Instead of our normal Thursday Thoughts breakdown, we will be taking a look at all four divisions as we close in on the mid-way point of the season. 

 We will pick our favorites to go to the Final Four, and before doing that, the big question is: how important is a Top 4 seed and homecourt advantage for the prelims and quarterfinals? 

 For Division I, the home team has gone 8-4 in the opening round of the playoffs the last two years. The four losses are the most of any division.

 As for the quarterfinals, the home team has gone 8-0 in Division I the last two years, the best of any division, as the rest have gone 6-2.

 Here is the full breakdown:

 Division I: 8-4 Preliminary Record - 8-0 Quarterfinal Record

 Division II: 12-0 Preliminary Record - 6-2 Quarterfinal Record

 Division III: 13-1 Preliminary Record - 6-2 Quarterfinal Record

 Division IV: 12-2 Preliminary Record - 6-2 Quarterfinal Record

 

 A home-court advantage is what many of these teams will be vying for over the next few weeks, and the numbers show that it will play in their favor.

 Today we will take a look at all four divisions, make our all-state picks at the mid-way point, and the candidates for player and coach of the year honors.

 Our column today is brought to you by our new partners at AutoFair!

 AutoFair makes it happen, and now they are making the coverage of high school sports on NHSportspage happen as well.

 

Division I

Division I Standings and Scoring Leaders

Gold Level Coaches/Programs: Kevin Gibbs of Bedford, Greg Cotreau of Manchester Memorial, Ricky Oliver of Salem, Scott Blake of Spaulding, Frank Girginis of Alvirne, Kaylene Rogers of Exeter, Steve Largy of Goffstown, Lani Buskey of Pinkerton, and Jimmy Flynn of Dover

 

If forced to pick the four teams that will be in the Final Four: Bedford, Pinkerton, Londonderry, Portsmouth

 These were your top four teams in the preseason, and they remain the top four teams at the mid-way point.

 Bedford was the top dog coming into the season and that is where they will remain. 

 There aren't many better tandems in the state than Lana McCarthy and Kate Allard. 

 While their numbers may be down due to the talent this group has, they are leading this group on both ends of the floor.

 The depth of this team is what makes them so tough to stop. You know what McCarthy and Allard can bring on a nightly basis, but you also have a great creator in Lyla Stein and a good play finish in Sarah Muir who often gets overlooked.

 Annie Zink can get her own shot as well and compliments that starting lineup nicely. When Kevin Gibbs does turn to his bench he can turn to a sharpshooter in Devlyn McDonald, an already polished freshman in Mel McCarthy, and two steady players in Megan Muir and Grace Wolf.

 If there is any year for Bedford to capture another title, it is this one. How the rest of the season plays out is yet to be seen, but they have the pieces to finally finish this thing off.

  The biggest difference from last year to this year for the Pinkerton Astros has been their defense. 

 They have unlocked their potential on that end and have paired that with their division-best 74 points per game making for a very pretty showing of basketball on a night-to-night basis.

 Liz Lavoie may be the toughest player to stop from getting downhill in the state. Her three-point shot has come along, adding to an already expansive offensive repertoire. 

 Lani Buskey challenged Lavoie to take on guarding the best opposing player and she has taken that and ran with it. 

 Sydney Gerossie is healthy and playing some of the best basketball of her career. 

 She is averaging 20 points over her last four games and orchestrating the Astro offense to a tee. Having her healthy and back at full strength gives this team an extra punch.

 Brooke Benz, coming off an already impressive freshman season, seems to have taken her game to a new level and looks even more comfortable. 

 Alex White''s return to the lineup has been the biggest x-factor and gives this team a real identity on the defensive side of the ball. 

 Kaylee Dupuis can fly under the radar a bit, but is putting together another rock-solid season and fills out a lethal Pinkerton starting five.

 They made a statement in their 74-48 road win over Londonderry. We knew they were for real coming into the season, but that was quite the reassuring win. 

 Londonderry is another true contender that feels they have a real chance to be the last one's standing at UNH. 

 The Pinkerton score was an eye-opener since they were held under 60 points for the first time all season. 

 This is still a young team, so facing a bit of adversity like this early in the season may help them in the long run. 

 They controlled Portsmouth for the most part back on December 19th before the Clippers made things interesting late with a 25-point 4th quarter in the 64-62 Lancer win. 

 Closing games may be the hurdle they will need to get over in the postseason. Needless to say, they have a group more than capable of doing that.

