Last season ended with the two teams many predicted would be left standing at Lundholm Gymnasium. 

 The Kennett Eagles captured an elusive title that will be remembered for ages.

 Both teams graduated impact players, as did many across Division II, leaving us with what feels like parity from top to bottom. 

 The Eagles and Falcons will be right in the mix once again, but so will many others, even the newcomers to Division II in Concord Christian, who have captured two straight titles at the Division III and IV levels.

 This could be anyone's division to win, and more than a handful of programs enter the season thinking they have what it takes to win it all.

 Depth may be the biggest question mark for teams not just outside the top ten, but within that group as well. 

 Whoever develops more of a bench as the season goes on could be walking away with a championship. We could also see the team with the best player or top-end talent come out on top. There are many outcomes possible with how this season plays out.

 Today, in our fifth of eight pre-season basketball previews, we take a deep-dive look at Division III.

 Today's column is brought to you by Manchester Community College!

 

Pre-Season Top 10 Rankings

1. Hanover

2. Concord Christian 

3. Laconia

4. Pembroke

5. Milford 

6. John Stark

7. Oyster River 

8. Bow 

9. Kennett

10. Merrimack Valley

Lurking outside of the Top 10: Derryfield, Bishop Brady, Pelham, Coe-Brown, Timberlane

 

 Hanover returns an experienced group that is hungry for more this season. “They weren’t happy with how last year ended,” said head coach Dan O’Rourke. “They are excited to get back at it.”

 Losing Stella Galanes put a fork in the road looking for their second consecutive title last season. While the Bears were still a top-four seed, they were knocked out in the quarterfinals by Laconia, putting their season to an end and an immediate chip on their shoulders. 

 All-state guard Sydney McLaughlin blossomed into a first-option role a season ago and now returns as the undisputed leader of the team. 

 “She is our floor general,” said O’Rourke. “She continues to look for her shot and create opportunities for others to score.”

 Whether it is from deep, a dribble pull up from fifteen feet, or attacking the basket, McLaughlin can hurt you in so many ways, making her one of the more complete guards in the division. 

 “She recognizes that we need her to create to be successful,” said O’Rourke. “The maturity level and confidence for her have stood out the most.” 

 Freshman Allie McBride has the makings of another great Hanover guard. “She understands the game very well,” said O’Rourke. “She brings in an advanced skillset as a freshman.” 

 While there will be an adjustment to the varsity level, McBride could provide another scoring punch to a very balanced roster. 

 “She has a lot of upside,” said O’Rourke. “I expect she will be a different player at the end of the year.” 

 Another player who falls into that same boat is Claire Starosta, who showed flashes throughout last season of the player she can become. 

 “She is working on getting to the basket more with her size,” said O’Rourke. “The more versatile you can be and the more you can expand your game the more deadly you become, and she continues to get better.” 

 The outside shot has started to come along as well, making Starosta a threat from all three levels.

 Nina Marshall started to come on towards the end of last season, and returns as a key component to Hanover’s game plan. 

 “She is our glue on and off the floor,” said O’Rourke. “She went from a two to four point per game scorer to getting into double digits down the stretch last year.” 

 Elena Mierke is transitioning to the forward position after playing in the guard spot the last few seasons. 

 “She will give us that added board presence,” said O’Rourke. “We can’t run if we don’t get rebounds and she plays a big part in that.” 

 The biggest surprise of the preseason has been Bella Hunt. “For her size, she does a great job rebounding and creating second chances,” said O’Rourke. “She is a senior now and really stepping up. We need her to continue to get better on the defensive end and impact things for us.” 

 After failing to reach the Final Four a season ago, the Bears return a year more experienced and more driven to take things even further this year.

 “We are trying to reach a different level with this team,” said O’Rourke. “We have to get better every day. Ultimately, our success will come down to developing a strong bench and getting contributions from all eleven players, The goal does not change, we are excited to get after it.”

 Concord Christian has won two straight titles. One at the Division IV level, last year at Division III, and now they will make the jump once again and compete for a third straight title, this time in Division II. 

 “We are excited to see what Division II is all about,” said head coach Rebecca Carlile. “New competition is what we are looking forward to.” 

 Emma Smith comes in as one of the more complete offensive players the division has to offer, and returns as the leading scorer from a season ago. 

 “She has the same skill set but is a year better and more experienced,” said Carlile. “She is much more confident. Emma is a beautiful player to watch.” 

 Smith can hurt you from all three levels and her size and length make her a mismatch on the perimeter. “She is a well-rounded ball player,” said Carlile. 

