We are back again with another semifinal scouting report. Games are set to take place tommorow night at Newfound High School. 

  Instead of a regular breakdown, we turn to the coaches who faced this team all year to dive into the matchups for us using blind quotes. 

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

 

Division IV Bracket and Box Scores

 

#1 Groveton vs. #5 Newmarket 

Groveton Team Page 

Newmarket Team Page 

Box score from first matchup

 Groveton trailed for much of the second half on Friday night before a 17-4 4th quarter got them the lead and eliminated Portsmouth Christian to advance to the Final Four. 

 Newmarket went on the road and took down Littleton behind a dominant performance from Lena Nicholson in a game we covered to get to the semifinals.

 These teams saw each other back in January in a game the Eagles took 38-33, and now see each other on a neutral floor tonight. 

 We asked three coaches to break down the matchup, starting with the Mules.

 "These teams played in the regular season which helps both teams the second time around. If (Lena) Nicholson is as dominant inside as she was against Littleton that gives the advantage to Newmarket," said one coach. 

 "Groveton's 5-point victory at home versus Newmarket might prove to be more of a negative than a positive for Groveton. I guarantee that game film has been pored over."

"Nicholson's size is unique to Division IV. Will she score 9 or 10 points or closer to 20 her career high?" 

 The Newmarket defense has been the story for this group all year long, and the coaches agree. 

 "Holding Littleton to 22 points, holding Epping to 17 points, and holding Farmington to 20 points. Those teams went a combined 40-14. I would be curious to see how many quarters all year they've allowed 10+ points," said a Division IV coach. 

 "They (Groveton) seem prone to turn the ball over against man-to-man defense."

 Freshman Amaya Beckles will be a focal point in this matchup. 

 "She has to handle Groveton’s pressure and be a double-digit scorer to help Nicholson," said one coach. 

 Scoring outside of Lena Nicholson will be a factor as it has been all season.

 "Beckles, (Harley) Radi, and (Ella) Gallion. If two of their players not named Lena Nicholson can score 6-10 points, the Mules may score enough to win."

 "If their opponent gets a lead, do they have the offensive firepower to reign them in?"

 "The Mules will have to get scoring from more than one player otherwise the trio of (Marissa) Kenison, (Delaney) Whiting, and (Aspen) Clermont will give Groveton the advantage."  

 "Their outside shooting ability and ball-handing ability other than Beckles versus pressure could be a problem." 

 "If the game stays in the 30s Newmarket has a real chance to pull off the upset. If Nicholson scores 20+ it means Newmarket got the looks they wanted offensively and Groveton couldn’t stop her inside. However, those are the "Ifs" that Newmarket needs to have happen."

 Now the coaches will break down the top-seeded Groveton Eagles.

 "Kenison and Whiting have been consistent all season long. Their match-up zone causes fits for other teams offensively. The emergence of Clermont as a scorer the second half of the season has been huge," said one coach

 "Clermont offensively could be key. Whiting and Kenison will get theirs getting a 3rd scorer in double figures would be huge." 

 "They can beat you inside or outside."

 "Groveton seizes the moment. I've been very impressed with their ability to go on 7-0 runs and never turn back." 

 "The two 4th quarter threes Whiting made against PCA were really the difference. She'll see similar looks versus Newmarket."  

 "Obviously, Nicholson is a mismatch with any team in our division, but Kennison and Whiting offer good size as a counter. Can Nicholson's assignment make open jump shots?"

 Defending the paint against Lena Nicholson is the main task for the Eagles going into tonight's matchup. 

  "The biggest matchup has to be Nicholson versus the frontline of Groveton. Kenison, Whiting, and Ash have to make it as difficult as possible for Nicholson and control the boards defensively."

 "(Madison) Ash and (Katherine) Bushey defensively can they keep Nicholson in check." 

 The offensive approach for the Eagles' will be crucial. 

 "Kenison and Whiting have been solid all season long. They find ways to get shots and have made big shots like Whiting did against PCA on Friday in the 4th quarter. Clermont can cause havoc with her speed in their press and has shown the ability to score consistently of late," said a Division IV coach. 

 "They have a lack of interior scoring presence if Kenison is on the perimeter." 

 "A weakness has been their ability to score against good defensive teams consistently. Their inside offense has been inconsistent and they rely on perimeter shooting along with transition scoring."

 "If Groveton doesn’t attack the basket, lives, and dies with the outside shot, Newmarket’s man-to-man could be too much for them."

 

So, who wins tommorow?

"Newmarket by 3. Defense travels. A neutral court with a previous opponent gives Newmarket just enough for the upset." 

"Groveton by single digits." 

