With Division III and IV wrapping up their seasons this past weekend, the focus now shifts to Division I and II. We start off with the Division II semifinals that recently just changed locations from Dartmouth College to Pinkerton High School. 

 Today, we have two Division II coaches break down all four teams and both matchups that will be taking place on Wednesday night.  

 Jennifer Chick-Ruth and Justin McIsaac will be in attendance and will bring you all of the coverage for both Final Four games. 

 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... 

#7 Bishop Brady vs #3 Spaulding 

Bishop Brady Team Page 

Spaulding Team Page 

 Bishop Brady pulled off quite the upset on the road at #2 Hollis-Brookline 70-62. Going into this game it looked like it was going to come down to who outscored the other. The Giants have been of the most prolific offenses in the division and it showed in a huge road victory to earn a spot in the Final Four. 

 We asked our Division II coaches to first breakdown the cinderella Bishop Brady Giants. 

 "Bishop Brady is a team that can score in bunches," said one coach we spoke to. "Ami Rivera is a player that needs to be contained, she is a great finisher at the rim and can pass well when the help comes." Rivera has been one of the top players in the Division and will have the chance to show it on the biggest stage. 

 Rivera will garner a lot of attention, but Bishop Brady isn't a one-player show. " Marissa Payne as really been a solid option for them this year and Libbey Hicks and Halle Laramie can be hit or miss from outside." Laramie has yet to appear in the playoffs with injury, so her status is up in the air for Wednesday night. 

 Bishop Brady is a run-and-gun type team, and that sometimes results in forced shots. "They settle for a lot of tough threes and play defense that lets the other team score a lot of points. It will be interesting to see how they do in a neutral playoff site. Outscoring opponents is harder in the playoffs," said one coach. 

 The Giants offense has yet to slow down through two rounds of the playoffs. It will be interesting to see if that changes in the semifinals. 

 The Spaulding Red Raiders will be appearing in Final Four for the first time in school history. Many thought the Red Raiders would be in the mix this season, but I don't believe anyone thought Spaulding would be a top-three team with the young group they had coming in.  

 "The big question is will Spaulding's press and ability to attack the basket slow down Brady's run and gun offense?" said one Division II coach. "Their defense has improved over the season but their biggest challenge will be overcoming a team with a good inside player," said another coach. 

 Spaulding squeaked out a close one over Bishop Brady in the regular season with a 54-50 win. 50 points was the second-lowest scoring mark for Bishop Brady in the regular season, but since their 91 point outburst in their regular-season finale, the Giants have been rolling.   

 "Spaulding is a tough matchup because they have 6 players who can all dibble drive and shoot outside. They are consistent and patient on offense." Not many teams have had the answer for Spaulding this season, and they seem to be clicking at the right time. 

 "They will have to depend on their freshmen to come up big in the playoffs." Jenna Philbrook and Mackenzie Brochu have been huge factors in Spaulding's success, but will the moment be too big for the underclassmen?  

 Mary Paradis has had a breakout junior season for Spaulding and will certainly have an impact in this one. "She is a special player with plenty of experience now who they will depend on a lot to get them baskets when they need them," said one Division II coach. "The Paradis versus Rivera matchup will be a great one to watch," said another coach. 

 So who walks away victorious in this one? 

 "I think Spaulding and Bishop Brady could be a really high scoring affair that could get interesting depending on how the refs call the game. I'll take Brady." 

 "Spaulding/Brady should be a track meet. I'm going with Spaulding."

#4 Lebanon vs #1 Hanover 

Lebanon Team Page 

Hanover Team Page 

 We get Round 3 of Hanover/Lebanon. This was a game Jen and I covered earlier in the season and it certainly did not disappoint. Hanover swept the season series between these two, but it is always difficult to beat a team three times.  

 "The Lebanon/Hanover game has the two best players in my opinion in D2," said a Division II coach. Rebecca Wright has been arguably the best player in the division this season and has been so important to Lebanon's success. "Becky is a force and can play inside and out." 

 Lebanon has some key pieces in Catherine Cole and Sally Rainey who will need to contribute, but Wright is the key in the eyes of this coach. "Lebanon is another defensive team that also has a great offensive player in Wright. They have added some threats around her this year but the bus will go as far as Becky takes them."

"Hanover is the team to beat," said one Division II coach. "They are great because they are so deep and play a system that plays to it." The Mauraders have not dropped a game in nearly two seasons, but a date with Lebanon could put that streak on the line.  

 Maddie McCorkle's experience and skillset have been so valuable for this group. " McCorkle is a really good player, possibly the Player of the Year because of what she does for them," said one coach we spoke too. 

"Maddie is one of the quickest guards I have ever seen and is a tough kid to cover because she attacks the basket so well but can also stop on a dime and shoot a mid-range jumper or a three," said one coach. McCorkle's offensive game has been the difference for this group. 

 Charlotte Johnson has been a tremendous defensive stopper for this group and Stella Galanes has gotten better and more confident with each game.   

 Both teams have the pieces to move on. There should be no surprises in this game as these teams have seen plenty of each other over the years. 

 So who wins this one?  

 "This will be the third time they play and Hanover has all the pressure. It is hard to beat a team three times. This should be the game of the tournament and it is happening in the semis. I'm going with Hanover in a close one." 

 "It should be a battle. I'm taking Hanover."