Division I has been as tight as ever in the last few weeks. What everyone thought would be an easy-going slate of first-round games saw some of the top teams go down in defeat. 

 Eight teams will be playing for a shot at the Final Four at Exeter High School. This is not the most exciting location as many of these teams have already played at this gym during the regular season. Nonetheless, the Final Four is the Final Four and all eight teams will be competing as hard as ever to earn their spot. 

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Let's get into the matchups... 

 

#8 Concord vs #1 Bishop Guertin 

Concord Team Page 

Bishop Guertin Team Page

 A quarterfinal appearance for a young Concord team is an accomplishment in itself. Tim LaTorra has done a tremendous job with a program that has many great years ahead. 

 The Crimson Tide are led by arguably the best freshman in the state in Ava Woodman. Her game has translated flawlessly to the varsity level and she has yet to hit any sort of wall. I expect a big performance from the freshman, but points will be hard to come by when going against the best defense in the state. 

 Eli Cox will have to do her best to handle the full-court pressure of BG and limit the turnovers for Concord. To have any chance in this one, Concord and Cox will have to limit mistakes. 

 Elizabeth Blinn has been a force down low. She will have to go up against a tough defender in Addison Smith. The sophomore will need to find her spots and not force anything. 

 Kylar Buchholz's senior leadership will come in handy, especially on the road against the defending champs. 

 Concord should feel no pressure in this one. Go out and play your game and give BG your best shot. 

 The Cardinals have one lone loss, and that came to an out-of-state opponent in Franklin. In the state of New Hampshire, to no surprise, BG has dominated.  

 The four-time reigning champs are looking to make it a fifth and have a great chance of doing just that. The only real close game BG had was when Jen and I were in attendance at Memorial. 

 Erin Carney is a prolific scorer for this group and her fellow guard in the backcourt Hannah Muchemore has been just as good. Both can score, but they both cause havoc upfront in their full-court press.  

 Another defensive weapon for this group is Bri Wilcox. She is one of the best two-way players in the state and she really prides herself on the defensive end. 

 Addison Smith has been a great force inside for the Cardinals and provides even more experience to a senior group that has been in the championship game every year of their careers so far. 

 BG has an array of weapons and will be seen as the favorites. The young Crimson Tide will give BG everything they've got on Saturday night.

 

#12 Nashua South vs #4 Bedford 

Nashua South Team Page 

Bedford Team Page

 Nashua South pulled off one of the more surprising upsets on Wednesday night, especially with the way Manchester Central had been playing. They find themselves matched up with an experienced and determined Bedford team for a shot at the Final Four.

 South has been led all season by Kristine McIntire. She has been versatile offensively and one of the most consistent players on the roster.  

 Catherine Covert led Nashua South with 13 points in Wednesday's upset win over Manchester Central. Covert has started to emerge these last few weeks and will need to keep up her strong play

 The Purple Panthers have found success this season by playing team basketball. That is a blueprint they should not go away from as they go on the road to face off with a tough Bedford team. 

 The Bulldogs have at times looked like the best (besides BG) team in the division. There play on both ends is what has gotten them this far. 

 Alli Morgan is by far the best point guard in the division. Her vision and ability to make passes in tight angles is a rare trait to have at this level. Her on-ball defense also makes her that much more valuable to Bedford. 

 When Morgan has one of the best scorers in the division in Isabella King to pass to that also makes her life easier. King has filled up the scoring column quite a few times this season and many teams have been left without an answer on how to stop her. 

 Emma Rosenbaum is another great on-ball defender for Kevin Gibbs's squad. She at times is one the best opposing player and does a great job of not giving up easy buckets. 

 Amanda Jonas will need to be a force down low and control the paint for Bedford on Saturday night. 

 What makes Bedford a dangerous team is that they can play at any tempo you throw at them. They can run-and-gun or grind you out in a defensive battle.  

 Bedford will be a tough-out on their home floor, but with the upset Nashua South pulled off in the first round I would not take them lightly. 

 

#6 Goffstown vs #3 Manchester Memorial 

Goffstown Team Page

Manchester Memorial Team Page

 Goffstown finally got out of the first round behind the play of all-state guard Kelly Walsh and they will take on a Memorial team that has been all over the place the last few weeks. 

 Walsh has led the Grizzles offensively all season long. She has most likely seen every defense in the book this year but that hasn't stopped her from producing. If she has room she will pull it, if you close out hard she'll get right by you and finish at the rim with ease. 

 With Walsh getting a majority of attention, Olivia Brannen will need to step up. Brannen has done a great job handling the point guard duties this year, but Goffstown will need a big offensive performance out of her. 

 Shannon Gifford is another player who needs to produce offensively. She is very athletic and a great defender on the wing, but she will need to have a repeat performance of the first round where she scored 12 crucial points.  

 Whatever production you can get from anyone besides Kelly Walsh will be much needed against a Memorial team that has great wing depth. 

 Memorial needs a good offensive performance. They struggled shooting the ball against Nashua North in the first round and a night like that won't cut it in the quarterfinals. 

 Tamrah Gould or "The Energizer Bunny," as many know her as, has been tremendous for this group. Her feisty demeanor sets the tone for Memorial night in and night out. If she can get her shot going Memorial is in good shape. 

 We have seen Lyric Grumblatt as more of a playmaker with all of the attention she receives on the defensive end. Her shot will always be there, but Grumblatt has done a nice job setting up others and even getting the hoop and free throw line a lot more.  

 Jennessa Brunette does a little bit of everything. If she has a hand on any play, it is usually a good outcome. Brunette is the most valuable player on the floor for Memorial and she will need to have an impact in this one. 

 Jess Carrier when healthy has been a great pass-first point guard for this group. She gets the ball moving and the flow of the offense is a lot better when she is creating for this group. 

 Memorial can make this game a defensive battle if they aren't shooting particularly well. If shots are falling, Memorial should be in control on their home floor.

 

#10 Londonderry vs #2 Merrimack 

Londonderry Team Page 

Merrimack Team Page 

 Both of these teams have been a bit of a surprise this season. Merrimack took the division by storm and found themselves at the top of the division when the regular season was all said and done. Londonderry has quickly become the team no one wants to play. 

 The Lancers shocked Division I when they pulled off a 68-62 overtime upset victory over Manchester Memorial and then ended the season with 58-52 victory over Salem. 

 Londonderry has won six in a row after their 46-43 victory over #7 Pinkerton on Wednesday. The Lancers are hot and are not to be messed with. Can they pull off another big upset and get to the Final Four? They have a shot with the way they have been playing. 

 Jen and I got our first and only look a few weeks ago when Merrimack picked up a road victory over Pinkerton. Mike Soucy has done a tremendous job with the Tomahawks and the team is flourishing in his system.  

 Theresa Twardosky has been playing at an all-state level this year. The junior has the ability to hit shots from anywhere on the floor (literally, anywhere) and has created well for her teammates. 

 Megan Desfosses does a real nice job of making the extra pass and finding open teammates. She also has a reliable three-point shot that will keep defenses honest.  

 Samantha Page provides a good inside presence and Riley Crampton is. great defender upfront. 

 Londonderry is looking for yet another upset to add to their resume and Merrimack is looking to keep their magical season alive. This should be a good one on Saturday night.