Since 2008 we have turned our semifinal previews over to the people who know these teams better than anyone; the coaches that faced them during the season.

 We asked four Division I head coaches to break down the four teams and two games using blind quotes.

 We’ll have full coverage of all three final four games, all the highlights as well as the post-game interview/celebration with the winning teams.

 

 Our Semifinal Scouting Report is brought to you by our partners at Exeter Hospital!

 Core Orthopedics and Exeter Hospital’s Sports Medicine Team has a wide range of specialists to help your high school athlete recover from injuries, manage chronic conditions, and work with athletic trainers to get back in the game.

 Click on the short video above ‘The Franchise’ Jennifer Chick Ruth produced with the team at Exeter Hospital!

 

 (1) Trinity vs. (4) Pinkerton Academy

 

 Trinity Team Page

 Pinkerton Academy Team Page

 Box Score of the regular season meeting
 

 Trinity and Pinkerton both walk into Exeter high school expecting to win not only tonight but on Sunday morning at UNH.

 The four coaches we spoke to all agreed that both teams are good enough to be the last team standing. We asked them to break down both teams and tonight's match-up, beginning with Keith Bike's Pioneers.

 "They've been the best team in the state to this point," said one head coach we spoke to. "Their basketball IQ is so high, they cause a ton of turnovers, and they take care of the basketball. That's a deadly combination to go up against."

 Another coach talked about the 'spurt ability' of Trinity.

 "When we played them, we were right there, and then it was a steal here, a deflection there and a 3-pointer off of a ball reversal, and suddenly we were down twelve points. That's what they do to teams; they are better than any team in the state at that 8-0 run, and by the time you call timeout, you're already in a world of trouble."

 "Mark Nyomah is so tough; he killed us when we played them. He takes the ball to the basket expecting contact and is skilled enough to finish through it."

 Another coach chimed in on the Pioneers.

 "The mark of a great team is punishing you for your mistakes, and that's what they do."

 "If you help off the wrong guy defensively, they whip the ball around and find an open shooter who knocks down the shot. Andrew Politi might be the best shooter in the state. When he gets an open look, you're surprised and relieved when he misses, and he doesn't miss often."

 Coaches spoke about sophomore all-state point guard Tyler Bike.

 "He's special. They feed off of him and his unselfishness. When we played them, we went zone, and he went to the middle of the paint and was purely a facilitator. Now, how many sophomores are smart enough to take on that role and unselfish enough not to care that they aren't scoring?"

 Coaches agreed that ball pressure was the strength of Keith Bike's team.

 "Devohn Ellis and Tyler apply constant pressure, and to me, Nyomah has the best hands on the team. They turn you over, and then it is a sprint down the floor for the lay-up."

 What about Dave Chase's Pinkerton Astros?

 "They are the most talented team in the state. Anthony Chinn and Jackson Marshall get all the headlines, and deservedly so, but they have good depth, and Dave (Chase) has figured out a tight rotation."

 "Aidan Kane is a kid who makes smart decisions on both ends of the floor, and I like Sean Jenkins as a player. He hurt us in our game, and if you focus your defense on stopping Marshall, then he steps up and produces."

 Coaches talked about the Astros strengths.

 "When they get out in transition, they are unstoppable. You're just not going to find a lot of players in New Hampshire that are going to stop Anthony Chinn when he is going to the basket."

 "They are shooting the ball better than they were earlier in the season, and they've figured out their roles. Jenkins, to me, is their most underrated player, and Tyrone Chinn gives them a lot of skill & toughness."

 "They have been applying pressure with a 2-2-1 with a blitz on the ball after the first pass. They then are dropping back into a 2-3 zone, but I think you'll see them go man against Trinity. They knew they couldn't go zone against Portsmouth with all those shooters, and so I think you'll see a similar defense against Trinity."

 Another coach disagreed with how Pinkerton will defend Trinity.

 "They want to pack the paint and turn Trinity into a strictly jump-shooting team. They will want to make them shoot over their length on the perimeter."

 What about the match-up tonight?

 We asked all four coaches to give their take.

 "You need to pressure the Pinkerton guards and try to front Jackson Marshall, which is easier said than done. You have to make the entry pass difficult for their guards because I've seen them abandon the pass altogether on film if they have too much pressure in their face."

 "I don't ever like to bring up officiating, but how Marshall is officiated will tell a lot about how this game goes. Having three officials will make a difference.”

  "Marshall has a spin move he tends to travel on, but I've seen it called and then in the next game not called. We'll see how it plays out."

 "Trinity put Andrew Politi on him the first time around. Will they let him try and push him off his spot or not let them touch him? The centers for both Londonderry and Portsmouth fouled out guarding him. If he can set up wherever he wants, I'm not sure anyone can beat them."

 "Marshall is so good. He stepped out and buried 3-pointers against Portsmouth and then killed them in the paint. He's unstoppable at times."

 "If Nyomah is making jumpers, Trinity is going to win. Their defense makes it difficult to run your stuff, and Dave (Chase) likes to run a lot of set plays. They have eight different variations of their high/low offense, and they'll go to that again in the semifinals."
 

