Today we take a look at the four quarterfinal games taking place in Division III. 

 Today's column is brought to you by our friends and partners at River Valley Community College!

 

Division III Tournament Bracket and Box Scores

 

8) Kearsarge at 1) Conant

Kearsarge Team Page 

Conant Team Page

If Kearsarge wins it will be because: The Cougars were able to find a way to limit one of Emma Tenters or Brynn Rautiola and get double digit scoring out of Tessa Marinello and Ava Shapiro. 

This team found a way to hold Vannessa Flanders of Gilford scoreless in the prelims, and that will need to be the case Friday night and try and hold two of the best scorers in the division well below their season averages.

If Conant wins it will be because: Conant was able to play fast paced and force Kearsarge to score consistently to keep up with them.

Hannah Manley, Bella Hart, and Adrienne Kennedy will get a good amount of open looks. If they can knock those down at a decent clip the Orioles should feel confident on their home floor.

 

The pick: Ed Tenney will throw everything he can at Conant, but the Orioles will take care of business and get back to the Final Four.

 

5) Hopkinton at 4) Prospect Mountain 

Hopkinton Team Page 

Prospect Mountain Team Page

If Hopkinton wins it will be because: The Hawks limit Prospect Mountain with their disruptive defense. Shaylee Murdough is one of the best ball-stoppers in the division and having Maddie Carmichael on the backline makes it tough to get clean looks at the rim. 

Having Hannah Pecce backs adds to the great depth this team can turn to on a nightly basis. Elise Miner, Sierra Stone, and Ava Lambert have been capable of hitting open looks and will need to come up with 4-8 points each in this one.

If Prospect Mountain wins it will be because: Their offensive firepower shines through for four quarters. Having Sophia Capsalis back in the lineup was huge in their overtime win over Berlin in the first round. 

Her scoring along with Ella Misiaszek, Ella Smith, and Michaela Vernazzaro could be enough to push this group to the semifinals. 

 

The pick: I lean experience in this matchup and give Hopkinton the edge.

 

6) Winnisquam at 3) Stevens 

Winnisquam Team Page

Stevens Team Page

Box Score from first matchup

If Winnisquam wins it will be because: They force Stevens into a back and forth shootout and Lauren MacDonald has a 30-plus point night.

This is a huge step for this program getting to the quarterfinals, but the inexperience could come into play, especially on the road. 

They hung around best they could in the regular season against Stevens, and will need to come out with a new wrinkle to throw Stevens off.

If Stevens wins it will be because: Alyssa Paquette controls the interior and Kiley Bundy controls the pace and allows Stevens to play at their speed the whole night. 

They limited Winnisquam to one of their low-scoring marks of the season with 43 in the regular season and on their home floor could hold them to a similar number if they don't let Winnisquam get comfortable early. 

 

The pick: Stevens has been a contender all year long and will get to prove that in the Final Four with a win over Winnisquam in this matchup.

 

10) Monadnock at 2) Concord Christian

Monadnock Team Page 

Concord Christian Team Page

Box score from first matchup

Box score from second matchup

If Monadnock wins it will be because: Their championship-level defense comes to play for 32 minutes. Jim Condlap will need to throw something at Concord Christian they haven't seen before. Getting a win here could take some creativity. 

Bailee Soucia's ability to score and dictate tempo will be crucial in this matchup. If the Huskies can keep this game in the 40s-50s they have a chance. 

If Concord Christian wins it will be because: They play their game and get out and run any chance they get. The Kingsmen have one of the best transition offenses in the state and that could be on full display in the quarterfinals. 

While they have beaten Monadnock soundly twice in the regular season, this matchup could have a different feel to it. 

Emma Smith, Sarah Muir, and Lilli Carlile can all take over stretches of a game, and if they can get going early Concord Christian could be in a good position to win this one. 

 

The pick: The Huskies could give Concord Christian a scare if they keep this close early, but the Kingsmen offense could prove to be to much. Concord Christian takes this one at home.