We will kick off our first Thursday Thoughts with a look at both Division III and Division IV and how things stand early on. 

 Every week we will break down the top ten teams in the division and highlight one team just outside the mix. 

 Our column today is brought to you by our friends and partners at White Mountains Community College! 

Division III

Division III Standings and Scoring Leaders

Gold Level Coaches/Programs: Scott Currier of Gilford 

1. Conant: The Orioles have had one of the tougher schedules to start the season but have gotten through all of the hurdles they have faced so far. While these aren't the blowout scores we are used to this group producing, they are still getting the job done, and Emma Tenters and Brynn Rautiola are pacing this offense like usual. 

2. Monadnock: It has been a balanced offensive attack for the Huskies through three games, with Breann Lawerence, Mea Carrol-Clough, and Bailee Soucia leading the way and all averaging 9.7 ppg. Tonight will put their division-best defense to the test with Concord Christian. The Kingsmen will want to get out and run, while I think Monadnock may prefer to slow things down and make it a slug-fest. They have the defenders to compete, but can their offense continue to do the same? 

3. Stevens: The Cardinals are still not at full strength with Alyssa Paquette yet to make an appearance this season and Stella Lavertue missing Monday's win over Newport, but this team still finds themselves at 2-1. Tara Sullivan has really stepped up for this group and provided much-needed offense (11.7 ppg) and great inside defense. Gilford comes to town tonight and should be a great test for a currently short-handed team. 

4. Concord Christian: While this group is undefeated at 3-0, they have not gotten a true Division III test yet, but that will come tonight when they travel to take on Monadnock. This will be the best defense they have seen in the last year, but they have the guard play and speed to run with anyone in this division. If they can control the tempo the Kingsmen could get a marquee win. 

5. Hopkinton: If anyone was going to limit Conant to just 34 points and hold Emma Tenters and Brynn Rautiola to just four second-half points, it would be a Pat Roye-coached team. The ball moves well with this team, and that shows with even scoring numbers seen from the Hawks through three games. A trip to Kearsarge is another early-season test for a group that has high aspirations. 

6. Kearsarge: Ed Tenney preached defense and getting out in transition in the pre-season and the Cougars seem to be doing just that. Tessa Marinello has been a great spark  (16.5 ppg) for a Kearsarge offense that gets their toughest defensive test with Hopkinton tonight. 

7. Prospect Mountain: Prospect has stormed out of the gates to a 4-0 start. They have 3-4 players on the floor at a time that can be threats from all three levels. Their ability to crash the offensive glass has impressed early. The schedule gets tougher as we get into January, and gives this group an opportunity to jump up a few more spots. 

8. Gilford: What impressed me most with the Golden Eagles back on opening night was their ability to push the basketball. They like to get out in transition and make the game a foot race from the opening tap. Olivia Keenan is a tone-setter defensively for this group and Vanessa Flanders has played at an all-state level through four games. 

9. Winnisquam: Although they sit at 1-2, this team hasn't been fully healthy for all of their games but finally put things together against St. Thomas, scoring 82 points, 38 of which came from Lauren MacDonald who has found a rhythm offensively. When this team is on the same page, they can produce numbers like they did on Monday night. 

10. St. Thomas: The depth St. Thomas can throw at you is what makes them so intriguing to watch. The height they posess is something most teams in this division don't come close to having and having Abby Rayder be the lead guard for this team keeps them in a lot of ball games. 

Spotlight Team of the Week: Berlin 

The Mountaineers have had to earn both of their wins in overtime, and both on the road as well. Makenna Peare hit the game-clinching free throw to fend off Newfound 51-50 and has been playing at an all-state level for this group. Rival White Mountains awaits them after the break and could be another step toward playoff contention for Don Picard's squad. 

Division IV 

Division IV Standings and Scoring Leaders

Gold Level Coaches/Programs: Duane Call of Colebrook, Derek Tremblay of Mount Royal, Dawn Weeks of Farmington, and Tim Haskins of Groveton

1. Colebrook: Having a player like Haley Rossitto is certainly a luxury, and is even more of one when she is your leading scorer at 12.0 ppg. The Mohawks have taken care of business thus far but return from the holidays with a good home stretch of Gorham, Littleton, and Sunapee.

2. Groveton: While they have only played two games, Groveton has been dominant in both of their wins. By the time we get to the middle of January, we should know a bit more about this team, but for now, we can see that the Eagles are getting contributions all around the board. Marissa Kenison (17.5 ppg) has performed like her all-state-self and the play of Delaney Whiting (13.0 ppg), Paige Lambert (9.0 ppg), and Aspen Clermont (7.0 ppg) have been big early on. 

3. Littleton: The Crusaders put on a defensive clinic in the first half against PCA, allowing just six points. Like Lauryn Corrigan said in the interview, this Littleton team is young, but they really seem to be bought in. Addison Hadlock seems to be putting things together, especially defensively, and Addison Pilgrim has been a real bright spot through five games. The steady play of Corrigan and Ella Horsch on the perimeter has given this team a real edge. 

4. Portsmouth Christian: Despite the loss to Littleton, the Eagles have looked like a contender early on. Hannah Dion has true size down low and can terrorize teams on the glass. Maddie West brings you experience and instant scoring and freshman Ava Buchanan has already become a go-to option for PCA. The pieces are there for PCA to make a run. 

5. Epping: The Epping Blue Devils find themselves in the Top 10 after a last-second win over Newmarket and a strong 5-1 start to the season. They really limited Lena Nicholson in the second half and hit timely shots throughout to will their way to a win. That seems to be what has happened through six games for this team, just find a way to win. The McAniff twins Laney and Mae have stepped up for this team and Anabelle Shumway has come into her own as a scorer. 

6. Newmarket: When Lena Nicholson is getting open looks good things are happening for the Mules, but what we saw last night in the second half was Epping shut her down and this offense go stagnant. Most of the looks the Mules were getting late in the game were either at the line or in transition. Defense is what fuels this group, but they must find scoring outside of Nicholson. Freshman Amaya Beckles seems to be the answer to that problem, but it will need to be a team effort. 

7. Sunapee: It has been a bit of an up-and-down start for the Lakers. This team hasn't been on the court all together through their first five games, but Sunapee has won three and a row and can get back on the right track. 

8. Hinsdale: Hinsdale finds themselves at 4-0 and has gotten great play out of Brooke Pagach and Addy Nardolillo. Most of these games have been close calls, but the defense this group can play has won them these games in the end.

9. Woodsville: Paige Royer is off to the start Tori Clough hoped she would have come into the season and Eliza Wagstaff has filled her bigger role nicely so far. Defensively is where this team can thrive and sneak up on a few teams, but the offense hasn't been too far behind as their production on that end has been a bit of a bright spot here early. 

10. Gorham: The Huskies have gotten great play out of Madison Girouard running the offense to start the season and on the other side of the ball Sarah Godin and Jess Burton have brought a good physical presence. Losing Chaise Wade to a broken leg will hurt their depth and they have a crucial stretch coming up after the winter break that could set the tone for how their regular season goes. 

Spotlight Team of the Week: Pittsburg-Cannan

With wins over Woodsville and Gorham, the Yellow Jackets are starting to figure things out. For a team that graduated nearly 90% of their offense from last year, it was bound to take some time out of the gate. Two wins against quality opponents should be a big confidence boost for this group. 

Happy Holidays!