 Sammie Sullivan may be one of the best one-on-one scorers in all of New Hampshire.

 Her range is deep, she can get shots off dribble and off the catch in the mid-range, and her size and speed can get her shots inside with ease. 

 The biggest development for Sullivan this year may be her leadership. This is her team, and she has done a great job of getting everyone on the same page and buying in. 

 The emergence of Brooke Eacrett is a beneficial one for the Lancers. It has been a complete 180 in terms of confidence level from freshman to sophomore year. 

 She is a pure shooter who is also showing a willingness to create for herself and others. Her development has been key to this Londonderry run so far. 

 Gemma Murray has burst onto the scene as a varsity-ready point guard. As any freshman does she has had ups and downs, but she has given this team really good minutes so far. 

 The glue to this team is Reagan Anderson and Kate Sloper. Anderson fills the stat sheet and is one of the most important players on the floor at all times for Londonderry. 

 Sloper is that defensive stopper that every championship-level team needs. She can guard 1-4 and her versatility will be big down the stretch of the season. 

 Despite being 6-3, Portsmouth can still be the team hoisting the trophy when all is said and done. 

 They have taken their bumps, with all three of their losses coming to the teams listed above them. 

 They have been right in all three of these games, nearly pulling off the comeback against Londonderry and coming back from a 21-3 start against Bedford. 

 Slow starts and cold shooting nights have plagued this group at times, so getting over that hump will be their biggest challenge. They are capable of finishing games off, they just need to start them better. 

 Avery Romps can get you stops and buckets and her counterpart Margaret Montplaisir can do the same. This duo can compete with the best of them and has shown up in the big moments this season. 

 Mackenzie Lombardi had a historic playoff run, especially shooting the ball last season. She is off to a bit of a slower start, but it will be interesting to see the ramp-up she has come postseason time. 

 The biggest weapon the Clippers have is Maddie MacCannell, who is one of the lone players who has a chance at limiting a player like Lana McCarthy. 

 Her all-around play has been a big factor this season and will be as we near the postseason.

 The Clippers belong in the conversations with the teams ahead of them and still have a great chance to knock one of them off in the postseason.

 

The Sleeper Team that could crash the Final Four party: Salem

 The Blue Devils have been the biggest surprise of the Division I season. They have scored the ball at a much better clip than they did a season ago and have given the teams above of them the best games out of anyone they play outside of that top-four group.

 How they play a team like BG tonight could be telling what is in store for Salem, but if they can get the right matchups, especially in the quarterfinals, they could give someone a bit of a scare. 

 Lillian George has emerged as this team's primary scorer, and Lindsay Goetz and Gabrielle Mosto have been much more consistent in their play this season.

 It is hard to picture anyone outside of the top four making a run to the Final Four, but Salem certainly is the candidate if there is one.

 When this team gets hot, they are a tough train to slow down. If their offensive production continues their chances in the playoffs will increase even more.

 

Mid-Season Player of the Year: Elizabeth Lavoie of Pinkerton

Mid-Season Coach of the Year: Ricky Oliver of Salem

 

 

 Mid-Season First Team All-State

 Elizabeth Lavoie of Pinkerton

 Lana McCarthy of Bedford

 Sammie Sullivan of Londonderry

 Kate Allard of Bedford

 Syd Gerossie of Pinkerton

 

 Mid-Season Second Team All-State

 Avery Romps of Portsmouth

 Lilly Nossiff of Dover

 Margaret Montplaisir of Portsmouth

 Maggie Sasso of Goffstown

 Brooke Eacrett of Londonderry

 

 

Division II

Division II Standings and Scoring Leaders

Gold Level Coaches/Programs: Dan O'Rourke of Hanover, Brian Gray of Sanborn, Larry Meader of Kennett, Bryan Wall of Oyster River, Bob McNutt of Merrimack Valley, and Rebecca Carlile of Concord Christian

 

If forced to pick the four teams that will be in the Final Four: Concord Christian, Pembroke, Laconia, Bow

 Concord Christian is looking to capture their first Division II title, third overall, and have the makings to do so. 

 Losing Megan and Sarah Muir to Bedford was the biggest question mark heading into this season, but everyone on this roster has stepped up in their absence.

 Emma Smith is still firing away from deep and is becoming a better three-level scorer than she was a season ago.

 Lillia Carlile is shooting the ball at a better clip and continues to beat teams in transition with her speed and ability to get to the basket. 