 So who wins the game?

 "I think Pinkerton beats them the second time around."

 "Trinity."

 "Trinity will pull away late."

 "I like Trinity on that big floor."

 

 (2) Nashua North vs. (3) Goffstown

 

Goffstown Team Page

Nashua North Team Page

Box Score of the regular season meeting

 Steve Lane's Nashua North Titans square off with Ryan Cowette's Goffstown Grizzlies in tonight's first game, and we asked our four head coaches to break down both team and the match-up.

 Starting with Nashua North.

 "Steve is my coach of the year," said one of the head coaches we spoke with. "They lose (Jack) Sullivan to an injury, and then a couple of weeks later they lost (Tommy) Laurendi, and they never seem to skip a beat."

 "They run everything through Jayden Montgomery & Trevor Labrecque, and there is excellent chemistry between the two of them. They play off of each other well."

  Coaches talked about the pace the Titans want to play at.

 "Their whole mindset is to speed you up. They have the same ability to score in bunches that Trinity does. They get the ball to Montgomery, and Steve has the trust in him to make the right decision."

 "They know their roles, and they have a couple of football players who aren't concerned with scoring. Jack Peters and Derek Finlay will defend and rebound."

" They have gotten the shooter (Parth Miglani) more minutes after the injuries to Sullivan and Laurendi, and he's played well for them."

 Coaches talked more about the all-state duo of Labrecque and Montgomery.

 "I love the Labrecque kid; he's such a good player. He has a mid-range game most kids today don't have, and he finishes at the rim. He has moves around the basket and on the baseline, showing that he has put a lot of work in. To me, he is as consistent as any player in our division."

 A fellow coach weighed in.

 "They make sure to get Labrecque touches, and that opens up shots for other players. They aren't great in the half-court, so they will try to get out and run as often as possible."

 Another coach talked about the Titans lack of size.

 "They are not big at all, but if they can get their shots in transition, then rebounding becomes about using your speed & athleticism to get to loose balls and less about being physical and boxing out."

 "Jayden Montgomery really impressed me when we played them. He's always under control, and he has that pull-up jumper to go with a quick first step. That makes him very difficult to defend."

 A fellow coach agreed.

 "Montgomery seems to be everywhere; he is going to play very well on that big floor at Exeter. I would take that kid on my team in a heartbeat."

 "(Montgomery) going up against Rob Baguidy is going to be fun to watch."

 "Labrecque is the most underrated player in our division. He has really come on as the season has gone along and nothing seems forced with him or that team."

 What about the Goffstown Grizzlies?

 "To me, they are playing better basketball than any team right now, and it is because of their defense."

 "I don't know what was said or what switched was turned on but they are playing unbelievable team defense. What did they go on a 32-3 run against Salem?? I have never seen Mason (Blondeau) and Aiden (O'Connell) defend like this. They have been terrific."

 Fellow coaches agreed.

 "They just would not let Bishop Guertin get second-chance opportunities and watching them on film….they just seemed dialed in. This is not the same team we saw in January. They look like they are on a mission."

 Coaches talked about the Grizzlies' Big 3'.

 "Baguidy is the best point guard in the state, in my opinion. He is the head of that monster, and he is actually at his best when you speed him up. That's an issue for North because that is what they are trying to do, speed you up."

 "O'Connell is very, very good. I feel like he got labeled as just a shooter when he was younger, but he has become a really good passer and a complete player."

 "Blondeau can really take it to North down low. If they get him going to the basket, then he is set up for a huge game."

 Another coach gave his opinion on Goffstown.

 "What makes Goffstown, so good is their balance. O'Connell, Blondeau, and Baguidy play very well together, and then you have Ryan Strand, Jonah Lopez, and Cam Hujsak, who all bring something to the table."

"Peyton Strickland is a beast, and in spurts, he can be a huge factor now that they are playing the best teams in the state. Athletically he can match-up with anyone you put him up against."

 "Mason Blondeau could be the player who walks away with the MVP this week. He has another gear, and Baguidy & O'Connell know where to get him the ball. He's just a very impressive kid."

 Another tournament coach talked about the make-up of Ryan Cowette's team.

 "They are a team that is very physically imposing. You always hear people talk about Pinkerton that way because they are so big, but I'll tell you what, when Goffstown got off the bus and walked into our gym, you could see how physically big this team is."

 Coaches also talked about head coach Ryan Cowette.

 "He is as good as any coach left in the tournament. He is an excellent coach. He watches a ton of film and communicates that back to the kids. They will be well prepared for Nashua North."

 Another rival head coach agreed.

 "Ryan has become a terrific coach. He's well-liked amongst coaches in our division, and I think that loss they had to Bedford in the playoffs last year has served as fuel for the level of play you're seeing from them right now."

 

 So who wins the game?

 “ Goffstown by 8 or 10.”

 “ Goffstown is my pick to win it all.”

 “ Goffstown.”

 “ I’m a huge Nashua North fan, but I think Goffstown beats them.”