Today we will take a look at both Division III and IV at the midway point of the regular season. 

 Division IV holds a bit of uncertainty, as there has not been one clear cut favorite that has separated themselves from the rest.

 Division III on the other hand has solidified contenders, and a lot of teams who can get into that Final Four mix. 

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

 

Division III

Division III Standings and Scoring Leaders

Gold Level Coaches/Programs: Scott Currier of Gilford 

 

If forced to pick Final Four teams today: Conant, Concord Christian, Stevens, and Hopkinton

 Even at the midway point, Conant and Concord Christian feel like locks to be in the semifinals and possibly even meet for the championship. 

 We knew Conant would come back hungry and ready to prove who they are once again and they have done just that. 

 There aren't many better one-two punches in the state than Emma Tenters and Brynn Rautiola. No teams possess the size that Tenters brings to contain or even try to replicate what Tenters does on the floor, and Rautiola is the perfect floor general for a team with championship aspirations. 

 This group has also played one of the tougher schedules through nine games, seeing Stevens, Monadnock twice, Hopkinton, and Concord Christian all in the first half of their schedule. 

 They will be ready come playoff time, and with the experience they already have in the postseason will come in handy down the stretch.

 The Orioles led early and often in their game against Concord Christian in a possible finals preview, but the Kingsmen came storming back with their great outside shooting. 

 This group is young, but they have won a lot of basketball games over the last year. 

 When Emma Smith and Sarah Muir get going, it is a scary sight to see for most defenses. 

 This team only dresses seven, but they like to get out and run and really push the pace. If they turn a game into a foot race they usually come out victorious. 

 Division III is a new challenge, and they have passed it with flying colors so far. They have proved they belong and have a real shot at winning the whole thing. 

 Stevens is finally healthy and looks like the junior and senior-laden team that they are. Kiley Bundy can go toe-to-toe with a player like Rautiola and over the past few years has learned how to run a team as a floor general. 

 Getting Alyssa Paquette has done wonders for this team as she didn't suit up in their opening night loss to Conant. They get another crack at them on 1/28 and will be a good measuring stick of where this team is as a contender. 

 The play of Tara Sullivan can't get unnoticed as she played a big role in their strong start to the season. 

 This group has been working hard to get over the quarterfinal hump, and this might just be the year. 

 Hopkinton you could say is the wildcard of this group, but they have some quality wins and even quality losses against Conant and Monadnock. 

 Everyone on the team knows their role and they execute it every single night. Pat Roye made it known early what he expects of everyone, and they really work well as a cohesive unit. 

 Sophomore Shaylee Murdough has made a real jump in year two. The defense has gotten even better and she can score like a top option, which many opposing teams are recognizing. 

 Murdough was face guarded nearly the entire game when we covered them against Kearsarge, but still helped generate a ton of great looks from the attention she was garnering. 

 The scoring needed from Elise Miner and Ava Lambert becomes even more important when teams elect to go that route, especially with Hannah Pecce out for the season. 

 Maddie Carmichael is a versatile big that can defend someone like Emma Tenters, and is one of the only players in the division with real height to do so. 

 Her rebounding ability is key for this group, especially on the offensive glass where she seems to live most nights. 

 Gilford has made the case of being in this conversation as well. Scott Currier's run and gun style has resulted in a 7-2 start and one of the player benefiting most from that is Olivia Keenan. 

 Her defensive ability is what makes her the player she is, but she has been able to run out in transition and get easy points. 

 Vanessa Flanders has reminded many of the kind of scorer she is and can get hot on any given night. Her ability on that end opens up a lot for her teammates. 

 Winnisquam is a team that can score the basketball at a very high clip. Can they perform in the playoffs? That is yet to be seen, but they have young players who are shooting the ball with confidence. 

 Lauren MacDonald has really broken out as one of the better players in the division and Mackenzie Philippy continues to be a productive player every time she steps on the floor. 

 Even freshman Caidyn Carter has shown to be a reliable scoring option each night. 

 There isn't much depth with this team, but their top six can really play. 

