Division I couldn't have finished better on the big floor at UNH. It was the two teams we thought would be there all along in Bedford and Bishop Guertin. 

 We saw Brooke Paquette take over the game with her ability to get to the line and hit the biggest three-point shot of her career to date. 

 BG was back on top after a brief one-year absence. They will be a favorite once again, and so will all of the Final Four teams.

 Bedford, Pinkerton, and Portsmouth have all reloaded, and for the time being, are in a tier of their own. 

 For the rest of the division, we could see a variety of teams fill spots 5-16. The competition in this division continues to rise year after year. We are in for another treat with this bunch. 

 Today in our seventh of eight basketball previews, we take a deep dive into how things could play out in Division I. 

 Our preview today is brought to you by our great friends and partners at York County Community College!

 

Division I Pre-Season Rankings

1. Bishop Guertin

2. Bedford 

3. Pinkerton

4. Portsmouth 

5. Goffstown

6. Londonderry 

7. Windham

8. Manchester Memorial 

9. Alvirne

10. Dover 

11. Concord 

12. Exeter 

13. Merrimack 

14. Winnacunnet 

15. Spaulding

16. Nashua North 

Outside of the Top 16: Salem, Keene, Trinity, Nashua South, Manchester Central 

 

 The reigning champs Bishop Guertin return their championship core and will have one more run with a group that has seen nothing but success the last three years. 

 Brooke Paquette came up when it mattered most time and time again for the Cardinals and returns to run the show for BG. 

 “Brooke is one of those rare kids that can do everything well,” said head coach Brad Kreick. “She turned into an incredibly consistent player day in and day out. You always know what you will get from her.” 

 Whenever things would get tight or hectic, Paquette was the one this team turned to in the big moments. The crafty guard can create offense for herself and others and can get to the rim at will. In many cases, as she goes, this team goes.

 Pairing with Paquette in the backcourt is Olivia Murray. “We have two point guards, which is an incredible luxury,” said Kreick. 

 Murray can go on stretches where no one on the court can match her basket for basket. Her offense has been there since she joined the program as a sophomore, but it is her development in other areas that has been game-changing. 

 “She is a much more complete player,” said Kreick. “I have been impressed with how committed she is to becoming a five-tool kid. She has improved her ball handling and her commitment on the defensive side of the floor has been there from day one.” 

 Catelyn Wheeler has at times been the best player on the roster in the preseason for BG. Her shooting from the outside has been her calling card, but Wheeler has branched out to other aspects of the game to improve upon. 

 “She has run the floor well and rebounded great,” said Kreick. “She continues to add levels to her game.” 

 Meghan Stack is cleared and ready to rejoin the lineup after being sidelined with an ACL injury. “She is still working off the rust, but day by day she is improving,” said Kreick. 

 Stack was arguably the best player on the team as a sophomore, but was sidelined all of last season. Her transition back into the lineup should be seamless. 

 “Something people don’t appreciate is how much she helps us in all phases of the game,” said Kreick. “She is a great rim protector. She has averaged 13 to 14 rebounds in the preseason. It is pretty unusual to have someone who can rebound and lead us out on the break. She just has great instincts for the game.” 

 Sitting out has certainly motivated Stack to give it her all in her last season with the Cardinals. “We having a kid plug back into the rotation with a little bit of a chip on her shoulder,” said Kreick. “It is like Christmas came early. We are very lucky.” 

 Molly Smith and Kate Daley are the glue that keeps this team together. Smith made two of the biggest plays in last year’s championship game, getting the steal to set up Paquette for the game-leading three-pointer and hitting two free throws to make it a two-possession game. 

 “She is a total basketball kid,” said Kreick. “She is one of those players you can rely on. She is tough as nails.” 

 Daley brings much of the same, doing all of the little things that don’t show on the box score. “She will do anything we ask her to do,” said Kreick. 

 There is one goal in mind for this group going into the season, win another title. “They want to compete for another state championship, we won’t hide behind that fact,” said Kreick. “I like the parts we have. The trick will be how those parts fit together and gel. More than the talent, more than the X’s and O’s, the key to this team is the glue between the bricks that we have.” 

 “Special” is the word head coach Kevin Gibbs uses to describe this year’s Bedford Bulldog team. “This is probably the most fun I have had with a team,” said Gibbs. “This is a group that works hard, is able to laugh with and at itself, and can turn around and continue to work hard.” 

 The Bulldogs fell a few possessions short of back-to-back titles last season, and the motivation has been there ever since the final buzzer. “The eight returning players all feel like they have something to prove this year,” said Gibbs. 

 Lana McCarthy will be a focal point just like she has been since she was a freshman. “If you look up the word unicorn in the dictionary her picture would be there,” said Gibbs.

 McCarthy provides instant offense, physicality, and a mismatch on a nightly basis. The all-state forward continues to improve and is now a proven leader in the program. 

 “Lana continues to get better every day,” said Gibbs. “She is very selfless, very humble, and yet she still hasn’t realized her fullest potential. There is that much more she is able to do.” 

 What makes McCarthy so hard to guard is first and foremost her size and ability to finish around the basket, but her passing and court vision are much improved. “She will have kids around her that are extremely talented,” said Gibbs. “Other teams will have to start picking their poison.”

 One of those talents will be sophomore Kate Allard, who is a great compliment to McCarthy and has started to come into her own this season. “Kate has just blossomed,” said Gibbs. “She was a freshman on a senior-laden team and was timid to assert herself at times. That timid player is not on the roster anymore.”

 Allard will have a bigger role in year two, and the hope is that she and McCarthy can be more of 1A and 1B, rather than option one and option two. “We have two Batmen this year,” said Gibbs. 

 The great shooting touch and slashing ability make her a tough matchup for most. What Gibbs has been impressed with is her play on the other end of the floor. “The best part is she developed the ability to defend on the perimeter,” said Gibbs. “She is a matchup nightmare for opposing guards.”

