has improved and her confidence has skyrocketed. The playoffs are a different atmosphere, but her 24 points in the first round proved the moment doesn't faze her. 

 The youthful Falcons will do their best to give Hanover a run in this one. The pressure is on Hanover, but they have been in these moments before. 

 

#5 John Stark vs #4 Lebanon 

John Stark Team Page 

Lebanon Team Page

 The four-five matchup is usually the tightest game of the quarterfinals. Lebanon's 60-18 victory over this same John Stark team during the regular season may tell you otherwise, but this is the playoffs, the regular season is a thing of the past.  

 The Generals are rolling and have not dropped a game since February 11th. Bruce Johnson has done a tremendous job of keeping John Stark in Final Four contention. John Stark is capable of making it back to the semifinals, but it will take a team effort. 

 Chelsea Woodsum recently netted her 1,000 points and has been an all-state level talent all season long. She has been a steady force this year and John Stark will need as much as they can get from Woodsum tonight. 

 Anna Stenger and Woodsum have been a tough one-two punch to handle. Stenger provides a reliable option from behind the arc and helps takes attention off of Woodsum at times. If one of Stenger or Woodsum gets going, the other should be expecting open looks. 

 Brady Johnson has been consistent and adds another double-digit scorer to a tough trio of players to defend against. Lebanon may have to focus on one or two and force the other to beat them. 

 Rebecca Wright has been unguardable at times this season. Wright in the high-post is a scary site for opposing defenses. She has the ability to take the elbow jumper, take you off the dribble to the basket, or step back for a three-pointer. Wright excels at all three levels on the floor and will be the main focus for John Stark on defense.   

 Sally Rainey provides great energy to this group. She doesn't back down from any challenge on the low post and crashes the boards with assertiveness. She can spark this team on the defensive end as they will have a lot to deal with on that side of the floor. 

 The play of Catherine Cole has elevated this group. Cole has done a great job handling the basketball and limiting turnovers. She has a great first step and a reliable jumpshot from outside the arc. The Raiders will be counting on the sophomore to step up and help defend home court.  

 Don't let the regular-season matchup between these two fool you. The playoffs are a different type of atmosphere, and both teams will be motivated to keep their seasons alive.  

 

#7 Bishop Brady vs #2 Hollis-Brookline 

Bishop Brady Team Page 

Hollis-Brookline Team Page

 Two teams that like to light up the scoreboard will be facing off tonight in which should be a high-scoring affair. 

 Bishop Brady can score with the best of them. The Giants feel to Hollis-Brookline 78-67 back on February 20th in a game that was very even throughout. 

 Ami Rivera is one of the best guards in the division. The junior is another three-level scoring threat that provides instant offense. Rivera can score it as well as she dishes it. Her ability to play make and find open teammates makes her so versatile.

 Halle Laramie has had a breakout season for Bishop Brady and has been a key contributor to their success. Laramie didn't dress in their first-round win against Merrimack Valley so her health may be up in the air for this one. If Laramie plays Brady will feel a lot more comfortable in this game.

 Marrisa Payne provides what could be a mismatch for Hollis-Brookline. At 6'1" Payne has good size and scoring ability on the low-post. Freshmen Cheyenne Colbert will be the likely player to matchup with Payne and vice versa on the other end of the floor.   

 Christina Balsamo has had a tremendous senior season. The 5'7" guard has the ability to create her own shot off the dribble and is very crafty getting to the basket. Teams have thrown double teams at her off of screens and have made life difficult getting a shot off. With both teams being so offensively oriented, I think Balsamo will have a big night. 

 Elisabeth Stapelfeld really impressed me when we covered HB against Hanover. When the Cavaliers were in a drought, Stapelfeld took over the game. She handles the point guard duties and makes things happen for this Hollis-Brookline squad. 

 Cheyenne Colbert has had a great freshmen season and has great raw talent. She has done well in the rebounding department and will need to step up defensively against Marissa Payne. 

 Elizabeth Bonnette and Amanda Goclowski have been consistent throughout. At times they can be forgotten options for opposing defenses with all of the attention Balsamo and Stapelfeld garner, but I think Bonnette and Goclowski like that narrative. They go to work every single night and give effort on both ends of the floor. 

 Whoever shoots the ball better than the other may be the deciding factor in this one as I am sure it will be high-scoring.  

 

#11 Sanborn vs #3 Spaulding 

Sanborn Team Page 

Spaulding Team Page 

 Both Sanborn and Spaulding are a year ahead of schedule and both have a great chance of getting to Dartmouth. 

 It wasn't too surprising to see Sanborn go on the road and upset Kennett as they beat that same Eagles at the buzzer a few weeks ago. Brain Gray has done a great job getting his team to peak at the right time. 

 Madison Houghton was a highly regarded player coming into the season and has lived up to the hype. Houghton has been there are all year and has been so consistent. If Sanborn wants to pull off another upset on the road, Houghton will need to be in the mix for four quarters. 

 Ellen McGough has had a breakout season as a junior. She hit the game-winner to beat Kennett in the regular season and has since been as confident as ever. McGough and Houghton will lead the charge on the offensive end in this one. 

 Grace Merry-Carriero must be guarded from behind the arc. If Spaulding lets her get a few looks to fall early, they will be in for a long night. 

 Mary Paradis has emerged onto the scene as one of the best players in Division II. She has been the leader for the Red Raiders on both ends of the floor. She scored 15 points in their opening-round victory over Kearsarge and will need to put together a similar performance to get through Sanborn. 

 A variety of players have stepped up for Spaulding throughout the season. Mackenzie Brochu and Jenna Philbrook have played like upperclassmen as freshmen. Their play defensively has been a bright spot for the Red Raiders.  

 Ambra Breakfield and Ashley Trogler have been reliable offensive weapons all season. You need role players to step up in the playoffs, and I think Breakfield and Trogler can do just that. 

 Spaulding took the regular-season matchup with Sanborn during the regular season 57-41 back in early January, but Sanborn is a different team now. Both are playing good basketball at the right time. Sanborn will have the upset mentality in round two and Spaulding will look to keep their great season alive. 

Most Popular

Tag(s): Home  Article Archives  Girls Basketball  NHIAA Division II  Bishop Brady  Bow  Hanover  Hollis-Brookline  John Stark  Lebanon  Sanborn  Spaulding