 The emergence of Kayden Rioux as a scorer and the continued steady two-way play of Kate Smith gives this group arguably the best lineup in the division.

 Transition play was the name of the game for this group since they were so good at turning you over the last few years. Now, they are beating you more from deep on top of winning the fast-break game.

 No one has gotten the best of this team yet, and it is hard to see that changing anytime soon. 

 Pembroke can score, and score, and score some more. They had a streak of 70-plus points for three straight games after a narrow 42-35 win over Bow to begin January.

 Annelise Dexter has been one of the best players in the division and is still finding different ways to attack on a nightly basis.

 In that Bow game, you saw her start to see she can just shoot over defenders when needed.

 The three-ball is there, the dribble pull-up is there, and she can get to the basket whenever she wants.

 The attention she draws is opening looks for someone like Kaitlin Arenella who is a great one-on-one scorer in her own right. 

 Taylor Renna is a marksman from deep and always seems to be in the right place at the right time on offense.

 Kate Stephens has done a great job taking care of the basketball for the Spartans and Hailey Steinmetz feels like someone who could be an x-factor down the stretch as she has started to find a rhythm offensively as of late.

 They will put their offense to the test on the road against Concord Christian next Tuesday. This is a score to watch for, as Concord Christian has handled most of their competition through nine games.  

 Laconia has one of the best one-two punches in the division with Macy Swormstedt and Mekhia Burton. The mix of an inside and outside presence is what makes this Sachems team a unique one. 

 Swormstedt continues to get better and better as a junior and can be counted on when you need a bucket down the stretch. 

 Burton can create second chances off of hustle alone and is one of the best rebounders and defensive generals we have seen the last few seasons. 

 Renee Bergeron and Maddy Mousseau fill the holes for this team and have valuable playoff experience from a season ago.

 This team isn't afraid to go on the road and win, which they should have in their win in the quarters at Hanover last season. 

 We will have coverage of the rematch tonight against a Hanover team that feels they can earn a spot in the semifinals as well.

 Bow had a lot of turnover from last year's runner-up team, but they have found a new identity and have racked up some really nice wins over the last few weeks.

 Since their January 2nd loss to Pembroke, the Falcons have rattled off four straight wins, most notably wins on the road over Hanover and Milford and a big win at home over Oyster River. 

 Juliette Tarsa was the leading scorer a season ago, and that has not changed this year.

 The big question was where the offense out of Tarsa would come from. If you answered Bryana Szepan and Elle Trefethen, you answered correctly.

 Trefethen has great speed and has started to use that to get to the basket and create either layups or drive-and-kick opportunities. 

 Szepan has started to come into her own, scoring a season-high 23 points in the win over Milford, and her confidence has begun to grow as well.

 If you have three options to go to, that will force opposing defenses to change their game plan against Tarsa. The floor has really opened up and the Falcons are playing some very good basketball.

 A lot of this will hinge on the health of Sidney Roberge, who has missed the last three games.

 Having that ball-stopping defender in Roberge will be crucial come playoff time.

 As mentioned, Hanover feels like a team that has a chance to be here, and the same goes for a team like Oyster River who can score with the best of them.

 

The Sleeper Team that could crash the Final Four party: Kennett

  The defending champs certainly feel they could have a say in how things play out in February and March. 

 Kaley Goodhart has taken command of this group and is producing yet another all-state-level season. 

 Samantha Sidoti is doing the same. She is one of the lone true bigs in the division and has been eating teams alive in the paint. 

 That tandem has carried the Eagles to a 6-4 record, but what they get outside of those two will be the big question heading into the playoffs. 

 This is a group that has killed you from deep in years past, but that hasn't been the case this year. 

 If another scorer can emerge that could be big for Kennett down the line. 

 The other issue has been keeping leads. They have had a few games this year where they have coughed up sizable leads in the second half. 

 It will take some fine-tuning over these next few weeks, but this could be a team that gets on the favorable side of the bracket.

 They have two of the best players in the division on their side, so they should feel confident heading anywhere in the postseason.