 Her sister, Kate Smith, will provide good size and rebounding inside. Her defense and ability to impact the game by doing the little things have been crucial for CCA’s title runs, but they will need even more out of her this year, especially with the loss of Sarah and Megan Muir.

 “Offensively we will need more from her,” said Carlile. “She has developed quite a bit on that end.” 

 Lilli Carlile is another scoring threat for this group and can attack off the dribble as well as anyone. 

 “She is a lot quicker this year,” said coach Carlile. “She is starting to find other ways to score.” 

 The three-ball has started to come along, something that will open up the lane even more for Carlile, who has the ability to finish with either hand. 

 Point guard Kayden Rioux has expanded her offensive ​​repertoire as well, adding a reliable three-point shot to go along with her playmaking ability. 

 Junior Ireland Baines joins the team and should make an impact immediately. “She is a pretty impressive threat from deep,” said Carlile. “Everyone so far is taking good shots and hitting them at a high percentage.” 

 Playing an inside-out game will be an emphasis to keep opposing defenses on their toes, and with the weapons they have, they should be able to do just that.

 Defensively this group can can speed you up and attack in transition at will. “We have the ability to pressure and rotate well,” said Carlile. “Everyone on the floor will play defense for us.”

 Concord Christian have not shied away from the moment, and this season should be no different, even at the Division II level.

 “Every good team wants to win a championship,” said Carlile. “We know teams will give us a run for our money, but our eyes are on the prize.”

 The Laconia Sachems return a core that made a Final Four run a season ago and should be in a position to do so once again this year. 

  Seven return from last season, with four being big contributors for the Sachems a year ago. 

 "There are some minutes open," said head coach Jeff Greeley. "That has helped make a competitive environment for our girls to play in."

 All-state guard Macy Swormstedt is back to run the show as a junior. "The best thing about Macy is she loves the game of basketball," said Greeley. "Hoops is something she plays year round."

 Swormstedt is a threat when she steps over half-court, and is one of the most lethal guards not only in the division, but in the state. 

 "She has extended her range beyond the three point arc," said Greeley. "With losing Ashlyn Deluca she knows there are points to be made up for. She is physically stronger and is confident in the work she put in over the offseason." 

 Playing a bit more off the ball is something Greeley hopes Swormstedt is able to do. 

 "Early on we want to develop another ball handler that can handle pressure," said Greeley. "That will make her harder to guard." 

 Mekhia Burton comes into her senior season healthy and ready to contribute to winning. 

 "She appreciates that it is her senior year," said Greeley. "Her personal growth is going to transcend to the court." 

 Burton is one of the most physical players in the state, and is a walking double-double. 

 "She is the grit, the muscle, and the communicator for this team," said Greeley. "I am excited to see her healthy." 

 The Swormstedt-Burton pairing will be difficult to handle for opposing defenses, and the pieces around them could give them even more trouble.

 Renee Bergeron is the glue that holds this group together. "She is so versatile," said Greeley. "She can play the perimeter on both ends for us." 

 The length she possesses can help her grab rebounds and push herself, but also can be a problem for guards on the wing when trying to get by her.

 "The combination of Mekhia and Renee are playing and looking for each other they become a dual threat," said Greeley. "They will be tough for teams to matchup against down low."

 Madeline Mousseau is coming off a season where she put up a shad under 10 points per game. 

 "We will go as players like Renee and Madeline go," said Greeley. 

 Mousseau has great two-way ability to should be on full display this season. 

 "Maddie is pure energy," said Greeley. "She is the ability to guard the best offensive player and has worked hard on her ball handling. With wanting to get Macy off the ball more, Maddie has the chance to run offense for us. She is excited for that challenge." 

 The last few years, this team has learned what it takes to make a deep run. 

 "Right now we are going day by day," said Greeley. "We appreciate that there are multiple seasons. We want to put ourselves in the best position to make the second season." 

 The pieces are there, but developing the bench and the rest of the rotation will be the focus early on. Once things click, expect this group to be in the conversation come playoff time.

 "Our biggest thought has been is knowing where we want to be," said Greeley. "They want to get over the hump, that is the main focus."

 The entire rotation is back for the Pembroke Spartans, who will be in contention with a handful of others in Division II.

 The team starts with all-state forward Annelise Dexter. “She is our leader coming back,” said head coach Steve Langevin. 

 Dexter is closing in on the 1,000-point mark and is the first option for the Spartans. “She doesn’t force any shots,” said Langevin. “Everything is within the flow of our offense.” 

 Her size makes her a mismatch both inside and on the perimeter with her ability to create off the dribble. 

 The key component this year could be her playmaking. “She has the opportunity to make her teammates better,” said Langevin. “The pressure she sees will help them get easier chances.” 

