Division I and II are winding down and gearing up for the playoffs with Division III and IV just hitting the midway points of their seasons. 

 We will have power rankings for Division I, II, and IV with a mid-season snapshot for Division III in this week's column. Expect a mid-season snapshot for Division IV next week.

 Here is an update with where we are at with our senior and underclassmen games against Maine: 

 

We now have the schedule of games, with information on venues to follow.

 On Tuesday, March 8th, there will be a doubleheader with the girls senior team taking on the underclassman team in the first game and the boys' seniors taking on the underclassman in the second game.

 On Thursday, March 10th, the NHsportspage underclassman team will take on the Maine underclassman, followed by the New Hampshire seniors taking on the Maine upperclassman in the second game.

 On Thursday, March 17th, the girls have a doubleheader against Maine's underclassman and senior teams.

 All six games will be open to the public.

 Lorne Lucas of Spaulding will serve as the boys' senior coach. Nate Camp of Kearsarge is the underclassman coach.

 Kevin Gibbs of Bedford is the girls' senior coach, and Greg Cotreau of Manchester Memorial will be the underclassman coach.

 We plan to cover more than thirty tournament games in three weeks, including all eight championship games.

 Jen and I will be back this week with another podcast. I got numerous messages from people asking where it was last week, so we must be doing something right. 

  Be on the lookout for that on the site and social media, and make sure to follow our Spotify to get notified when episodes go live!

 Our column today is brought to you by our partners at River Valley Community College!

 Located in Claremont, River Valley Community College is a terrific option for students from both New Hampshire and Vermont looking to earn a two-year degree or earn transferable credits towards a four-year degree.

 

Division I

Division I Standings & Scoring Leaders

 Gold Level Coaches: Greg Cotreau of Manchester Memorial, Andrew Marden of Winnacunnet, Kevin Gibbs of Bedford, Scott Blake of Spaulding, Tim LaTorra of Concord, Ernie Clark of Dover, and Steve Largy of Goffstown

Power Rankings

1. Pinkerton 

2. Bishop Guertin 

3. Bedford 

4. Portsmouth

5. Concord 

6. Goffstown

7. Alvirne

8. Windham

9. Manchester Memorial 

10. Merrimack

Where we are today: Division I decided to get even more interesting and even more difficult to rank. Jen and I saw one of the most well-played basketball games last Thursday when Pinkerton stormed all the way back to beat Bishop Guertin on their home floor. Fast forward to Monday and Bedford goes into Pinkerton and grabs a 62-58 win behind a dominant 26-point performance from Lana McCarthy. In games between the top-four seeds we have seen Bishop Guertin beat Bedford, Pinkerton beat BG and Portsmouth, and Bedford beat Pinkerton, with a matchup between Portsmouth and BG looming next week that could be a deciding factor in who gets the one seed. This all goes to show that these four teams are VERY close to one another... Abby Wilber of Winnacunnet hit the shot of the season so far with her half-court buzzer-beating game-winner to scrape by Exeter 42-40. That was a much-needed win for Andrew Marden and the Warriors who have had a different lineup every night it has seemed. Hopefully something this group can build off of... Huge win for Concord last night over Goffstown in a great game we got to cover. Containing Ava Winterburn was the number one concern for Concord, and they did just that by holding her to a season-low 9 points. Delaney Duford face-guarded her most of the night and put together another great. two-way performance. Six straight wins for Concord has the Crimson Tide in play for a potential top-five seed. Certainly, a group peaking at the right time... Merrimack has the feel of a team that could get a first-round upset with the right matchup. Bryan Duggan has done a great job with a young Tomahawk roster. It seems like they have found a good balance of scoring between Madison McCaffery, Kaylee Bormouth, Alexis Best, and Emma Valluzzi. The best is yet to come for this team, but they may be a bit ahead of schedule this season with the playoffs approaching... Alvirne is back at full strength and had won three straight before dropping a game to Dover (another sneaky good team in Division I). When their core of Ally Scharn, Paige McKinley, Jamie O'Connor, Rachel Allard, and Lyla Davis have played, the Broncos have been very good. They have had a lot of ups and downs, but with a week left and this group at full strength, Alvirne is looking at a home playoff game and maybe a trip to the quarterfinals... Manchester Memorial has been thrown every curveball in the book this season and still find themselves at 7-7 and winners of their last four. They have tough tests with Alvirne and Concord still on the schedule, but if this team can get healthy they can certainly make a little noise here late. The Cardiac Crusaders are BACK... 