 

Mid-Season Player of the Year: Annelise Dexter of Pembroke

Mid-Season Coach of the Year: Cassidy Emerson of Bow

 

 

 Mid-Season First Team All-State

 Annelise Dexter of Pembroke

 Macy Swormstedt of Laconia

 Emma Smith of Concord Christian

 Sydney McLaughlin of Hanover

 Kaley Goodhart of Kennett

 

 Mid-Season Second Team All-State

 Viv O'Quinn of Oyster River

 Mekhia Burton of Laconia

 Lilli Carlile of Concord Christian

 Juliette Tarsa of Bow

 Samantha Sidoti of Kennett

 

 

Division III

Division III Standings and Scoring Leaders

Gold Level Coaches/Programs: Kevin Giannino of St. Thomas Aquinas, Ed Tenney of Kearsarge, Scott Currier of Gilford, Don Picard of Berlin, and Mike Mahoney of Hopkinton

 

If forced to pick the four teams that will be in the Final Four: Winnisquam, St. Thomas Aquinas, Hopkinton, Gilford

 For a division that is as unpredictable as they come, it currently feels like there are about eight teams that could be in the Final Four discussion. 

 Since it has to be narrowed down to four, these are the teams that hold the slight edge.

 Winnisquam is the lone undefeated team in the division and features one of the top players in Lauren MacDonald.

 Their schedule over the next few weeks will put that streak to the test with White Mountains at home and trips to Kearsarge and Stevens to finish out the season on deck.

 MacDonald has been nothing short of terrific for Mark Dawalga's squad. Her size and scoring ability give her an advantage over nearly every defender she faces in this division.

 The player of the year candidate has carried this team for stretches, but this group also includes two other double-digit scorers in sophomore Caidyn Carter and Victoria Kelly. 

 This mix has been unable to be stopped so far. For a program that has taken its hits the last few years and developed the long way, this season has been a special one so far.

 With how wide open this division is, this could be a prime opportunity to capture the first girl's basketball championship in school history.

 St. Thomas has quietly taken care of business these past few weeks. The emergence of Emilie von der Linden has been the difference for this team who now has a consistent size advantage inside every night.

 Genna Bolduc and Emma Toriello are some of the best one-two punches on the perimeter and have the Saints looking like a real title threat.

 The scoring outside of those three is the biggest question mark, but the athletes that make up this rotation give the Saints versatility on both ends of the floor. 

 Kevin Giannino has put in place a system that this group thrives in, and their winning ways this year have proven just that.

 It has been a few years of steady development, but now this team looks ready to take the next step.

 Their schedule has not proven to be too tough as of late, but ending the year with a team like Hopkinton should prepare this team for what should be a long playoff run.

 Speaking of the Hawks, this group is right in the thick of things in Division III.

 The injuries to Keegan St. Cyr and Katie Brown have not slowed this team down one bit.

 While their offense is still adjusting, their play on the defensive end has picked up in response.

 Shaylee Murdough is a do-it-all player for this team. Having St. Cyr on the floor helped alleviate pressure on the offensive end, but Murdough has taken on the challenge of leading the charge on both sides of the ball.

 Sydney Westover does a great job on the offensive glass creating second-chance opportunities and Lizz Holmes is great at being an on-ball and help-side defender while also generating good looks inside the paint offensively. 

 From there, it is really a different role player that steps up each game for Mike Mahoney's squad.

 Whether it is Helen Yeaton, Zoe Bishop, or Paige Boudette, this is a team fully bought in and plays for one another.

 The Golden Eagles' play as of late has gotten them right in the middle of the Final Four conversation. 

 They handed Hopkinton their lone loss of the season and won a thriller on the road over Kearsarge all in the span of a week.

 Olivia Keenan has stepped her play up, Ryan Guyer has run the show for Gilford at the point, and Millie Caldon's offensive surge this season has given Scott Currier's team a nice boost.

 They have been able to get stops late in and their transition game has come through for them in many games this season. Their goal was to get away from the eight seed, and they look like they could do just that.

 The resume is impressive, but several teams could crack this group. 

 Conant is playing some of their best basketball of the season as of late, beating this Golden Eagle team a week back, and now get to host them in a big one tonight, Kearsarge is still a group that feels like they can make a run.

 This may be the hardest division of all to pick since it has been so tight throughout the regular season.

 

 

The Sleeper Team that could crash the Final Four party: Monadnock

 As always, this is right where Monadnock wants to be. No one will want to draw this group in the first round.

 They remain one of the best defensive teams in the division and can match up with most any time ahead of them in the standings.

 It has been scoring by committee for the Huskies, with Shaylee Branon, Marlee Carrol-Clough, Cainen Avery, and Regan Kidney all proving to be capable double-digit scorers.

 At home or on the road, this group will come to play and will be motivated to make another run at a title.