 Three-point marksman Taylor Renna returns after averaging 9.7 points per game last season. “She is all-out effort all the time,” said Langevin. “She can shoot it and push the ball for us as well. She is a hard worker on defense.”

 Kaitlin Arenala returns as the strongest rebounder on the team and brings an all-around game to the floor, 

 “She helps facilitate our offense a lot,” said Langevin. “She can shoot outside, is a good passer, and can be an inside presence.” 

 Sophomore Kate Stephens ran with the punches last season running the offense in her first year at the varsity level. 

 “It was a new position for her,” said Langevin. “She really took over and gave us stability at that spot. I expect her to take a big leap. I want her to take charge” 

 Her ability to handle pressure will be key and pushing the pace when needed will be an emphasis. 

 Freshman Anne Phillips will give the Spartans another ball handler and penetrator and will be a defensive piece as well.

 Getting past the quarterfinals is a goal Pembroke is focused on. “We would like to take that next step,” said Langevin. “We want to continue to build chemistry and put ourselves in a good position come playoff time.”

 Milford took a huge step forward last season. A 14-4 regular season and a trip to the quarterfinals were big milestones for a program that has come a long way in the last few years. 

 “We cannot rest on the accomplishments of last year,” said head coach Michael Davidson. “There is a lot of work to be done if we want to be the team we think we can be.” 

 Leading scorer Lulu Maguire could make the jump that we see many elite players make from their sophomore to junior seasons. 

 Avery Fuller and Shea Hansen will bring stability to the backcourt and strong defensive play, something the Spartans use to their advantage when getting out in transition. 

 Claire Cote and Elliana Nassy are savvy forwards that help complete a strong Milford starting five, one that will compete with many other top units across Division II. 

 “The key to our season will be staying healthy and playing our best basketball in February,” said Davidson. “I think we snuck up on teams a little bit in the last two seasons. That won’t happen anymore.” 

 This is a group that thrives on speeding teams up and forcing turnovers. With another year of experience under their belts, Milford can take another step forward. 

 This is a group capable of the Final Four, but they know the work it will take to reach a stage like that. 

 “We had a great season last year, but we are 0-0 now,” said Davidson. “The slate is clean. We have a lot to prove.” 

 John Stark returns seasoned upperclassmen and ready-to-play freshmen who have the chance to make a real run in Division II. 

 “They have been fun to watch so far,” said head coach Tiffany Lewis. “We have twelve girls on the roster and I have full confidence going to anyone at any time.” 

 All-state forward Eleanor Giradet was leading the Generals to a strong postseason run before injury derailed her junior season. 

 With her healthy and ready to go, Giradet returns as one of the best low-block players in the division. 

 “As always she is working hard,” said Lewis. “We will need her to get on the boards for us.” 

 Giradet can back you down or face up defenders. Her presence inside is felt on both ends, and her ability to be impactful will determine the General’s success. 

 Abby Duclos is a true scoring threat on the wing after an 11.7-point-per-game season. “She has been leading us on the court,” said Lewis. “We are hoping she can continue to put up big numbers and come through for us.” 

 Avery Geaumont is another threat John Stark can go to when they need a basket. “She does a great job pushing her teammates,” said Lewis. “If she is on, she is lights out.” 

 Senior Hayleigh Dennis can provide a spark on the defensive end and sophomore Katie Lorenz has proven to be equally as effective on that end.

 Senior Izabel Korbet brings a calming presence to the Generals. “She is unselfish and a great leader,” said Lewis. “She is always consistent on both ends of the court, helping everyone get on the same page.”

 Junior Haley Stafford is in line for a bigger role this season. “She is going to play big minutes,” said Lewis. “She is one of our smaller players but she can out-rebound anyone. She is very tenacious.” 

 Freshman Kylie Dinan and Lexi Korbet have gotten consistent run in the preseason and could be in the rotation right away. “They are working themselves in and looking good so far,” said Lewis.

 Depth will be something they hope to use to their advantage. “We need to be able to out-run teams,” said Lewis. 

 After a 9-9 regular season, the focus this season will be closing out tight games and playing their best basketball at the end of the year.

 “We want to make a run,” said Lewis. “We can use our experience and come away with those close games. We need to put ourselves in a good position placement-wise and go from there.”

 Oyster River hopes to improve on their 11-7 regular season, and now have Bryan Wall calling the shots on the sideline. 

 “It has been a cool opportunity getting into the program,” said Wall. “This team has been putting in the work.” 

 A good group of seniors return and a strong junior class will help make up the varsity roster. “I think my expectations are always high,” said Wall. “I feel like we can be a top-five team this year.” 