 Senior Sydney Grogan returns to lead the charge at the point guard spot. “She brings calm leadership and the ability to handle the ball,” said Gibbs. “Her defense is beyond belief in terms of foot speed.” 

 Grogan has been known in years past to be more of a defensive specialist but turned into a great playmaker and offensive weapon last season. 

 “Sydney is now able to score the ball more,” said Gibbs. “We never really asked her to do that. She can hit the shot now and takes the ball to the rim and finishes.” 

 Joining Grogan in the backcourt is sophomore Lyla Stein, who was a great spark off the bench as a freshman. “When we have Lyla and Syd on the floor, we have two point guards on the floor at the same time,” said Gibbs. 

 Stein gained confidence and valuable experience last season that will help for a seamless transition to the starting lineup. “She is a great shooter and is deceptively quick,” said Gibbs. “She is sneaky good at getting to the rim and finishing through much bigger players with a variety of moves.” 

 Ava Dubois has had a strong preseason and should be an impact player for Bedford this season. “She is athletic and is a great defender,” said Gibbs. “What she has added to her game is her ability to score.” 

 The senior guard has been much more confident on that end of the floor and will be a great boost to this deep lineup. 

 Anna Stavropoulos swung last year but has been impressive to start this season. “She has stepped right in and not proven us wrong,” said Gibbs. “She is a multi-sport athlete who knows what it takes to win. She brings those intangibles to the team every day. She is a real bright spot.” 

 Freshmen Annie Zink and Grace Wolf should find time in the Bulldog rotation this winter. Zink is another point guard who should see significant minutes. 

 “She is lightning quick and can take the ball to the hole,” said Gibbs. “She can be a scoring threat. She also is a good perimeter defender. The upperclassmen guards have taken her under their wing.” 

 Wolf impressed the coaching staff in the preseason and earned her varsity spot. “She really played her way onto this team,” said Gibbs. “She has a great outside shot and can defend inside and out. She is a sponge, she wants to learn. I see her as another Kate Allard in the making.” 

 Olivia King will bring great leadership off the bench for this group. “We have a lot of upperclassmen who have great leadership capabilities,” said Gibbs. “They are extremely strong mentors and also very talented.” 

 The loss from last year still stings, but this group has flipped the page and is ready for another crack at a title. “This team feels they have the chemistry and talent to do so,” said Gibbs. “This isn’t like we had something taken away from us, it isn’t a ‘we are better than them grudge, we just feel we are good enough.” 

The Pinkerton Astros have the talent to make it to the last game this season, what is needed for this group is leadership. 

 “I don’t think I have ever been this young,” said head coach Lani Buskey. “This will be a great puzzle to figure out. We need to find our identity with the leadership part. Once it comes around we could be special.”

 Avah Ingalls and Kristina Packowski will be big losses for this program, but it also doesn’t hurt to have Liz Lavoie and Sydney Gerossie on your roster to fill those roles. 

 Lavoie took the division by storm as a sophomore, becoming one of the toughest players to stop from getting to her spots on the court. 

 “Her maturity is what I am most impressed with,” said Buskey. “She has been working hard on her outside game this year. It makes her more dimensional and makes her harder to defend.” 

 There aren’t many players who can put their head down and get to the basket with ease, Lavoie is one of the few and probably the best in the division at doing so.” 

 More responsibility is on her shoulders to produce offense with the weapons the Astros lost, but having a point guard like Sydney Gerossie who can set her up and also score the ball at a great clip is a great luxury. 

 “I am thrusting an even bigger leadership role on her,” said Buskey. “I have told her, Avah has left the building, and now the building is yours. We need her to set the tone. I am giving her free reign but also teaching her to be a leader.” 

 Gerossie is one of the best floor generals you will find and has a calming presence about her even at a young age that helps control what happens on the floor for Pinkerton. “Her IQ is always there, but now we need her maturity to be there as well,” said Buskey. 

 Alex White was in line for a breakout junior season, but an ACL injury will keep her sidelined for most of the year. 

 Filling in the void she leaves will be a variety of players for the Astros, including 6’1” sophomore Kaylee Dupuis. 

 “She has really emerged as a nice power forward/center for us,” said Buskey. “She works well with Syd, they have a great connection on screen and rolls. She has been pounding the boards and is a nice presence inside.”

 Emily Leonard will slide into the two-guard spot next to Gerossie. “Emily is the dirt dog this year, she is all over the place,” said Buskey. She has a good inside touch that adds a dynamic for us.” 

 5’10” Freshman Brooke Benz will step into the starting lineup right away. “She is holding her own,” said Buskey. “She gives us that post-play I need. She is a sponge. Each game she has played she has gotten better and better.” 

 The bench will feature the likes of Devin Lebrun, Julia Cahoon, Hayden Lacasse, and Emma Knight who will all get key minutes for the Astros. “You don’t go far without a bench,” said Buskey. “They are all great role players who will give quality minutes.” 

 The Astros looked like the team to beat most of last season before falling short in the semifinals, a loss that has stuck with this team. “Losses give you the best lessons,” said Buskey. “It was a painful loss to a good team.” 

 Pinkerton will be right back in the mix this season, but it will be a process to get where they want to go. “It will be a growth mindset from day one,” said Buskey. “The team's goal is to get further than last year. The talent is there, but it will be about sticking to the identity and staying within the system.”

  Coming off a second consecutive Final Four appearance, Portsmouth once again finds themselves with an opportunity to play for a championship. 

 With 10 varsity players returning and four of five starters back, the Clippers have what it takes for another run. 

 “It is good to have some experience back,” said head coach Tim Hopley. “We like our starting point. It will be a matter of how much we can continue to grow and put ourselves in a position to change the final chapter.” 

 Junior Avery Romps established herself as the go-to option for Portsmouth last season. The all-state wing made great strides with her scoring touch and lockdown defensive ability. This offseason was about getting stronger. 

