Things are starting to ramp up around the Granite State. Every division is over the mid-way point and the Division III playoffs start in two weeks. 

 Every game becomes that more valuable as it could be the difference between playoff contention, or getting one or two home games. 

 Today we are back to our regular column, highlighting all four divisions.

Today's column is brought to you by our friends and partners at NHTI!

Division I

Division I Standings and Scoring Leaders

Gold Level Coaches/Programs: Kevin Gibbs of Bedford, Greg Cotreau of Manchester Memorial, Scott Blake of Spaulding, Rick Oliver of Salem, and Rob Darrell and Freddy Rivera of Concord 

1. Bishop Guertin: This group is in a tier of their own. Whether it is an in-state or out-of-state opponent, this team has found ways to win and they have looked pretty good doing it. 70.5 ppg, four 10-plus point per game scorers, there has been no answer for the Cardinals. 

2. Bedford: The Bulldogs have bounced back with two straight wins, but a 42-32 win over a Riley-Kerens' less Winnacunnet team Tuesday night was a bit eye-opening. This group has learned a lot about themselves the last two weeks, and a stretch of Pinkerton and BG over the next two weeks will tell them a lot more. 

3. Portsmouth: The Clippers have a case to be in the top-two, and certainly could play their way into that over the next few weeks. Eight straight wins are not something to gloss over. Trips to Spaulding and Goffstown await Portsmouth in what could be a big two-game stretch for this team. 

4. Pinkerton: It seems like so many different players have had their "moment" for the Astros this season. You can add Emily Leonard to that list, who had 15 big points in a 77-56 win over Londonderry. Lani Buskey gets everyone to buy in on this team, and it is really showing. 

5. Goffstown: Dover and Portsmouth await a Goffstown team with top-four aspirations. This stretch could determine a lot seeding-wise for all three teams, so you know you're getting everyone's best shot. With the way Ava Winterburn has been playing and the contributions from Maggie Sasso Ava Ruggiero, and Ava Vaughan starting to increase, the Grizzlies will keep themselves in the running. 

6. Exeter: A slow first and third quarter was the difference in their loss to Portsmouth last week. This team won't creep up on anyone anymore, but they will certainly be a tough out come playoff time. Emma Smith can generate points quickly, and Exeter will need a lot more of that down the stretch. 

7. Manchester Memorial: The Cardiac Crusaders are BACK! Two last-second wins, both 43-41 finals, and both shots coming from the hands of Madison Pepra-Omani, it has been a good week stretch for Greg Cotreau and Memorial, who find themselves winners of three in a row after dropping five straight.

8. Spaulding: This team seems to have the recipe for beating Dover, as they have done so twice, but both contests were very close. Spaulding will have their hands full with Portsmouth on Friday, but they seem to hang around with a lot of teams, and if you keep them around for too long they can find ways to beat you down the stretch.

9. Dover: The Green Wave have lost three straight but all have been within 2-4 points. They gave Pinkerton a real scare and held Liz Lavoie to a season-low 4 points with a box-and-one defensive approach. They can defend, but the offense has fallen off a bit as of late. Things won't go easier with Goffstown on Friday, but they have a real chance to get back in the win column. 

10. Windham: The Jaguars had won seven in a row before a loss to Portsmouth on Tuesday. They seem to be figuring out the system head coach Cassie Turcotte is laying out for them, but they will be tested once again with Pinkerton on Friday. If their offensive production can catch up to their play on the defensive end they could be in good shape come playoff time.

 

Spotlight Team of the Week:  Merrimack 

The Tomahawks seem to play everyone tough, but a 3-7 record is where they currently sit. 

They have a chance to make up some ground down the stretch, and with two spark plug scorers in Alexis Best and Madison McCaffery, this team can give themselves a chance to win every night.

 

Division II

Division II Standings and Scoring Leaders

Gold Level Coaches/Programs: Phil Davis of Bow, Dan O'Rourke of Hanover, Courtney Cheetham of Derryfield, Brian Gray of Sanborn, Larry Meader of Kennett, Bob McNutt of Merrimack Valley, and Bob Murphy of Hollis-Brookline

1. Bow: Bow gets their biggest two-game stretch of the season so far with rival Pembroke and a trip to Kennett next on the schedule. They handled the Spartans earlier in the season, but these teams always play each other tight. This Bow defense only allows just 24 ppg, but that will be put to the test against a Kennett team that averages 52.9 a game. Especially on the road, the Falcons know they will have to be ready. 

2. Kennett: We will see the Eagles on Friday night when they travel to Laconia. Once again, this is a big stretch for one of the top teams in the division. The winner of next Tuesday's contest could potentially lock up the top seed, and with the way teams are stacking up in the middle of the pack, the top seed is even more valuable. I expect two great games on Friday and Tuesday.