 Riley Drapeau will be an all-around threat for the Bobcats. “She plays a great inside game but can also knock down some threes,” said Wall. “Her versatility is a great thing to have.” 

 Maeve Hickock will be a dominant force underneath. “She is fun to watch,” said Wall. “Her strength and power allow her to clear out the paint.” 

 The juniors will handle a bulk of the ball-handling duties. That includes returning leading scorer Vivian O’Quinn. 

 “Vivian sees the whole court,’ said Wall. “Her speed and strength are big. She is a great leader for us.”

 Olivia Anderson and Caitlin Klein will also have responsibility in the backcourt. The three guards bring a great chemistry to the floor. 

 “They all move the ball so well,” said Wall. “I have never seen three players work so well together. The passes are unbelievable.” 

 Sophomore Wren Horne is a potential breakout candidate for the Bobcats. “Her play is night and day from last season,” said Wall. “She is coming on strong. Her ability to shoot the three and defend and create turnovers. She is a great all-around player for us, she just wants it.” 

 The Bobcats started last season strong but seemed to run out of gas towards the end of the year, especially when their schedule started to beef up in the latter half of the year. 

 “We have really started from scratch this season,” said Wall. “I think we have the potential to be really good.” 

 The experience this core gained last year should be beneficial down the stretch of the regular season. 

 “The goal is to make a name for ourselves,” said Wall. “This whole team wants to be here. They show up early, stay in the gym late, they are very into this.”

 After a state final appearance, the Bow Falcons will have a bit of a new look both on the court and on the sideline with first-year head coach Cassidy Emerson.

 “We have a good core group coming back,” said Emerson. “They work harder than anybody else. Bow has that about them.” 

 Alex Larabee, and the LaPerle twins, Bella and Lyndsey, were staples of this program the last four seasons, and huge factors in the Falcon's undefeated run to the finals. 

 Juliette Tarsa and Sidney Roberge are the lone starters who return and will be turned to as leaders of the team. “We are raw, but we are getting there,” said Emerson.

 Tarsa led the team in scoring as a junior and is now the solidified number-one option for the Falcons. 

 “We need to do what we can to get her open,” said Emerson. “She is the type of athlete that holds the team on her back. I want to be her motivator and let her know she can lean on her teammates.” 

 The ability to score at all three levels gives Tarsa a multitude of ways to attack a defense, but opposing defenses are going to be throwing even more at her this season. 

 That is where someone like Sidney Roberge can step in, a player who is regarded as one of the best all-around defenders in the division now will step into an expanded offensive role. 

 “We will need to work the ball down low to her,” said Emerson. “Sidney is one of the best communicators in any sport and plays her role so well.” 

 Roberge will provide size along with fellow senior Kendall Murray. “They are two of the hardest workers we have,” said Emerson. “They have the ability to get offensive rebounds, but now we need them to have confidence to go back up with second chances. We will lean heavily on those two to get buckets.”

 Ella Trefethen will bring a ‘LaPerle’ like flair to the Falcons this season. “She is the fastest girl in the gym at all times,” said Emerson. “She sees the floor well. Ella will play a big role for us this season.” 

 Senior Kate Labreque is a player who has shown good signs of improvement and should be able to make an impact.

 Gabriella Tarsa is someone who is primed for a rotation spot this season along with Bry Szepan. 

 “Bry is not afraid to run through a pack,” said Emerson. “She has no fear and has a good shot from three as well.” 

 Last season’s championship loss is a thing of the past. “The girls are over it and focused on this year,” said Emerson. “The ultimate goal is to get back to that final game.” 

 The defensive identity of this team will not change, but where the offense comes from will still be a point of emphasis. 

 “We are working on confidence,” said Emerson. “I want them to be mentally tough this season. They are already physically tough, now it is about the mental part. We are taking things day by day and focusing on improving from the first game to the last.” 

 The defending champion Kennett Eagles return two starters and a lot of new faces as they look to make another postseason run. 

 “We have a good foundation,” said head coach Larry Meader. “They will be counted on to take the lead.” 

 All-state guard Kaley Goodhart is a gamer. The Eagles’ leading scorer returns and will be the focal point once again offensively. 

 Sydnie Chin and Kaylee McLellan were players the Eagles could turn to when times got tough. With them graduating, Goodhart takes on an even bigger role with the ball in her hands.

 “We will need her to run the show,” said Meader. “She has gotten better as a ball handler and as a floor general.”

 The three-level scorer will have running-mate Samantha Sidoti back down low. “Sam will need to take the next step inside,” said Meader. “She gives us that inside scoring and rebounding punch. I think she could be one of the better post players in the state.” 