 “We left at the end of last year looking to see improvements in her overall physical game,” said Hopley. “She is a lot more aggressive and consistent with her overall play.” 

 Another jump can be made from Romps and can help put this team in an even greater position to win basketball games. “The ceiling is there,” said Hopley. “There is not much she can’t do on the court. It will be a matter of doing it consistently at a high level.” 

 The big addition for the Clippers will be a healthy Savannah Emery, who was an all-state honorable mention forward as a sophomore but sat out with an ACL injury all last season. 

 “It was a hard season sitting waving a towel and putting a smile on her face,” said Hopley. “We have been encouraged because she has gone out and played, not thinking about her knee.” 

 The chemistry is there with this team, and inserting her back into the lineup shouldn’t be much of an adjustment. The focus will be on shaking off the rust. “It is a matter of making up for lost time,” said Hopley. 

 The scoring for the Clippers was very balanced last season. You had players like Maddie MacCannell and Margaret Montplaisir chipping in 9.3 and 7.7 ppg respectively. Those two push Portsmouth to another level with their ability to score and play both ends. “A lot of what we talked about with them was being more consistent,” said Hopley. 

 Montplaisir seeks contact and brings a physical style of play to the team. “She craves contact,” said Hopley. “She will get to the paint and play the physical game offensively or defensively. She can shoot it well and finish with both hands.” 

 MacCannell is solid on both ends of the floor, but especially on defense, with her height and physicality. 

 “From how we match up and project, at some point in order to beat the Bedfords and BG’s we need to find a way to deal with their height. Maddie is a huge piece to that,” said Hopley. “Being able to score against size and length and also being able to defend against it is big. To get 10-12 points but also get 10-12 rebounds and do the little things that go unnoticed are the things we are looking for.” 

 The catalyst to this all is point guard Bella Slover. “Since her third or fourth game of her freshman year she has grown into that kind of role that this is her team,” said Hopley. “There isn’t much that we are doing that she hasn’t seen. She knows what we are trying to accomplish on either end.” 

 Slover has become stronger and faster and her impact goes much further than controlling the tempo for this team. 

 “We need her to keep a positive mental outlook,” said Hopley. “We want her to be that steady influence you want your point guard to be. This is her opportunity to show what she has matured into and become.”

 The depth of this team is one thing Hopley really likes. Mackenzie Lombardi was also sidelined with injury last season and should be a great boost to the rotation. 

 “She is an electric athlete,” said Hopley. “She can shoot it from the perimeter and is aggressive. She is not afraid of anything.” 

 Delaney Cote and Ariana Incollingo are “quintessential role players” in the eyes of Hopley. “They know exactly what we need from them. They will be the first on the floor and they got out and defend.”

 Sophomore Sydney Pettis will see more minutes after swinging as a freshman. “Last season was a year for her to watch and learn,” said Hopley. “Now she is in a position where she can step in and support Bella in the backcourt.” 

 Haley Coombs is another player who can step in and allow no drop-off. “She is long and athletic with a good nose for the game defensively,” said Hopley.

 With the pieces they have, Portsmouth should be able to compete with most anyone. “We are not going to get ahead of ourselves,” said Hopley. “We need to pay attention day in and day out and look at the details. We look around the gym and there is one banner unaccounted for. The goal hasn’t changed at the start of any season. We want to keep working and put ourselves in a position to be the last one standing.”

 The entire core returns for Goffstown who looks like make a run at things this winter. Head coach Steve Largy feels fortunate to have his entire rotation back and is not taking for granted the position they are in to start the season. 

 “It is one of those seasons where you are excited to go to practice,” said Largy. “It is an advantage for teams that have a good amount coming back. We are lucky to be in this position, but so are a lot of other teams.” 

 Everything for the Grizzlies starts with Ava Winterburn, the all-state forward who is committed to play at SNHU next year. 

 “First-team all-state is tough to top, but she has gotten a lot better,” said Largy. “This time last year we were looking for her to improve her level on the defensive end, and she has. She has also improved her outside game quite a bit as well.” 

 She is unique in the fact that she does a lot more on the wing than she does in the low post at her size. Her ability to knock down shots will find her on the perimeter most possessions, but what she can do defensively both inside and out will make her even more of a threat. 

 Her buy-in on that end of the floor is contagious throughout the team and makes her contributions on the offensive end that much better. 

 Maggie Sasso is primed for a breakout junior season. “She has matured on the court and physically matured as well,” said Largy. “She has worked tirelessly on her own, you can tell she has been in the gym.” 

 The biggest development for Sasso has been her ability to get to the rim and finish over defenders with her length. “Ava and Maggie do a great job of playing off each other,” said Largy. 

 Senior Ava Ruggiero returns to be the primary ball handler for the Grizzlies and joins Sasso in the backcourt. “If you have one guard coming back that is a blessing,” said Largy. “Having your starting backcourt come back is pretty rare. It makes things easier for me as a coach. It is more plug and play this year.” 

 Meredith Winterburn has improved as both a slasher and is looking like the two-guard of the future for Goffstown. 

 Senior Ava Vaughan missed a lot of time due to injury last year, and her presence was really missed by this group. 

 “We missed her toughness and competitiveness, that is what she brings to the table for us,” said Largy. “She is our best pound-for-pound rebounder.”

 Penny Annis could be a surprise to some teams this season. Annis is a good all-around athlete standing at 6’1” which is “exactly what we are looking for in a secondary post,” according to Largy. 

 “She gives us more flexibility getting Ava out on the perimeter,” said Largy. “Ava can drive and capitalize on matchups as a four with her inside and makes us that much longer defensively.” 

 Caroline Foreman brings a lot of varsity experience to the table. “Her minutes have progressively gone up since her sophomore year,” said Largy. “She can play multiple positions and shoot the ball. She will have to shoulder more of a load.” 