 Prospect Mountain has found themselves in the playoffs and even the quarterfinals over the last few years.

 They have won the games they are supposed to so far, but a signature win is a must before tournament time. 

 Sophia Capsalis, Ella Misiaszek, Ella Smith, and Michaela Vernazzaro all continue to produce at a high level and have given Prospect a chance at a home playoff game. 

 Seeing this team in the quarterfinals won't be easy, but the Timberwolves may have to go and win one on the road. 

 

The lower-seed no one is going to want to face: Monadnock

Monadnock currently sits at 4-6 but they surely don't have the roster and the talent of just a 4-6 team. 

 As always, they play a tough schedule and have taken some bumps with the injury bug at points this season. 

 This team always seems to figure things out come playoff time, and this year should be no different. 

 Bailee Soucia has taken the next step as a floor general and Shaylee Branon seems to be picking up where she left off at Keene State last year. 

 Breanne Lawrence was sidelined for a few games but has returned and given this team a much needed boost, helping the Huskies pick up their best win over Hopkinton 45-42 last Thursday. 

 The question remains on the offensive end, can they score enough points to compete with the contenders in this division? 

 They can match up with anyone defensively, but the offense will need to start doing the same come tournament time. 

 

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

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

 

Mid-Season First Team All-State

Emma Tenters of Conant 

Brynn Rautiola of Conant 

Emma Smith of Concord Christian 

Kiley Bundy of Stevens 

Sarah Muir of Concord Christain

 

Mid-Season Second Team All-State

Lauren MacDonald of Winnisquam 

Shaylee Murdough of Hopkinton 

Taylor Fellows of Newport

Vanessa Flanders of Gilford 

Bailee Soucia of Monadnock

 

*Alyssa Paquette would be on this list but has only played five games to this point in the season

 

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, Tim Haskins of Groveton, and Dale Prior of Littleton

 

If forced to pick Final Four teams today: Groveton, Colebrook, Littleton, Portsmouth Christian

 Division IV could have four real contenders, or even eight. No one has separated themselves as the clear number one, although Groveton is undefeated, all of these teams are relatively close to one another in terms of talent. 

 Groveton looks to be in line for two home games, something that hasn't been an option for them the last few years. 

 Marissa Kenison has been the best player on the floor most nights and that alone has propelled them to such a strong start. 

 The big surprise has been the emergence of Delaney Whiting maybe a year earlier than expected. She has had an all-state level season and has come up big when Groveton has needed her most. 

 That one-two punch has been tough to contain, and they will need that same level of production with the North Country heavy schedule that remains. 

 They still see Colebrook (their first meeting is this Friday) and Littleton twice, two teams that are right behind them for the top seed. One of those three teams could get lose a top-four seed depending on the outcome of those games. A lot of important basketball remains for these teams. 

 Colebrook's lone loss to Farmington was surprising, but credit to the Tigers who are looking like a real playoff threat. 

  The Mohawks responded after the break with a 47-14 blowout win over Littleton which reminded everyone of how dominant this team can be. 

 Ariana Lord scored 13 points in that game and followed that with 19 in a win over Sunapee. That is the Ariana Lord Colebrook will need going forward. If she can continue to trend in the right direction this team gets that much scarier. 

 Haley Rossito has saved this team on many occasions on the offensive end and has been the spark plug head coach Duane Call was hoping she would be. Colebrook has needed that go-to scorer since Sage Smith and Sam Howe graduated, and Rossito has been just that. 

 Sierra Riff has handled the point guard duties well this season and Emma McKeage has started to find her offensive rhythm as of late. 

 The pieces and experience are there for this group, they will just need to execute down the stretch and secure two home games. 

 Littleton is still young, but this group is showing they can compete, especially on the defensive side of the ball. 

 Addison Hadlock has taken the next step on both ends of the floor. Her versatility defensivley makes her a great backbone for the Crusaders on that end. The offense has come along and is certainly more consistent. this season. 

 The Crusaders can spread the ball around, and it seems to be a different player every night stepping up on that end of the floor. 