 The one-two punch of Goodhart and Sidoti will be a problem in the pick and roll, something the Eagles will look to take advantage of. 

 The rest of the returning roster did not see much floor time, so many will be stepping into new roles, including sophomore Marlie Liebenow, who joins the starting backcourt. 

 “She has worked hard on her outside shot,” said Meader. “She will be a good compliment to Kaley.” 

 Abi Hynes will provide good size alongside Sidoti in the frontcourt. “I am hoping she can be a force down low,” said Meader. “We will rely on her size and rebounding capabilities.” 

 Senior Georgia Coleman returns to the program after a year away and will provide a big boost with her athleticism and presence underneath. 

 “She will be our matchup issue for opposing teams,” said Meader. “Now it is about working her back into basketball form.” 

 Senior Isabelle Brown can provide stability at the guard spot along with many others competing for playing time. 

 “We are a team that will get stronger throughout the year,” said Meader. “If we can win the games we are supposed to sneak a few that we may not be the favorite in, we can still be a solid team. We will be competitive.”

 After an 11-7 regular season, the Merrimack Valley Pride returns a strong core that should make them competitive from top to bottom. “I really like this group,” said head coach Bob McNutt.

 Kayla Smith could be a nightly double-double threat. “I am hoping we can get even more out of her this year,” said McNutt. “She brings a lot of athleticism to us.”

 Her ability to impact both ends of the floor will be key. The Pride are one of the more sound defensive teams in the division, but the focus will be on improved offensive production throughout the roster. 

 “Can we score enough, can we put it together?” said McNutt. “I think we can defend enough, but we need to do it on the offensive end as well.” 

 Isabelle Navoy swung as a freshman and now will see full-time varsity minutes as a sophomore. 

 “We really like what she brings,” said McNutts. “She has good size and can score.” 

 Jada Lucas is another wing with size who can bring intensity on the defensive end. “Isabelle and Jayla are two of the most athletic girls I have ever coached,” said McNutt. 

 Annika Horne should provide strong minutes and Sarah Navoy will bring a mental toughness to the floor every night that energizes this group. 

 Sydney Bailey will be the point guard for the Pride and Taylor Stinson will provide stability to the backcourt when needed. 

 “We don't necessarily have a top scorer, but we have good athletes and that goes a long way,” said McNutt. “We play a tough schedule which is good for us. We are focused on making the playoffs and going from there.” 

 The Derryfield Cougars return a roster with playoff potential. “We have the group and depth to be able to compete,” said head coach Courtney Cheetham.

 Sam Chappell and Abby Fournier were new to the program last season, and with that experience under their belt, they should be able to thrive in their senior seasons.

 “They are taking on more of a leadership role this year,” said Cheetham. “This is a good opportunity now that they are seasoned in the system.” 

 Fournier will be featured heavily in the backcourt. “She is understanding what we run a bit more,” said Cheetham. “She can read the floor well and is making good decisions.” 

 The six-foot guard brings athleticism to the floor and is a threat from anywhere. “She wreaks havoc on the defensive end,” said Cheetham. “Offensively she understands when she needs to be a scorer and when to be a passer.”

 Chappell is the best athlete on the team and can help in a multitude of ways. “She looks different with her strength,” said Cheetham. “She is so impactful on the defensive end. You won’t see many athletes like her.”

 Tia Ferdinando returns as the Cougar's leading scorer from a season ago and should be in a similar role this season.

 “I am hoping she can be a pure scorer at all three levels this season,” said Cheetham. “She is starting to read what the defense is giving. We know teams will target her, so she needs to make reads out of that and see what is best for the team.” 

 With Fournier emerging as a scoring threat, Ferdinando shouldn’t have to deal with junk defenses that she saw many games last year.

 Chloe Bremberg, Katie McCormick, and Kailyn Plage have been a part of the program since they were in middle school.

 “They are like seasoned veterans at this point,” said Cheetham. “They understand the game and what we are trying to do.” 

 Freshman Bre McCabe should see minutes right away and Brianna Sanchez Camilo will continue to provide quality depth. 

 “We have to lean on the equity across the board this year,” said Cheetham. “We need to understand what the best opportunities are for the group on both ends.” 

 Turnovers were an area that bogged the Cougars down in some games, and that is something they hope to cut down on. 

 “I am confident we will be prepared this season,” said Cheetham. “This is why we made the move to Division II. I want our kids to be competitive in every game. 

 While Derryfield finished at the .500 mark last year, that is something they feel they can exceed this time around. 

 “We understand we have to show up every game,” said Cheetham. “If we can give maximum effort and have the right attitude, good things can happen. I feel confident we can compete with anyone.”