 Last year’s quarterfinal loss to Bedford was good experience for a team looking to take things a step further this year. “This group didn’t have playoff experience,” said Largy. “We want to play high-level basketball and now we have had more exposure to those types of teams.”

 Goffstown should find themselves in a similar situation to last year, the outside looking in at that top tier in Division I. The talent is there to make a jump, it will be about executing in the big moments for this group. 

 “We are chomping at the bit,” said Largy. “Our seniors have invested so much in this program. The entire team is willing to really commit themselves. The group of kids we have are like, ‘yeah let’s do it'. We are ready to get this thing going.”

 Londonderry will be young, but also experienced, with eight rotational players returning for Jon Doherty’s Lancers. 

 Kate Sloper, Shannon Ball, Reagan Anderson, and Jordan Furlong all saw big minutes during Londonderry’s quarterfinal run, and although still young, have stepped into bigger roles both as players and leaders. 

 Furlong has been hurt to start the season, but when she returns will continue on the upwards trajectory she was on last season. 

 “Jordan is our most improved player for sure,” said Doherty. “She led the team in scoring during the fall league. She has a great ability to get to the rim and her jumpshot is coming back. Her communication is big, especially on defense.”

 Shannon Ball is a glue player for Londonderry, who always seems to make the right play. “She is always in the right place at the right time,” said Doherty. “She has the ability to read defenses and make the right pass. On the other side, she can read offenses and make the right defensive decisions.” 

 Reagan Anderson does all the little things for this group, and a lot of the time it can go unnoticed. “Her ability to impact the game without scoring is unbelievable,” said Doherty. “She can guard one through five and take players out of the game.” 

 Kate Sloper had a very impressive freshman campaign, scoring 10.9 ppg, good for second-best on the team. 

 Offensively she was asked to do a lot, and this season will be asked to do even more to pick up things on that end of the floor. “I think Kate can be a top 10 to 15 scorer,” said Doherty. “She can shoot and get to the rim and her defense is unbelievable. I expect her to lead the charge.” 

 Those four will be asked to do a majority of the heavy lifting, but two incoming freshmen will add to the rotation instantly, along with transfer Mia Giampa. 

 Brooke Eacrett will be the first player off the bench and will play heavy minutes for Londonderry and Sammie Sullivan will step into the starting lineup right away. 

 “Sammie is a special player,” said Doherty. “She will fill Liv Chau’s shoes and then some. She is long and athletic with some strength and can shoot, handle the ball, see the floor, rebound, play defense, she is the complete package.” 

 Sullivan should step in right away and be an impact player at the varsity level. Her play could decide the jump this Londonderry group can take this season. 

 “You can see the mental side of them, their ability to handle themselves, it is there,” said Doherty. “I really think we have a good shot this year.” 

  Cassie Turcotte will be the successor to Anne Haky at Windham this season. “I inherited a well-trained program,” said Turcotte. “I know Anne put her heart and soul into this program. She did a great job creating a community.” 

 Turcotte joined this group the morning of a summer league, and from there has been impressed with how well-oriented this team already is. “I was just there to watch,” said Turcotte. “I did a lot of watching this summer.” 

 Right away Turcotte could see that Bree Amari, Chloe Weeks, and Hannah Smith were the leaders of this team. “Those three are the epitome of leaders,” said Turcotte. “They are at that maturity level where they are seeing the value of underrated skillsets in the game. Communicating, seeing the floor, guiding their teammates, they notice those things now.” 

 Amari is coming off an all-state honorable mention nod as a junior and has elevated her game greatly in the last few years. 

 The offensive revolved around her, especially her playmaking down the stretch, and now Turcotte wants to elevate her skills on the defensive end. 

 “I am using her more defensivley, changing her role up a bit,” said Turcotte. “We will put her in positions where she will be a pain for anyone trying to play against her. She will still be a force under the basket.” 

 Weekes and Smith will be a good tandem in the backcourt together. “Hannah is so fast and a good ball handler and shooter,” said Turcotte. “Chloe is so strong offensively. Defensively those two will play very important roles.” 

 Sisters Paige and Kate Carboni, a junior and a freshman, will add instant height and versatility to the lineup. “Those two and Bree are the triple towers,” said Turcotte. “What is exciting about the sister is not only will they be beneficial underneath the basket, but they also have great court sense.” 

 Sophomore Meghan Husson will see a lot of time at the two-guard spot. “The determination of that girl, she works hard, very hard,” said Turcotte. “She is going to be seeing significant minutes,” said Turcotte. 

 The bench will feature strong role players like Izzy Abruzese and Alexa Bean. “Izzy is one of my heart players and is essential behind the scenes,” said Turcotte. 

 Bean was a starter last season but will make the transition to the bench unit where she can be instrumental for the Jaguars. “She is a team player and a good communicator,” said Turcotte. 

 The Jaguars were a top-eight team a season ago, and with the roster they return, they should be in that same conversation. 

 “Clearly we want to make it into the playoffs and have a winning season,” said Turcotte. “One of the goals the girls set is to hold teams to under 40 points per game. Even for teams that may be stronger on the offensive end, we want to have that mentality and hold them down. It is not about outsourcing anybody, it is about keeping them from scoring. This team really thinks big picture.” 

  A healthy roster should lead to good things ahead for Manchester Memorial. Last season was up and down for a group that had high expectations, but with the likes of Madison Pepra-Omani and Fatma Fatah returning to the lineup, the vibes are high for the Crusaders. 

 “I think our team understands we have the pieces to make a deeper run, but it doesn’t happen overnight,” said head coach Greg Cotreau.

 Pepra-Omani impressed as a freshman and gave us a show of what is to come, but that show had a slight delay with the up and downs she went through last year with injury. 