"Groveton. I believe the experience of Coach Haskins and how hungry that program is to be back at the Final Four for the first time since 2013 will help them prevail in a close game." 

 

My Pick: Groveton by 4.

 

#2 Colebrook vs. #14 Woodsville

Colebrook Team Page 

Woodsville Team Page

Box score from first matchup

 Two North Country foes will meet for a rematch of the 2020 title game and 2021 Final Four. 

 The Mohawks defended home court, taking down Sunapee 67-52 to get back to the semifinals. 

 The magical Woodsville run continues, as the 14-seed went on the road and beat Moultonborough in overtime 30-29 to return to the Final Four. 

 Colebrook got the best of Woodsville in the regular season finale 44-25.

 We asked three coaches to break down the matchup, starting with the Engineers.

 "Colebrook's season finale was a 19-point victory over Woodsville, so that has to be taken into account. But how can Woodsville not be playing with confidence at this point?"

 "(Makayla) Walker handling the ball is critical for Woodsville. (Eliza) Wagstaff has to have a good offensive game. (Paige) Royer using her size for rebounding will be important," said another coach.

 "Who does Wagstaff guard? Royer has to stay on the floor for Woodsville to maintain an interior presence." 

 "Their half-court defense is excellent, and they do a great job of playing to their strengths."

 "If Walker can shoot like she did in their victory over Littleton, that would be huge. Any zone can key on one good outside shooter (Wagstaff), but a few Walker 3's may prove the difference if the score is in the 30s." 

 "I don’t believe either coach is going to do anything the other hasn’t seen. If a role player like (Katie) Houston or (Aliza) Boutin has a big game offensively that could be a surprise that ends up being the difference."

 "If Wagstaff can score in the teens and Rossitto can be held to single digits it’s a close game." 

 Lack of depth and inexperience could come into play for Woodsville. 

 "Their depth, especially on the interior is a weakness." 

  "Woodville may struggle to score consistently enough in the half-court." 

 "It will be interesting to see how and how well Woodsville defends (Ariana) Lord," said a Division IV coach." 

 "Colebrook's loss to Farmington may provide some keys for Woodsville. Farmington also plays tough man-to-man defense. That type of defense makes it more challenging for Colebrook to run their offense through Lord at the high post."

 "Woodsville is playing with house money sort to speak. They come out loose feeling no pressure and their outside shots fall and Colebrook adjusting to the big floor, anything can happen." 

 "On a bigger court, in a different gym, and playing with house money, I think Woodsville can keep it close."

 Now our coaches will take a look at the seasoned Colebrook Mohawks. 

 "Colebrook has all the playoff experience and these seniors were on the championship team in 2020. I believe their experience and the ability to get consistent scoring inside and outside will be the difference," said one coach. 

 "Eight players played high-level minutes and contributed in the win over Sunapee."

 "They have an extra gear. I have seen it multiple times this season in close games they have that spurt ability, even in losses they have had the ability to make a run. Losing three games by a total of four points all on the road against top-eight competition is a strength."

 "They have more players than just Lord and (Hayley) Rossitto who can score, but also having Lord and Rossitto who can score is nice as well."

 "Lord is a threat inside and outside offensively and can dominate a game as long as she stays out of foul trouble. (Sierra) Riff running the offense and staying out of foul trouble is key. Rossito and (Emma) McKeage can score from the outside which will open up the inside for Lord and (Shyanna) Fuller." 

 "Riff versus Walker and which point guard has the better game could be the difference maker. Wagstaff defending Lord could be a good 1-on-1 matchup. If Wagstaff plays good defense and forces other players to score she has done her job." 

 "Lord versus Royer could be a key matchup. Coach Clough might be tempted to put Youngman or Boutin on Lord, but if not, Lord needs to win that matchup by six-plus points."

 The bigger floor at Newfound will play much differently from the one many struggle to adjust to at Colebrook. 

 "Playing on a big court will affect the effectiveness of their zone press and traps," said one coach. 

 "They can get into foul trouble at times taking key players off the floor for long stretches."  

 "Their patience sometimes makes them settle for outside shots when their advantage is inside." 

 The Mohawks have been here before, and that will be a factor tonight.

 "Their experience, defensive pressure, and multiple players who can score will come into play." 

 "I believe Colebrook has too much offensive firepower for Woodsville to defend for 32 minutes."

 

So, who wins tommorow?

 "Colebrook. Their ability to score, having been here before and their style of play will help them secure a spot in the finals." 

 "Colebrook comes out quickly and never looks back winning by double figures."

 "Colebrook by 5." 

 

My Pick: Colebrook by 12.