 Five players have scored in double figures at one point this season. Whether it be Lauryn Corrigan, Addison Pilgrim, Ella Horsch, or Juju Bromley, the Crusaders have shown they have some different weapons to throw at you. 

 Defensivley is where they win games, and that will be the menatlity they need to have as we head towards the postseason. 

 This team can grind out games, and they're going to need to down the stretch of the regular season. Getting two home games is a must, especially for a team as young as Littleton is this year. 

 They will need to try and get the best of Colebrook next time around, and a split with Groveton would be the best case scenario for this group.

 Portsmouth Christian has been right around the top four all season long, and besides losses to Littleton and a bit of a head scratching loss to Profile on the road, the Eagles have the talent to make the Final Four. 

 Freshman Ava Buchanan has taken over the role as the go-to option for this team. While she hasn't seen playoff basketball just yet, she is showing she can be a player that can show up in the big moments. 

 Her scoring was expected coming into the season, but 14.6 ppg for a freshman was something I was not fully expecting myself. 

 Maddie West and Hannah Dion have been as rock solid as you can be as seniors for this group. Either can go off for big scoring nights, but what you always get out of them is consitency. 

 Dion's size can cause problems for a lot of teams and West and Buchanan on the perimter are a very good tandem. 

 This group has enough talent, but it could come down to who they see in the playoffs that could decide if they make the semifinals or not. 

 Newmarket is always in this mix, and they certainly are again this year. Their defense can contain any of the teams listed above them, but they will need their offense may need to consistently score 40-45 points come playoff time. 

 Lena Nicholson has been really good for this group through 10 games and her size presents a problem to any team in the divison. 

 Amaya Beckles has been very good as a freshman and Harley Radi has been another consistent scoring option for the Mules. 

 Once again, if they can get a favorable matchup in the quarterfinals and keep it in the low 30s, I like their chances. 

 Epping continues to win games and could be a wild card come playoff time. 

 If they can start to put 32 good minutes of basketball together come playoff time they could surprise someone.

 The inconsitency on offense is what can hurt them, but Laney and Mae McAniff continue to show up on that end and give the Blue Devils a chance every night. 

 Hinsdale sits at 7-1 with their lone loss coming to the hands of Sunapee. It is hard to compare them with the teams ahead of them since the strength of schedule is not the same, but they have shown they can score the basketball. 

 Brookelyn Pagach has had an all-state caliabr season so far and has carried this team for stretches offensively. Aleah Owen and Addy Nardolillo have also been consisten for this team and those three have the most experience out of anyone on this roster. 

 Like Terry Bonette said in the preseason, it will all come down to if Hinsdale can defend. 

 If they prove they can do that and possibly get two home games, they have a good chance of getting to the Final Four. 

The lower-seed no one is going to want to face: Sunapee

 Sunapee has had an up-and-down regular season, but when they are healthy and rolling, can compete with a lot of teams above them in the standings. 

 Elizabeth Tschudin is one of if not the best player in the division and can hurt you in a multitude of ways scoring the basketball. She alone can win you a playoff game, but it will be a full team effort to keep advancing. 

 Brynn Smith continues to be a quality option for the Lakers and Katelyn Claus and Izzy Correa both have had their moments this year. 

 Sunapee can be a scary quarterfinal matchup for many, but it could take the right matchup to advance. 

 

Mid-Season Player of the Year: Elizabeth Tschudin of Sunapee

Mid-Season Coach of the Year: Tim Haskins of Groveton 

 

Mid-Season First Team All-State

Elizabeth Tschudin of Sunapee

Marissa Kenison of Groveton 

Addison Hadlock of Littleton 

Lena Nicholson of Newmarket 

Brookelyn Pagach of Hinsdale

 

Mid-Season Second Team All-State

Katherine Velie of Moultonborough

Ava Buchanan of Portsmouth Christian

Eliza Wagstaff of Woodsville 

Ariana Lord of Colebrook 

Delaney Whiting of Groveton