 She is back and healthy as can be, and ready to make a big splash in her junior season. “The strides she made in the offseason was on the defensive end,” said Cotreau. “She has a long way to go, but she is a lot better as an on-ball defender.” 

 The improvements on that end will complement the offensive repertoire she possesses and help make her more than just a one-dimensional player. 

 “Early on if she wasn’t scoring, how would she help you?” said Cotreau. “Now she can help the team in other ways. She is rebounding at a better clip. She is working on being a vocal leader. We will go as she goes and she understands that.” 

 Fatah missed all of her junior season with a torn ACL. “I am excited to see how she comes back,” said Cotreau. “She is going to be a kid that can come in and help us.” 

 After sitting out Fatah took a new role from the sidelines and saw the game through a different lens. “She might have a different understanding of the game now,” said Cotreau. 

 The positive of last season was the experience these players gained in different roles. “I think we will rely heavily on the kids who played a lot last year,” Cotreau.

 Senior captain Emma Rossi has been rock solid for this team, doing the little things and working for every possession. The guards' ability to hit the outside shot and really scrap defensively is a great motor for the Crusaders. 

 “One goal Emma has set out is to be the best defensive player in Division I,” said Cotreau. “Offensively she will have to be the second option behind Maddie.” Memorial will need Rossi to be consistent from start to finish this season. 

 The leadership Rossi can bring and the experience she has from the successful teams she was on will be key. “She knows the type of focus you need every day,” said Cotreau.

 Payton Moran saw an increased load offensively as a sophomore combo guard. “She was thrust into a lead role last season,” said Cotreau. “She did the best she could and really grew throughout the season.” 

 Kayleigh Brunette and Torle Adumene return a year more experienced and will add to the depth Memorial developed last season. 

 Sophomore NyAsia McKelvey stands 6’1” at the forward spot and should be an immediate help for this lineup. 

 McKelvey hasn’t played since 7th grade, but joined the team over the summer and fall and has impressed with her ability to rebound and get easy second-chance opportunities. 

 “Some days she looks great and there are others where you can see she has a lot of room to grow,” said Cotreau. “That is all a part of being a sophomore on varsity for the first time.”  

 It will be a one-game-at-a-time approach for Memorial this year. “We have to keep our goals small,” said Cotreau. “We need to focus on every game before moving on to the next. What can we do to get better this day? That is the blueprint we have used in the past and will use this year.”

  The Alvirne Broncos are in year three of the Frank Girginis era. Each season we have seen incremental growth from this group, and with this hopefully being the first “full” season this team has together, the expectations are high. 

  All five starters return and Girgnis has been preaching teamwork from day one with this group. “We’re a team, that is the only way we have a shot,” said Girgnis. 

 The Broncos have a great senior class that will have a huge say in how this season plays out for Alvirne, but there is also a group of freshmen that have emerged that could have a big impact as well. 

 “These freshmen will pay huge dividends for years to come,” said Girginis. “As the year goes on, you will start to hear their names.” 

 A 10-8 finish was the best in recent memory for Alvirne, and the hope is they can improve upon that success. 

 “I thought last year we left two games on the table,” said Girginis. “Our goal is to keep improving. We want to win a playoff game and have a better record than last year. If we are firing on all cylinders, I think we can make a run.” 

  Jimmy Flynn takes over at Dover and inherits a group that started to put things together at the end of last season. 

 “This is definitely a tight-knit group,” said Flynn. “We have a lot of returning varsity players who want to work hard.” 

 Guards Abbie Kozlowski and Lanie Mourgenos will make up the backcourt for the Green Wave. “I can go to those two and have them motivate the team,” said Flynn. 

 Kozlowski brings scoring and great defense, along with great hustle on both ends of the floor. Mourgenos has begun to learn what it takes to be a true point guard, putting in a lot of work this offseason to prepare for a bigger role. 

 Lilly Nossiff led the team in scoring as a freshman and will be asked to produce at that same level and then some this season. “We are expecting her to have a bridge over from her freshman year,” said Flynn. 

 Nossiff can score well inside and can expand her game out as well. Her ability to control the boards and be aggressive gives Dover a go-to scoring option. 

 Tory Vitko is a terrific athlete, whose skills from volleyball translate well to the hardwood in basketball.“She sees the floor really well,” said Flynn. “She can shoot the ball well and can show she will let it fly. She is 110 percent hustle all the time.” 

 Senior Julia Rowley will bring leadership to the younger players joining the team and Payton Denning brings hustle and reliable shooting from the outside. 

 This group found success at 10-8 last season, and with most of the core remaining intact, they expect to be right in that range in terms of wins and losses. 

 “I can see us making a strong run this season as far as doing better than we did last year,” said Flynn. “I want to get them to be playing their best basketball by the end of the year.” 

 Rob Darrell takes over at Concord this season after being the lead assistant for the past few seasons to Tim LaTorra. 

 The Crimson Tide are upperclassmen-heavy for the most part but have a lot of work to do with the graduation of Elizabeth Blinn. “We are still getting them to gel together,” said Darrell. 

 Leading the charge will be junior Delaney Duford, who really took a jump on both ends of the floor as a sophomore. 

 “She has always been one of our best all-around athletes,” said Darrell. “Leadership is huge for her.” 

 Duford was dubbed a captain last year and has been a constant voice for this group, especially on the defensive end. 

 “She was our best defender last year,” said Darrell. “She is one of the hardest workers on the floor. I am hoping to her even more tight on defense this year.”

 Junior Sofia Payne will step into the starting lineup in place of Blinn, and her size will be an immediate help to this team. 

 Backing Payne up will be Katie Blinn, Elizabeth’s sister. “She is a different player than Elizabeth but has good size,” said Darrell. “Our inside game will be stronger.”

 “She was a really good backup to Blinn last year,” said Darrell. “She has worked on her inside game and is starting to finish more. Her defense is better as well.” 