 Bishop Brady returns five of their top seven from a 7-11 team a season ago. “Things have started great because the nucleus is back,” said head coach Sal Alosa. “The first five understand what we are trying to do. Now it will be about getting everyone else up to speed.” 

 Junior floor general Payton Bryson returns to run the Giant offense. “It helps when you get your point guard back,” said Alosa. “I expect her to be a leader on the floor, and when her shot is there she needs to take it.” 

 Losing leading scorer Megan Pellerin will be an adjustment, and finding offense from others will be something that develops early on. 

 Mia Wagner, Morgan Casey, and Clarie Jackson all return to the starting lineup and will need to be threats on every possession down the floor. 

 “They all have the green light,” said Alosa. “Sometimes they want to make the extra pass, but we are trying to instill that you need to take the shot. I love the jumpshot and playing up and down. We need to continue to do that.” 

 Abigail Tyrell was thrown into the fire last season and excelled when called upon. “We put her in the frying pan and she did great,” said Alosa. “She is varsity experienced this year and has looked even better.”

 This was an offense that was amongst the more dangerous ones in the division with their willingness to live and die by the three. If they can dictate tempo and create havoc defensively, this team could make a real jump this season. 

 “Their goal is to make it to the state semifinals,” said Alosa. “This group is enthusiastic, the energy has been there. There shouldn’t be any nerves with this group. I am excited and think they can do just fine this season.”

 After a Final Four appearance, the Pelham Pythons will look to reconfigure things after losing Jasmine Becotte to prep school.

 “You can’t replace 20-plus points per game overnight,” said head coach Bob Shepard. “We have to figure out how to fill that gap.” 

 Returning three starters is a good place to start. Olivia Todd will resume her spot at the forward position. 

 “She is small but her speed is big for us,” said Shepard. “Her outside shot continues to develop well.” 

 Sophia Joncas is a three-year starter and the senior forward will be relied upon on both ends. “I expect a lot of things out of her,” said Shepard. “She is one of the best defenders in the division and also one of the best rebounders.” 

 Her presence inside has always been felt on defense, but it will be needed more than ever on the offensive end. 

 Hannah Kelly will play alongside Joncas down low. “She really improved her game over the summer,” said Shepard. 

 Grace Riley is currently recovering from a foot injury that held her out in the fall, and the hope is she can return to action by mid-January. “She will give us a nice punch,” said Shepard.

 Freshman Jess Phillips will be an impactful point guard from day one. “She shows a lot of promise,” said Shepard. “We are going to need her to create for us.” 

 Everyone will have a much different role this season, so it could take time and reps to develop a real identity. 

 “I think we will be a team that improves as the season goes,” said Shepard. “These girls work hard. We will win our share of games and do just fine.”

 The Coe-Brown Bears enter the season rejuvenated and ready to return to the postseason after a 4-14 season one year ago. 

 Injuries plagued this group, with all-state forward Kalina Kasprzak missing a good chunk of time and never getting in a real flow. 

 “She is fully healthy this year,” said head coach Joe Vachon. “It is exciting for me because she is taking charge of this team.” 

 Kasprzak brings the total offensive package and should be in line to lead the Bears in scoring once again this season. 

 “She knows teams will be focused on her,” said Vachon. “Kalina is completely ready to make sure her teammates are successful. We have other options who can carry the load if she gets doubled.” 

 One of those players is junior Jennifer Noni. “She is one of those players that brings next-level effort,” said Vachon. “A lot of the time she wants it more than you do.”

 Sophomore Hannah Meehan returns as the starting point guard and benefited a lot from key reps as a freshman. 

 “She is reaping the benefits of going through the fire last season,” said Vachon. “She gives us that stable ball handler you need to have.” 

 Making mistakes and learning from them will only help the sophomore lead the charge for the Bears, and adds another piece to a solid core that returns. 

 “If Hannah, Kalina, and Jennifer are healthy and working hard to get better we will be able to compete,” said Vachon. 

 Emma Lapierre should be able to make an impact right away as a freshman and Zoey Smith and Ellah Crawn should also be in the rotation mix. 

 “I think people will be very surprised from what we are willing to give on the floor this year,” said Vachon. “There isn’t pressure on us right now, and we need to take advantage. The goal is to make the playoffs and do our best when nobody is watching.” 

 Kevin Fitzgerald takes over at Timberlane and hopes to build the program back up after a 2-16 finish last season. 

 “Everything we do is for the first time together,” said Fitzgerald. “There is a learning curve for sure, but they are eager to be coached. They are a great group to work with, that is the reason why I am here. Their willingness to work drew me to this program.”