 

Division II

Division II Standings and Scoring Leaders

 Gold Level Coaches: Dan O'Rourke of Hanover, Larry Meader of Kennett, and Bob Murphy of Hollis-Brookline

Power Rankings

1. Hanover

2. Pembroke

3. Bow

4. Merrimack Valley

5. Laconia

6. Hollis-Brookline

7. Lebanon 

8. Kennett

9. Pelham

10. John Stark

Where we are today: Merrimack Valley get their signature win of the season last Friday in a thriller over Pembroke 50-47. We saw them squeak one out against Kennett early in the season, but beating a team that was playing as well as the Spartans were was huge for Bob McNutt's group. Besides Hanover being undefeated, it is a log jam in spots 2-6. There is still a lot to be decided, but that is a win that could help the Pride get two home games if they take care of business the rest of the way... Bow is finally starting to click. The Falcons have won nine in a row, including wins over Hollis-Brookline, John Stark, Pelham, Lebanon, and Merrimack Valley this past Monday. This was a group I was very high on coming into the season and they are finally starting to find a consistent rhythm each night. We knew what this team was capable of defensively, it was about the offense coming together, which it certainly has the last few weeks. Alex Larrabee has been on a scoring tear for this team, and having a spark plug scorer like Juliette Tarsa coming off the bench gives this group another dimension on the offensive side of the ball. The Falcons are ready for a run... One of the first Thursday Thoughts noted how Kennett had a very tough stretch of basketball to start the year. A team that was once 2-5 finds themselves at 12-5 and playing their best basketball of the season. A late-season test against Bow will show us what this group really has, but they are certainly one that no one wants to see in the playoffs... A quick congratulations to Elisabeth Stapelfeld for eclipsing the 1,000 point mark on Monday night against the Sanborn. The all-state guard is having another remarkable season and has Hollis-Brookline in good shape heading into the playoffs... Great win for Milford over John Stark. I don't think many expected them to be 9-6 at this point in the year. They continue to beat expectations and are a legit playoff team this year. Things continue to look up for the Spartans.

 

Division III

Division III Standings & Scoring Leaders

 Gold Level Coaches: Matt Baird-Torney of Fall Mountain, Scott Currier of Gilford, and Pat Roye of Hopkinton 

 

If forced to pick the Final Four teams today: Conant, Fall Mountain, Stevens, Kearsarge

Analysis: This is Conant's division to lose. They have been dominant, and have gotten even better without two-time player of the year Elizabeth Gonyea, 

 There is not a team that has been able to contain Emma Tenters down low. No one has the size to match up with her. Whether she is backing you down or facing up, Tenters has every trick in the bag to get a basket. 

 Double teams really aren't effective with the number of weapons she has around her. Brynn Rautiola has learned how to control the pace of the game and get the ball in the right spots. She can score when needed and does a great job of setting up others. 

 Teagan Kirby is a forgotten about option on most nights and can torch you going to the basket. Mylie Aho scores off of pure hustle and does all the little things for the Orioles. 

 This is a complete team, and no one has been able to match them. 

 Fall Mountain has been a Final Four team for quite some time and this year should be no different. Avery Stewart is having another strong year and is arguably the best wing player in the division. 

 Her ability to score in a variety of ways really makes her tough to defend. Her playmaking has improved greatly, and that has opened up the door for Nora Dunigan to have a breakout season, one that is very similar to the one Makenna Grillone had two seasons ago. 

 Dunigan's 36 point outburst in a 57-34 win over Kearsarge was eye-opening and has certainly put the division on notice. Stewart and Grillone have been consistent scorers for this group for the past two years. Adding Dunigan to that mix can open up things for the Wildcats.

 Clara Stewart and Madyson Wilke have been good for Matt Baird-Torney's squad as freshmen, and some valuable playoff experience this season will only help them down the line. 

 Fall Mountain has been number two the past few years, and it doesn't seem like the season will be much different.

 Stevens has emerged as a real threat in Division III. This was a team that with Conant, were the only ones to give Fall Mountain any real trouble the past two years. 

 Steven Condon has been a part of this group as an assistant the past few years and has done a great job getting everything he can out of them in his first year as head coach. 

 This team has great chemistry and is a year older and experienced in 2022. 

 Sophomore Kiely Bundy is the cog that makes the Cardinals go. She has developed into a top point guard in this division and her decision-making has been crucial in Stevens' success. 

 Alyssa Paquette is a versatile big forward who does work all around the court. She and Bundy being in sync will be key for this team down the stretch. 

 Even without Paquette, the Cardinals were able to pick up their biggest win of the year over Kearsarge 48-40. Stella Lavertue stepped up with 12 big points. 

 Stevens has size, and when they use it to their advantage they are tough to beat. They still have games with Fall Mountain, Kearsarge, Newfound, and Monadnock on the schedule. This will be a great tune-up for a team with Final Four aspirations. 

 Kearsarge is ready for their first true playoff run in Division III. A tough stretch still lies ahead with Newfound, Stevens, and Hopkinton on the schedule, but the Cougars have the makings of a potential Final Four group. 

 The most noticeable trait about this team is how they defend. All five players on the court are switchable and play defense at a high level. That is going to be the key for this team down the stretch. 

 Caroline Camp has done it all for Keith Roberts's team. Her offensive game is polished and defensively she is taking the best matchup every night. Teams gameplan and scheme for her most nights and Camp has done a great job of becoming an even better playmaker. 