 Maddie Kelley has been more of a role player for the Crimson Tide but should find herself in a bigger role this season. “She really improved this summer,” said Darrell. “She will be a surprise to a lot of people.” 

 5’11” Whitney Vaillant didn’t play last season after being plagued with injuries as a sophomore and should add a much-needed boost on both ends of the court. 

 Seniors Jaylin Jefferson, Rose Layton, and Olivia Crawford will all be called upon as leaders and to be contributors for the Crimson Tide on a nightly basis. 

 The question right now is about finding a point guard, a position Elli Cox filled the last four years. “It may be point guard by committee,” said Darrell. “We need to focus on getting the ball up the floor.” 

 Concord always seems to be knocking on the door of the top tier in Division I but has yet to break through into that group fully. “We can’t seem to get into that top four echelons,” said Darrell. “We are trying to get to that level. The Final Four would be really good.” 

 The dynamic of this team has changed greatly with the pieces they lost, but once they find their new identity, they should be back in the mix. “As Christmas time comes around w will see who we are,” said Darrell. “I am hoping to keep these girls going so Concord basketball is back on the map.” 

 The Exeter Blue Hawks return a strong mix of seniors, juniors, and sophomores, but will have two new coaches calling the shots on the sidelines. Sam Wuebbolt and Amanda Swizienski will co-coach for Exeter this season. 

 “We are excited about this group,” said Wuebbolt and Swizienski. “We only have four new players this year, so this is a big returning squad.”

 Last season this team took time to gel, but things started to click towards the end of the year. “We had to focus on learning how each other plays,” said Wuebbolt and Swizienski. “The girls gave it everything they had every day and it showed in their effort and hustle on the court.” 

 Of the key returners is senior point guard Emma Smith. The all-state guard carried this team offensively for stretches and can go shot for shot with most anyone in the division. 

 Fellow seniors Hailey Harrington and Rachel Ludwig add great guard depth to a team that goes deep into their rotation. 

 Ari Pompeo was the third leading scorer on the team at 5 ppg last season and sophomores Ali Campbell and Grace Weed all made solid impacts in their first year of the varsity level. 

 “From those particular six players we are expecting leadership both offensively and defensively,” said Wuebbolt and Swizienski. “We think they can provide a good bulk of our scoring and lead the team in creating great defensive pressure.” 

 This team will play fast and wants fresh legs on the floor at all times. Controlling the pace of games will be their strong suit. 

 “Want to keep pushing the tempo and have movement on offense,” said Wuebbolt and Swizienski. “We need confidence from all players.” 

 This team was two games under .500 last year, but this team has the ability to exceed that mark this season. “They have all improved and are all working to make the right adjustments,” said Wuebbolt and Swizienski. “We are running with a positive outlook and looking to be competitive this season.” 

 Merrimack returns a bit inexperienced and a bit slimmer of a roster with only nine and just two returning starters from last season's quarterfinal team. 

 The key for this group will be the returning backcourt of Maddie McCaffery and Alexis Best. “We have a solid backcourt that has experience playing,” said head coach Bryan Duggan. “I am comfortable knowing we are in good hands there.” 

 We saw McCaffery have various scoring outbursts last year but was in more of a complimentary role with the seniors and experience they had on the roster. 

 This year she will be the solidified top-scoring option and should be ready for the challenge. “Maddie is a gym rat,” said Duggan. “She has improved so much from the year before, a lot more athletic.” 

 McCaffery can get hot in a hurry and has the ability to get almost any shot she wants on the floor. “Last year she was more of a ‘score when we need it' kind of player. We are looking for her to come out of her shell. She should have a good year.” 

 Best is the fastest girl in the state in the eyes of Duggan and should have a big impact on this group. “You know what you will get with her,” said Duggan. 

 The speed and ability to score and get out in transition are how the Tomahawks will look to use Best this season. 

 Gianna Maglio and Alana Johnson will see a lot more floor time for Merrimack. Both step into the starting lineup right away this season. 

 Maglio is the tallest player on the roster at 5’10” and will be playing a lot on the wing for the Tomahawks. “She is long and athletic and can shoot it,” said Duggan. 

 Johnson brings a good eye for the game and should be a connector for this starting lineup. “She just has a ton of basketball IQ,” said Duggan. “She reads the defense right and is always in the right spot.”

 The fifth starter is yet to be determined, but this group has solid athletes who can fill that spot and fill out the bench. “It will be an early learning experience for these girls,” said Duggan. 

 Fine-tuning and getting through the early struggles may take time, but once this group finds its identity they should be able to compete. 

 “The goal for me is to make the tournament,” said Duggan. “The core group we have, they have the experience. I can see us in the middle of the pack like we were last year.” 

  Head coach Andrew Marden is excited for what year two at Winnacunnet has in store. “There is a lot of optimism in the gym this year,” said Marden. “We have eight returning seniors who are ready to make some noise.” 

 The injury bug plagued this team last season and made it hard to find any kind of chemistry or consistent rotation. “We played on quarter with our entire team healthy,” said Marden. “You look at last year and some of the head-scratching scores, you look at the book and see that we are missing four starters.” 

 The Warriors are healthy and intact to start the season, and roles are being defined early on. “Players are stepping into new roles and embracing them,” said Marden. “We return a ton of pieces. I am looking for this group to take the next step.” 

 The one bright spot for this team last year was the breakout of Riley Kerens. “She is the catalyst,” said Marden. “She really came on down the stretch. If she can put together a strong season, she will be what makes our team go.” 

 Kerens will be at the forefront of everything offensively for this team, but it will be her ability to get others involved that will be key. 

 “We know the scoring will be there for her,” said Marden. “We need her to push the ball and look to facilitate, do the little things. If she can elevate others around her that will keep us competitive, especially for a team that will need to win with our depth.”

 6’1” forward Casey Coleman returns from an ACL injury suffered a season ago and will be a much-needed bolster for this lineup. 