3. Hanover: Hanover has won five straight and are starting to figure out their identity. Sydney McLaughlin has looked more confident and has had things going offensively for the Bears. A 34-point outburst against Oyster River was her best of the season, and during the five-game win streak, the all-state guard has averaged 20.0 ppg. She is starting to look like the lead guard we expected coming into the season.

4. Laconia: Laconia has a big chance for a signature win against Kennett. They have the size and guards to match up with Kennett, but they will need big performances out of their all-state duo in Macy Swormstedt and Mekhia Burton. Renee Bergeron's 12 points in her return from injury against Coe-Brown are hopefully a sign of things to come from her from an offensive standpoint.

5. Pelham: The Pythons are rolling. They picked up convincing wins over Hollis-Brookline and Merrimack Valley and could potentially lock up a top-four seed over the next few weeks. Jasmine Becotte and company continue to light up the scoreboard and prove that they are a top team in this division.

6. Milford: The Spartans have another opportunity for a signature win against a seasoned-Hanover team next Tuesday. This team has proven to look seasoned as well, and the composure they possess has them looking like a real threat come playoff time. 

7. Pembroke: The Spartans get another crack at Bow tonight and Steve Langevin should have his squad ready for round two with their rival. Annelise Dexter is coming off a 30-point performance against Manchester West and will need to make sure she saved some points for a big matchup tonight at home. A win tonight could be a huge confidence boost for a young Pembroke team. 

8. Oyster River: Caitlin Klein's heroics won the Bobcats a huge game over Hollis-Brookline in a game we covered on Monday. Riley Drapeau has proven to be a good go-to scorer for this group and with a strong finish could earn a top-eight seed.

9. Hollis-Brookline: The Cavaliers got back on track with a win over Timberlane on Tuesday, but offensive woes have been the main concern for this group over the last week or so. Camryn Dunn and Daniella Allanach have been great on the wing for this team and will need to continue that trend as the Cavaliers try and stay in top-eight contention. 

10. John Stark: The Generals finally snapped the four-game skid against Kingswood on Tuesday, and even with a mostly favorable schedule the rest of the way, John Stark will be on the outside looking in at a home playoff game. Still, this group may like where they are at if they can clean things up on both ends of the floor. They will be a scary matchup for almost any team they face in the first round. 

 

Spotlight Team of the Week: Coe-Brown 

While they were down Mekhia Burton, Coe-Brown almost pulled off one of the better upsets we have seen in Division II over Laconia. 

Consistency has been the issue this year, but when they are clicking, they can put up points quickly.

Kalina Kasprzak has picked up where she left off last season and gives the Bears are a true scoring threat every night.

 

Division III

Division III Standings and Scoring Leaders

Gold Level Coaches/Programs: Scott Currier of Gilford

1. Conant: Brynn Rautiola put on an absolute show on Saturday night and the Orioles showed once again they are a step above the rest in Division III. We get a rematch of a game-of-the-year candidate when Conant travels to my backyard in Concord when they take on the Kingsmen. We may just be at that one...

2. Concord Christian: The Kingsmen play seven players and all seven players have the ability to score in double-digits. This is a talented yet small rotation, and they are proving that a Division III title is possible by the end of February.

3. Stevens: The Cardinals were neck and neck with Conant before a third-quarter surge put the game away for the Orioles. Isabella Bovel is a tone-setter for this team on both ends of the floor. Her speed and athleticism create things on the floor and is the perfect glue piece for Stevens. You don't win without glue players.

4. Hopkinton: Hopkinton can lock up a top-four seed with a strong finish to the season. Two-home games would do wonders for a team who plays well on their home floor and have aspirations to get to the Final Four. Defensively this group can compete with anyone, it is their offense that will be the deciding factor in the playoffs. Shaylee Murdough has stepped into that lead role and Maddie Carmichael isn't too far behind her in that department. 

5. Kearsarge: The Cougars have done a complete 180 over the last two weeks. Five straight wins have them right back in the top-four conversation. Holding Winnisquam to just 24 points was the biggest eye-opener. The Kearsarge defense is for real, and if their offense keeps trending in the right direction, this team will be a handful in the playoffs.

6. Winnisquam: Two straight losses for the Bears is nothing to panic about, but it could be three if they can't find an answer for Stevens on Friday. This team can really score, and they might need to try and make Friday's matchup with the Cardinals a shootout. Their defense has shown up the last few weeks, and so have Lauren MacDonald and Mackenize Philippy who continue to put on a show offensively. 