 Four starters return, including leading scorer Maia Parker and junior forward Ava Stewart. “I am hoping they can provide stability each night,” said Fitzgerald. “They both bring versatility to the table.” 

 Ella Lampron will provide good length at the forward spot. “She is very active around the basket and runs the floor,” said Fitzgerald. “She could cause problems on both sides of the ball.” 

 Elizabeth Trasatti will bring shooting to the lineup and give a scoring punch alongside the other three starters. 

 Internal improvement is the primary focus. “We are concerned with trying to get better rather than who we are playing,” said Fitzgerald. “We want to put a good product out on the floor and compete.” 

 Timberlane has the athletes and the work ethic to right the ship, and this season could be a turning point. 

 “We want to create a winning culture,” said Fitzgerald. “We have girls that want to compete and will shop every day ready to work.”

 Sanborn continues their rebuild with their whole roster returning from a season ago. “We have a really good group coming back,” said head coach Brian Gray. 

 Emma Gillis earned all-state honors as a freshman and is primed for an even bigger season as a sophomore. 

 “We want to increase her usage,” said Gray. “She is someone who has a lot more tools in her toolbox when it comes to finishing and extending her range.” 

 Adding the element of being an off-ball scorer is something Gillis is working to improve on as well. “If she can add that she will be harder for teams to guard,” said Gray.

 Freshman Kaylee Fortin will be a help right away. “She can play defense and gives us another ball handler,” said Gray. 

 Senior Brook Hanson is a player that has come a long way the last few seasons. “She is someone who likes to win,” said Gray. “Brooke can push the pace. Seeing her execute pick and rolls over the summer is something she wasn’t comfortable with a year ago. She is starting to mature her game.” 

 Allie Bazanson will be the primary ball handler and is someone who can pick up better opposing players.

 “She has been at the helm for three years,” said Gray. “She is more fluid with her shot from deep and can run our offense.” 

 Crystal Korn is another senior in line for an extended role. “She worked hard this fall,” said Gray. “She has developed her shot and gives us more space on the court. Her decisions off-ball have gotten better. I am impressed with her improvement.” 

 Ashtyn DiRienzo brings a good inside-out game to the lineup, helping round things out for a Sanborn team that hopes to be on the rise. 

 “As always we want to outwork teams,” said Gray. “We don’t want to be a team heading for vacation early. We want to be a playoff team and play games that mean something. We are setting the stage to get back to where we were before.” 

 The Lebanon Red Raiders will look to continue their rebuild as Jeff Sowa takes the reins over on the sideline. 

 “This year will be about building expectations and culture,” said Sowa. “We want to build good habits as well. Everything has been an ongoing process but it has been going well so far.” 

 Maddie Jewell will be sidelined until January with injury, but the senior is still expected to make a big impact. 

 Sara Belk and Isabelle Hamilton are the other two seniors who will be turned to as leaders. “They will lead not just on the court but off it as well,” said Sowa. “They bring calmness and collectiveness to this team.” 

 Setting things up and ensuring everyone is in the right places at the right time is what this backcourt will be tasked with on a nightly basis.

 Freshman Summer Crowell is in line for a spot in the rotation right away. “She has a lot of potential,” said Sowa. 

 Defensive pressure and forcing turnovers will be something that will help this group generate offense in transition.

 Working on the fundamentals will be essential to the success the Red Raiders hope to have. 

 “The main goal is to get better every day,” said Sowa. “If we can be better than the last time we stepped on the floor every game that is all I can ask for.”

 Souhegan returns with a new-look roster after graduating five seniors. The biggest loss of the bunch was leading scorer Kate Canavan, who was a force to be reckoned with the last four years. 

 “We are starting over in a sense,” said head coach Mike Vetack. “With Kate being gone, a lot of them have more freedom on offense. We will need them to score, and they are figuring that out right now.” 

 Senior Mishka Tower returns with the most experience out of anyone on the roster. “Her role changes every year,” said Vetack. “She has always been that Tommy Point type of kid.” 

 Her aggressive nature has her diving on the floor for loose balls and making hustle plays, but they will need her to save herself a few bumps and bruises to stay healthy this season.

 “She will have the ball in her hands a lot this year,” said Vetack. “We will need her to be a more consistent scorer and continue to do the little things.” 

 Phoebe Faucher is a player who plays the right way. “She is still finding her footing at the varsity level,” said Vetack. “The intangibles are big with her.” 

 Caroline Drum has shown strong shooting ability throughout the preseason. “She is growing more comfortable with creating her own shot,” said Vetack. “Caroline is someone who can be a Defensive Player of the Year candidate.” 