 “She can be disruptive defensively,” said Marden. “She is a safety net on that end. We are really hoping she can stay healthy this year.” 

 Point guard Marisa Reuss had a really good summer for the Warriors and will bring a different kind of impact to this group than she did last year. 

 “She developed her IQ and worked on her game,” said Marden. “It is good to have a second guard to take pressure off Riley with facilitating. We will have a good one-two punch in the backcourt.” 

 Health is the main concern for this team. Getting a consistent lineup established and having them go through the ups and downs will help this team in the long run. 

 “If we can stay healthy we will be okay,” said Marden. “I like this group, especially the energy and attitudes they are bringing. We look like we can compete.” 

  It was an up-and-down year for Spaulding last year, and with most of the team back intact, the hope is to get off to a much better start and find constituency throughout the year. “Our chemistry is a lot better,” said head coach Scott Blake. “We are progressing well.”

 The junior class consisting of Hannah Drew, Mackenzie Brochu, Jade Trueman, and Jenna Philbrook all have the ability to score in double digits and will be the leaders of the team from day one. 

 The hope is Drew can turn into a go-to scorer for the Red Raiders this season. “We are looking for more consistency from her,” said Blake. “She is really dialed in so far.” 

 Brochu has started to the ball a lot more for Spaulding and Philbrook brings a great change of pace with her speed. “She can get ahead of people and score at the basket,” said Blake. “Her defense has been great. She can guard with better players in our division.” 

 Trueman brings great physicality to the lineup. “She is tough inside and has a good drop-step move,” said Blake. “She can also step out and hit the three occasionally.” 

 Last season was a lot of figuring out who the leader of this team was, which affected the play of the team. “Everyone was trying to claim their throne,” said Blake. “I think we had a great summer. That carried over to the preseason. This year we are buying into each other. I will need all four of them to be more consistent. We need more team play.” 

 Madi Trogler will start at the point guard spot for the Red Raiders. “She is a tough kid,” said Blake. 

 The tallest player for Spaulding will be Gabby Couture, who stands at 5’11”. “She is tough inside,” said Blake. “She can rebound and do a lot for us in the paint.” 

 Freshman Megan Uraskevich has shown promise early on. “I am pleasantly surprised with what she has shown so far,” said Blake. “She is fitting in with our group nicely.” 

 This season will be about leaving bad habits in the past for Spaulding. “When we share the ball and trust each other we are a better team,” said Blake. “When we don’t do that we don’t look like a Division I team. We need to play as a team. If we do, I think we can be a playoff team.” 

 Nashua North and head coach Curt Dutilley will be taking more of a modern approach to the game of basketball, starting five guards and shooting a lot of three-pointers. 

 “This is my first time coaching this style,” said Dutilley. “We will shoot a lot of threes because of our size. You will have to live with the bad shots now and then. It has been fun so far.” 

 The Titans have a good preseason discovering how they want to play and defining roles for their young roster. “We are really young and inexperienced but we are doing well,” said Dutilley.

 Aiden Walker was the leading scorer for North as a freshman and is in line for a big sophomore season. “We knew coming out of last year that she would mature to that next level,” said Dutilley. “She has all the tools you would expect in a great guard. She has been delivering to this point.” 

 Walker will lead the three-point charge offensively and another great weapon alongside her will be freshman, Angie King. 

 “She is incredibly talented,” said Dutilley. “She has superior game IQ, which is years ahead. She has a tremendous handle and is a superior shooter. She will be one to watch over the next few years.” 

 Grace Cardin started for the Titans a season ago and will be in that same role again this season. Adding to the guard depth will be Natalee McInerney and Summer St. Pierre. 

 The thing that excites Dutilley about this group is their ability to handle the basketball. “They can all handle the basketball,” said Dutilley. “A lot of teams rely on their press to score points, and we are well positioned to deal with that pressure this year. We should reduce our number of turnovers, which was a pain point last season.” 

 Giving up offensive rebounds will be something to watch with this team and how it will affect the outcomes of games. 

 “The magic formula will be the number of shots we take. If we can balance that with the number of offensive rebounds we give up we will be in a good position.” 

 This team is young, but the early results in the preseason and positive shooting numbers could indicate they are ready to compete a bit sooner than expected. 

 “We are not ready to challenge the teams in the top eight but we can earn our place in the next tier,” said Dutilley. “Even throughout the preseason, the girls have been excited that they have produced more and earlier than they have expected.” 

  Salem comes into the season very young but the hard work this group has put in early on has been encouraging for head coach Ricky Oliver. “I don’t know where we will end up, but they are really working,” said Oliver.

 Three starters return for the Blue Devils. Charlotte Hinchey is a shot-blocking threat and a great backline defender for this team. “We know what we need from her and we know what we get from her,” said Oliver. “Anything over and above that is a bonus.” 

 Gabriella Mosto and Ayla Regan played key minutes as freshmen a season ago. “They were put right in the spotlight,” said Oliver. “What I am looking for from both of them is consistency.”

 Mosto was named a captain this season as a sophomore and has been great at leading the group in the young season so far. 

 Regan came on as a consistent scorer towards the end of the season, and more of the same will be expected of her this season. 

 “The number of shots she gets will be the same, we just need her to improve her shooting percentage,” said Oliver. “Through reps, she has shown she can do that.” 

 A lot of the roster consists of freshmen who were playing middle school basketball at this time last year. “There is a lot of work we have to do,” said Oliver. “It is like staring a new crop all over.” 

 There will be growing pains with this young roster, but if the talent can come together Salem hopes to be competitive. 

 “We will come in every single day and put in the best possible work we can to get better,” said Oliver. “We will make mistakes, I will make mistakes as a coach. Let’s teach it, learn it, learn from it, and let’s move on.” 

 The Keene Blackbirds return a good mix of experienced upperclassmen and some underclassmen oozing with potential. 