7. Gilford: The Golden Eagles picked up a much-needed win against Prospect Mountain on Tuesday, and will need to grab another one in a game against Kearsarge tonight. Gilford got just 32 points on the board in their first meeting. If they can get out and run and get this game in the high 40s-low 50s they will have a chance. It is do-or-die time in Division III, and for two teams neck and neck in the standings, this game could decide where they end up in the standings.

8. Prospect Mountain: The Timberwolves are still in the mix for a top-four seed and could be a surprise to some come playoff time. A one-point loss to Gilford on Tuesday shows they can compete in a defensive-grudge match, something they will need to keep doing going forward.

9. St. Thomas Aquinas: The Saints get a week off before a big tilt with Prospect Mountain. They have won the games they've needed to, but haven't been able to pull off a win against a playoff-caliber team. That can change next Friday with the Timberwolves coming to town.

10. Monadnock: The Huskies will need a good finish to the season to try and build momentum before the playoffs. The offense continues to be a question mark, but if they can control the tempo they have a chance to win in the postseason.

 

Spotlight Team of the Week: Masoma Valley

The Royals really haven't had too many games this year that they have been out of. 

A win against Berlin on Friday could get them back on the right track and give them momentum for a strong end to the season. 

Makenna Houston, Gabby Pierce, and Emily Seiler have had their fair share of offensive outbursts this season and give this group balanced scoring every night. 

 

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 survived a scare last night from a very pesky Woodsville team. Marissa Kenison took over late and continues to be one of the best, if not the best player in all of Division IV. Groveton remains undefeated but the target on their back gets bigger, and the competition gets even better to end the season.

2. Colebrook: The Mohawks have been surviving without Emma McKeage for the last two weeks, but a Friday night matchup with Groveton will be their toughest test yet. They fell to the Eagles by two points on the road, but getting Groveton at home should play in their favor. Ariana Lord had her best game of the season against the Eagles, and she will need one just like that to help Colebrook pick up a potential win of the season.

3. Littleton: The Crusaders put up a good fight late against Groveton Friday, and an 18-11 first quarter was the real difference in the Eagles pulling away. This group has gotten a week to prepare for Woodsville on Friday and will need to be playing their best basketball down the stretch to stay in the top four.

4. Newmarket: The Mules have won four straight and picked up a good bounce-back win against a PCA team that got the best of them at the beginning of last month. If this team can get two home games I like their chances of making a run to the Final Four. The offense has been better over the last few weeks, and one of their best performances with 46 points against a good PCA team was a sign of good things to come. 

5. Sunapee: Sunapee grabbed one of their best wins of the season over PCA last Friday and seem to be on the right track as the season winds down. This team is at full strength and could be a matchup some want to avoid with the offensive firepower Elizabeth Tschudin possesses. 

6. Epping: The Blue Devils need to solidify themselves over the next two weeks and prove they can be consistent down the stretch. They put a season-low 17 points behind them and picked up a good win over a Hinsdale team with just two losses on the year. 

7. Farmington: The Tigers have become the dark horse in Division IV. They can be hit or miss at times, but when they are playing at their best they have shown they can compete with the best in Division IV. Madison Ricker keeps getting better for Dawn Weeks' squad. Farmington has won three straight and certainly has a season-ending matchup with Newmarket circled on their calendars. 

8. Portsmouth Christian: It has been an offensive struggle for the Eagles as of late and the clock is starting to tick on whether or not they can correct things before the postseason. When Maddie West, Ava Buchanan, and Hannah Dion are clicking, this group can compete with anyone in the division. When one or two of them are off, that is when losses start to pile up. This team is capable of being there late in the playoffs, but they need to start correcting these issues now.

9. Hinsdale: Hinsdale could play themselves into a top-four seed, but the quarterfinals could be the best team they play all season. Will they be ready for that challenge? Possibly. They have two talented scorers in Brookelynn Pagach and Addy Nardolillo who could win them a playoff game or two, but it will need to be a full team effort against one of the top eight teams left standing in the division.

10. Moultonborough: The Panthers have quietly won seven in a row and could potentially win out the rest of the way. Even without Kat Gleeson, this team has been fairly consistent most of the year. Katherine Velie has been one of the best players in the division and has Moultonborough looking at a home playoff game. Matt Swedberg is a hall-of-fame coach and will have his team ready for anything the postseason has to throw at them. 

 

Spotlight Team of the Week: Woodsville

Don't let the 6-6 record fool you, this team is much better than that. While they have been a bit inconsistent, a game like last night where they led Groveton right up until late in the 4th quarter shows you that they can compete with the top of the division.  

Eliza Wagstaff has played at an all-state level and Paige Royer is having a breakout season for the Engineers.

Defensively is where they thrive and if they can keep games in the high 30s they can sneak out some wins down the stretch.