 Zofia Rosenfield started as a freshman and will be even more experienced in year two. “She has a calm demeanor for a young player,” said Vetack. “You forget she is a sophomore. She is not super flashy, but she is the one you want catching the ball in the middle of a press because you know she will make the right decision.”

 Lanai Hickman is someone who has shown nice things throughout the preseason and could carve a rotation spot. 

 “We snuck into the playoffs last season and that is something we want to try and keep going,” said Vetack. “The playoffs are something we want to expect to do every year, hold ourselves to that standard.” 

 Heidi Moore takes over a Hollis-Brookline team that will be starting fresh with a new young core. 

 “We are kind of starting from scratch,” said Moore. “I am trying to make them understand that in order to be successful we have to work as a team.” 

 Sophomores make up a bulk of the roster and many of the returners did not see much varsity time last year. 

 “We lack experience but we make up for it with speed and grit,” said Moore. “They work hard and play to the end.” 

 Senior Julia Robbins has the most experience out of anyone. “She has been in the gym every day,” said Moore.

 Sophomore Brooke Bouchard will take on a much bigger role with this group. “I want Brooke and Julia to be leaders for us,” said Moore.

 Everyone will get a chance to contribute this season as the Cavalier rebuild will look to take the first step in the right direction. 

 “It is going to be a learning curve, but I think we will surprise some people,” said Moore. “I want this program to be solid for years to come. It won’t happen overnight, it will take time. This year will be an exciting one for this team.”

 The ConVal Cougars feature all underclassmen as the rebuild continues this winter. “This is a really tight group,” said head coach Kyle Murray. “Experience is the biggest hurdle for us this year.” 

 Savannah McCarthy started as a freshman and now takes on a bigger role in year two. “She has stepped up as a leader,” said Murray. “She is a good scorer and can bring the ball up if needed. She will help us make sure we are making good decisions on the court.” 

 Brielle Proctor contributed off the bench last season and now will get run with the starting unit. “She is starting to come alive,” said Murray. “She has more confidence and is becoming more confident as a shooter.” 

 Ava Vanhorn and Olivia Healey have the opportunity to play right away as freshmen, an opportunity they will take advantage of. 

 “They will be impactful,” said Murray. “They have already shown glimpses of good things to come.” 

 The Cougars will be young, but that won’t make them shy away from competition. “I want to be as scrappy as possible,” said Murray. “We won’t outsize or out-experience anyone, but if we can scrap and out-hustle that will be a big win.” 

 Kingswood looks to improve off a 1-16 season. A lot of the same roster is back and the hope is to take a step in the right direction.

 “They have created a more competitive atmosphere,” said head coach Elizabeth McLaughlin. 

 Junior captains Madison Eaton and Mora Davey will set the tone for the Knights. “They have the most experience to help lead this team,” said McLaughlin. 

 Kalyan Blastenburger shined as a freshman and should be able to continue her success in year two. “I want her to expand on her skill and confidence as a sophomore,” said McLaughlin. 

 Jordan Martino is a player who started to find a rhythm towards the end of last season. “Her confidence was through the roof,” said McLaughlin. “She is someone who can control the boards for us.” 

 Freshman Nora Pelletier could help boost offensive production for the Knights. “We want her to play her game,” said McLaughlin. “She needs to shoot when she is open and look at the rim.

 Morgan Stevens returns to the program for her senior season and will play right away. “Her athleticism is unmatched,” said McLaughlin. “She adds a different component to us. Once she gets going on defense, everyone else gets going. Her energy is contagious.” 

 The core is still young, but another step in the right direction can be made. “We are focusing on the bigger picture,” said McLaughlin. “We need to improve on the basics and get in sync with one another.”

 

Pre-Season First Team All-State

Macy Swormstedt of Laconia

Sydney McLaughlin of Hanover

Annelise Dexter of Pembroke

Emma Smith of Conocrd Christian

Kaley Goodhart of Kennett

 

Pre-Season Second Team All-State

Juliette Tarsa of Bow

Eleanor Giradet of John Stark

Lulu Maguire of Milford

Mekiah Burton of Laconia

Lilli Carlile of Concord Christian

 

With apologies to: Emma Gillis of Sanborn, Sam Sidoti of Kennett, Kayla Smith of Merrimack Valley, Sophia Joncas of Pelham, Tia Ferdinando of Derryfield, Vivian O'Quiin and Riley Drapeau of Oyster River, Abby Duclos of John Stark, Sidney Roberge of Bow, Kalina Kasprzak of Coe-Brown, and Maia Parker of Timberlane

 

Coming Tomorrow: Division II Boys