 “I have seen a lot of growth with these girls,” said head coach Stacey Massiah. “Our freshmen are stellar. I am excited to see them add to our family.”

 Senior Cadance Gilbert has shown savviness and confidence in the preseason. “She has a ton of skill and basketball IQ,” said Massiah. “She has stood out in the preseason with her all-around play and has led us in scoring.” 

 Fellow senior Marin Shaffer was a reliable player for the Blackbirds last season, and returns for her final year much improved. “She has put in a lot of work to her game,” said Massiah. “Her and Eliza Mitchell were catalysts for us last season. We are looking for her to have another good year. We need her and Cadance to carry the team.” 

 Senior captain Molly Chamberlin brings impeccable defense to the lineup. “Her hands are everywhere,” said Massiah. “She always gets a hand on the basketball. She has the drive to never give up.” 

 Freshman Harper Zalaski will make an immediate impact. “That young lady is very talented,” said Massiah. “Her IQ for the game is definitely up there with our seniors. She is an inside-out player who is big on the boards.” 

 McKenna Nelson is another freshman on the roster who should find a spot in the rotation. “She is another piece to our puzzle that will be a great fit,” said Massiah. “Her and Harper can both go out and get double-doubles.”

 This season could be a big shift for Keene, who has been working to get the program back on the map. “This is a big year for us,” said Massiah. “We are still young and have a lot to learn, but we are looking to have a fun year. I think we have a chance to make the playoffs.” 

 The Trinity Pioneers look to make a return to playoff contention in year two under head coach Kevin Fraser. “Everyone has been gelling well,” said Fraser. “We are a young team but we are looking promising.” 

 Senior Carolyn Burleigh brings leadership and defensive versatility. “She is one of my top players on that end,” said Fraser. 

 Junior Dakoda Correia had a strong sophomore season, and as a junior will be asked to take things up to another level. “She is one of our leading scorers and is a great defender,” said Fraser. 

 Freshman Bella Santosusso and Addie Moynihan could make an immediate impact right away. “When you don’t have a lot of upperclassmen you don’t know what will happen,” said Fraser. “I am looking forward to seeing the progress we make through the season and see where that takes us.” 

 The Pioneers had a good summer and preseason, the hope is that success can carry into the regular season as well. 

 “My expectation and goal is always to make the playoffs,” said Fraser. “With this group we have, we can accomplish that.” 

 It should be another step in the right direction for Nashua South and head coach John Bourgeois. “We’re in the first step of everything,” said Bourgeois. “How can we get good at the basics? Once we figure that out then we can about adding on later.” 

 Most of last season's core returns after graduating just one. “We are at the bottom of the division, but we had eight to nine games that we were within ten points,” said Bourgeois. “If we can close out some of those games we are in a better position to make an impact.”

 Captains Maizie Barker, Ella Karavanic, Morgan Gillis, and Elizabeth DeRusha are all upperclassmen and bring great leadership and buy-in to this program. 

 Barker and Karavanic return a lot of the Purple Panther offense and should be in the middle of everything Nashua South hopes to accomplish. 

 Karavanic’s journey to her senior season has been all over the place. She has had ACL injuries on both of her knees that put a halt to the beginning of her high school career. “We haven’t had her for a full season yet,” said Bourgeois. The hope is if Karavanic can stay healthy she can be an impact player. 

 Barker was an all-state honorable mention guard a season ago. “She can do a lot of things on both ends for us,” said Bourgeois. “She can break presses by herself and is very quick and can attack the basket. I am hoping she can take the next step.” 

 The one thing you know you are getting from Nashua South is a lot of fight game in and game out. “We are looking to build our defense so we can have some form of identity,” said Bourgeois. “We are trying to figure out what we do best and execute on those things. With that, hopefully, we are competing.” 

 Manchester Central will be in a bit of rebuilding mode this season. “We are going to build from the studs up,” said head coach Mike Wenners. 

 Three varsity players return and all will be relied upon heavily. Mckenna Schneiderman is atop that list of players. 

 “She has always been a really tough defender,” said Wenners. “She is not afraid to be physical. She always plays girls much bigger than her but competes well with them. This year we will need to rely on her a bit more to score the ball than we have asked of her in the past.” 

 Jayce Mendez is described as “steady” by Wenners. “When things get frantic, the ball tends to end up in her hands. She does a nice job of settling us down and keeping things under control.” 

 Sophomore Sylvie Bangasimbo does everything pretty well and will be another player asked to step up in the scoring department. 

 The rest of the roster consists of underclassmen with little to no varsity experience. “We are going to get experience this year which is good,” said Wenners. “It will be trial by fire. We will compete very hard and give the seniors the best opportunity to be competitive.”

 

Pre-Season First Team All-State

Lana McCarthy of Bedford 

Brooke Paquette of Bishop Guertin 

Liz Lavoie of Pinkerton

Ava Winterburn of Goffstown 

Avery Romps of Portsmouth 

 

Pre-Season Second Team All-State

Olivia Murray of Bishop Guertin 

Bella Slover of Portsmouth 

Sydney Gerossie of Pinkerton 

Emma Smith of Exeter 

Kate Allard of Bedford 

Players to watch: Meghan Stack and Catelyn Wheeler of BG, Madison Pepra-Omani of Manchester Memorial, Delaney Duford of Concord, Maggie Sasso of Goffstown, Bree Amari and Hannah Smith of Windham, Sydney Grogan of Bedford, Riley Kerens of Winnacunnet, Maddie McCaffery of Merrimack, Maizie Barker of Nashua South, Kate Sloper and Sammie Sullivan of Londonderry, Hannah Drew of Spaulding, Ayla Regan of Salem, Lilly Nossiff and Abbie Kozlowski of Dover, Aiden Walker and Angie King of Nashua North, Savannah Emery, Maddie MacCannell and Maragaret Montplaisir of Portsmouth, and Harper Zalaski of Keene