With the Division II snapshot out yesterday and a Division I snapshot hitting the page tomorrow, we will take a look at just Division III and IV in this week's edition of Thursday Thoughts. 

 Today's column 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

1. Conant: The Orioles had a clean sweep of Monadnock and Gilford at home in two dominant wins for the lone undefeated team in Division III. Emma Tenters eclipsed the 1,000-point mark on Saturday, and things continue to get better and better for a team with championship aspirations.

2. Concord Christian: Has it been mentioned this team can score? An average of 62 points over their last two games isn't even the highest mark this group has had in a week of playing this season. Emma Smith (16.8 ppg), Sarah Muir (15.9 ppg), Lilli Carlile (11.0 ppg), and Megan Muir (9.1 ppg) have all scored at least 100 points through 11 games. This team can hurt you from anywhere, and with anyone, on the floor.

3. Stevens: A 15-4 4th quarter was the difference in the Cardinals' win over Hopkinton. Seven of those points came from Kiley Bundy, who continues to take over games when this team needs her most. 

4. Hopkinton: Hopkinton went on the road and competed with a Stevens group right ahead of them in the standings. This team can grind it out when they need to, but they'll need to avoid quarters where they score just four points. Their defense is good enough to win games like that, but they'll need a bit more scoring down the stretch. 

5. Winnisquam: The win streak extends to eight for the Bears, but the challenges await in the weeks to come. The offense is good enough to compete with the likes of Kearsarge and Stevens, but their defense will need to make a big step forward if they want to keep this streak going. Speaking of streaks, Lauren MacDonald (19.8 ppg) has scored 20-plus points in three straight games and could make it four games tonight against Raymond.

6. Prospect Mountain: Prospect Mountain gets an intriguing matchup with Newfound on Friday and follows that up with Gilford next Tuesday. We know this team can score. What they do on the defensive end will be the reason they win games over the next few weeks. 

7. Kearsarge: Tuesday's win over Gilford was a big confidence boost for a team who has played one of the tougher schedules in the division. 16 and 14 points in back-to-back quarters is probably the best stretch of offense this team has had all season. Tessa Marinello (11.0 ppg), Ella Stocker (8.1 ppg), and Ava Shapiro (7.0 ppg) have been the catalysts on that end. If they can continue that production, this team can be dangerous come playoff time.

8. Gilford: A four-point first quarter and the 16-points they conceded in the second quarter was the difference in a 47-42 loss to Kearsarge. The Golden Eagles have lost three straight, two of those being single-digit losses. This two-week stretch could tell us what the Golden Eagles are really made of. 

9. Newfound: Newfound finds their way into the top ten after four straight wins. Their biggest stretch of the season comes against Prospect Mountain and Kearsarge on back-to-back days. Malina Bohlmann (15.5 ppg) is asserting herself into the all-state conversation and has done wonders for this team during the win streak. 

10. Monadnock: This team once again will be a dangerous lower seed in the tournament. While they will most likely be lower than sixth like they were last year, a lot of teams want to avoid Monadnock if they can. They'll need to find a rhythm here soon, but defensively they have the pieces to compete with most. Bailee Soucia (11.6 ppg) has started to find her shot over these past few weeks which is a great sign for the Huskies. 

 

Spotlight Team of the Week: Berlin 

The Mountaineers picked up a 26-22 win over Inter-Lakes on Tuesday night, marking head coach Don Picard's 300th career win. 

Shoutout to one of the best coaches in the entire state and someone I have been lucky enough to know and been coached by.

Things are looking good for Berlin at 5-7 and could be a sneaky playoff matchup. 

 

 

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

1. Groveton: The Eagles picked up a big win over rival Colebrook last Friday and did so with Marissa Kenison on the bench with an injury for the remaining 4:30. That four-minute stretch probably proved to themselves that they are for real, even without their best player on the floor. A trip to Littleton on Friday is yet another test for this group who gets the "North Country Wringer" to finish the season. 

2. Colebrook: A 21-10 first-quarter deficit was the difference for Colebrook in their loss to Groveton. Ariana Lord (12.1 ppg) put together her best performance of the season with 22 points in the loss. That is the player they need going forward. Emma McKeage has been sidelined the past week, but when this team is healthy they can put one of the best lineups on the floor every game. 

3. Littleton: The Crusaders have a real chance to knock off Groveton on Friday. Defensively Addison Hadlock can be the difference. Her length will be crucial trying to limit Marissa Kenison. This group is still young, but this is an opportunity for a win that can mature you for a playoff run. If Ella Horsch can have another performance like she did last Friday in Profile (14 points) along with players like Lauryn Corrigan and Addison Pilgrim, who both contributed nine points in that contest, having their shots going, the Crusaders could be in good shape. 

4. Newmarket: While it was low-scoring, the Mules avenged an early season loss to Epping on Tuesday night and now get a Mascenic team that seems to compete with everyone they play against (more on that below). It's not always pretty, but Newmarket finds a way to win, and that is a trait that should help them down the line. 

5. Portsmouth Christian: PCA dropped a tight contest to Farmington last night but now needs to turn their focus to Newmarket, a team that has played them as tight as anyone has this season. This group is in the top-four record-wise, but a statement win over a defensive-minded Newmarket team could be a big boost as we head toward the playoffs.

6. Sunapee: Due to mother nature, the Lakers haven't played a game since January 18th. A lot of rest and practice has prepared them for a big matchup with PCA on Friday night. The Eagles got the best of a short-handed Sunapee team back on opening night, but Friday should be a different story. Elizabeth Tschudin can make things happen, and they will need a big-time performance out of her to come away victorious. 

7. Epping: The offensive struggles showed themselves for both teams on Tuesday, but a season-low 17 points was eye-opening. We know this team can defend, but their offense will need to be flowing on Friday when they travel to Hinsdale.

8. Farmington: Another HUGE win for Farmington, 47-41 over PCA last night. This team is sneaky, and they are getting contributions out of a handful of players that play really hard for head coach Dawn Weeks. Makayla LaPanne (8.1 ppg) has shown up in the big moments and Madison Ricker (11.1 ppg) continues to have a strong sophomore campaign. 

9. Hinsdale: Friday's game against Epping is a chance for a signature win for a Hinsdale team that has still only lost one game. The strength of schedule plays into their lower ranking, but this team can score and Brookelyn Pagach (17.2 ppg) has been one of the best players in the division all season long. A win Friday is another step closer to securing a potential top-four seed.  

10. Gorham: The Huskies have won three straight and their win over Woodsville last Thursday got them over a big mental hurdle. Colebrook comes to town next Tuesday in arguably their most important game of the season. They had their chances in their previous meeting, and playing on a bigger floor could help them keep this one close. Jessica Burton can assert herself with her physicality and Madi Girouard and Sarah Godin will need to bring it offensively.  

 

Spotlight Team of the Week: Mascenic

 As I was talking about earlier, Mascenic has been a thorn in a lot of teams' sides through 10 games despite being 2-8. 

They aren't a deep group, but they can shoot the ball and keep themselves competitive. 

Ella Pearson (9.4 ppg), Sienna Gregory (8.2 ppg), Skye Lambert (7.1 ppg), Leah St John