 The x-factor for Kearsarge is Rayna Tucker. Having her in the lineup for most of the season has given us a real look at the potential of this team. The point guard has been the calming presence that they missed last year. 

 Hannah Goen and Ella Stocker are players that when they are hitting shots can be very dangerous weapons. They can open up this offense, even more, when they have it going. 

 It will be about finishing strong for Kearsarge over these next few weeks and ensuring they get two home games.

 

The dark horse teams: Hopkinton and Monadnock

 Both Hopkinton and Monadnock are defensive-minded teams who will want to get you into a grudge match. If they can do that for two rounds both have a shot at the Final Four

 Although they are a bit young and inexperienced in some aspects, the Hopkinton Hawks are a sneaky team. Kally Murdough has been the leading force on the defensive end and has set a good example for her teammates in the process

 Pat Roye has gotten his group to buy in on that end and has gotten offensive production out of a variety of players. Whether it be Shaylee Murdough, Maddie Carmichael, Sierra Stone, or Elise Miner, it seems that someone different steps up for this team every night. 

 We will see if the lack of experience catches up to this team, but they are certainly one most want to avoid in the playoffs. 

 Bobby Fortes said defense would be the focus for the Huskies coming into the pre-season and that has been the exact story up to this point in the year. 

 The Huskies are holding opponents to just 32.3 ppg and are doing so with a group effort. The Huskies throw out 10-11 players every night to defend at a high level in short spurts. Keeping fresh legs on the floor is the key to their defensive success. 

 Grace Furze, Grace LeClair, Breann Lawrence, and Mea Carroll-Clough have been the core of this team the past few seasons. The experience they have and the defense they have been playing can propel them into the Final Four conversation.

 

Mid-season Player of the Year: Emma Tenters of Conant

Comment: The junior has taken her game to yet another level this season, turning into a mismatch nightmare on a nightly basis.

Runners-up: Avery Stewart of Fall Mountain and Caroline Camp of Kearsarge

 

 Mid-season Coach of the Year: Pat Roye of Hopkinton

 Comment: With Roye on the sideline the Hawks always have a shot against anyone in the division with how he prepares and gameplans for his group. 

 Runners-up: Kevin Giannino of St Thomas Aquinas and Steve Condon of Stevens

 

First Team All-State (mid-season)

Emma Tenters of Conant 

Avery Stewart of Fall Mountain 

Caroline Camp of Kearsarge 

Brynn Rautiola of Conant 

Kiley Bundy of Stevens

 

Second Team All-State (mid-season)

Abby Rayder of St. Thomas Aquinas 

Alyssa Paquette of Stevens

Hannah Capsalis of Prospect Mountain

Grace Furze of Monadnock

Makenna Grillone of Fall Mountain

 

Division IV

Division IV Standings & Scoring Leaders

 Gold Level Coaches: Derek Tremblay of Mount Royal, Courtney Cheetham and Mark Gouveia of Derryfield, and Duane Call of Colebrook

Power Rankings

1. Concord Christian

2. Derryfield 

3. Cannan-Pittsburg

4. Littleton

5. Groveton

6. Woodsville 

7. Colebrook

8. Newmarket

9. Sunapee

10. Portsmouth Christian

Where we are today: The North Country did not disappoint last Saturday as Colebrook and Groveton gave us a great game. The Mohawks found their offense early on, but a third-quarter drought had the Eagles right back in that one. Aspen Clermont, Delaney Whiting, and Paige Lambert showed flashes of what's to come out of that young core for Groveton, leading the Eagles to their first lead of the game in the 4th quarter. Ariana Lord showed that she has taken the next step in her development and took over late in the 4th quarter to secure the win for Colebrook. No place I would have rather been on a Saturday afternoon... Newmarket picked up a big win over Sunapee to resolidify themselves as a potential top-four seed. The Mules needed that one badly. Lena Nicholson has picked her game up offensively alongside Cassie Mosher. We know what this team can do defensively. If those two can keep that level of consistency up Newmarket can be a threat... PCA has come out of nowhere and have rattled off six straight wins. Katie Robertson has done a great job in year one with the Eagles and has them in play for a top-eight seed. Maddie West, Hannah Dion, Amanda Leland, and Kaitlyn Shawney have all done their fair share of scoring for PCA and are a part of a defense only allowing 31.7 ppg over their win streak. The schedule gets difficult these next few weeks and will show us what this group is really made of, but a great start for PCA nonetheless... The North Country is going to get interesting these next few weeks. Pittsburg-Cannan avenged their lone loss to Groveton last week in nail-biting fashion, 36-35. Littleton is the hottest team up there with the toughest part of their schedule coming up the next few weeks (Groveton x2, Woodsville, White Mountains, and Colebrook). Groveton's two wins over White Mountains and getting the extra points could be big down the line. The Mohawks got a much-needed win over Groveton to get back on track and Woodsville is a bit under the radar at 7-3. Both will face off this Friday with big seeding implications on the line. These head-to-head matchups could decide who gets two-home games and who has to go on the road in the qaurterfinals.