 

Mid-Season Player of the Year: Lauren MacDonald of Winnisquam

Mid-Season Coach of the Year: Mark Dawalga of Winnisquam

 

 Mid-Season First Team All-State

 Lauren MacDonald of Winnisquam

 Kiley Bundy of Stevens

 Shaylee Murdough of Hopkinton

 Tessa Marinello of Kearsarge

 Genna Bolduc of St. Thomas Aquinas 

 

 Mid-Season Second Team All-State

 Emilie von der Linden of St. Thomas Aquinas

 Sophia Capsalis of Prospect Mountain

 Olivia Keenan of Gilford

 Hannah Manley of Conant

 Makenna Houston of Mascoma Valley

 

Division IV 

Division IV Standings and Scoring Leaders

Gold Level Coaches/Programs: Derek Tremblay of Mount Royal, Joseph Williams of Holy Family, Meghan Averill of Newmarket, Tim Haskins of Groveton, Dale Prior of Littleton, and Duane Call of Colebrook

 

If forced to pick the four teams that will be in the Final Four: Littleton, Groveton, Woodsville, Newmarket 

 It is once again a rather North Country-dominant Final Four prediction as they have produced the best teams so far this season. 

 Littleton, Groveton, and Woodsville have led the top three since the second week of the season. It is hard to see any of these three not making a run to the semifinals, especially with two games at home. 

 A game that comes to mind is when Littleton went to Farmington and scored 68 in a 23-point win over the Tigers. 

 Farmington has been one of the better teams down south this season and have a terrific home-court advantage of their own. They will be a threat in their own right, but that win by the Crusaders shows you the gap between the top teams in the North Country and the rest of the division.

 Littleton came in with the most depth and experience and it is showing through an undefeated start. 

 Addison Hadlock has been the connector on both ends of the floor for this group. Her impact on the boards and the defensive end may be more important to this group than the offense she produces on a nightly basis.

 We saw last year this group struggle outside of Hadlock and Lauryn Corrigan to open looks in the playoffs. Those fortunes have since changed with five players averaging over eight points a night. 

 The goal is always for this group to get two home games, something they did last year, but this time around they seem ready to finish the job. 

 Groveton is a team that is motivated after falling short in the title game last year. While the rotation took a hit with the seniors who graduated, Delaney Whiting has gone up a level.

 She is a more confident scorer than she was a season ago and pairing that with Aspen Clermont who has also taken a jump and this Eagle team looks like one that can go the distance. 

 While they sit at 12-1, they have had some deficits to come back from against teams like Newmarket and White Mountains. Finding different ways to win, especially with the defense this group has played this year, is something that will come in handy come postseason time.

 The Engineers have found much more success in the regular season compared to their 14-seed finish a season ago.

 The hard work has paid off for a player like Paige Royer who has turned into an all-state-level talent and is a commanding force in the paint, something not many other teams possess.

 Makayla Walker is more polished as a sophomore and the two combine to make things click for the Woodsville offense.

 This a team that can grind you out defensively and hold teams in check, especially on their home floor.

  Teams like the Engineers and Colebrook have such an advantage with their smaller floors, which makes the regular season that much more important for them. 

 If they can get an opportunity to press and trap you, they have a good feeling they can wear you down and beat you.

 While their run won't be as "Cinderella-esque" as it was last year, it will still be one to watch for.

 Newmarket went on the road last year and stunned Littleton on their home floor. With where they sit currently there is a chance they won't have to do that this time around, and instead have two teams come to them.

 As always for this Newmarket team, it is their defense that will give them a chance to win.

 When they can slow you down and force you to play at their tempo, there aren't many teams that can beat them with the stops they can get.

 Kiara Rugora has emerged as a lethal scorer for the Mules, and pairing her alongside Amaya Beckles has gotten Newmarket into the Top 4 conversation.

 They have hit some bumps this year, but out of all the teams to choose from, especially down south, their defense outweighs many other team's strengths.

 If their offense gets them into the high 30's, or low 40's, this team has a very good chance to get back to the Final Four.

 

The Sleeper Team that could crash the Final Four party: Pittsburg-Canaan

 Road wins over Colebrook and Woodsville has solidified this group as someone that can win two rounds in the playoffs. They have won three straight and are certainly building momentum towards the postseason. 

 They currently sit at the 11-seed and are a team no one will want to see in the first round. 

 Saidy Placey is playing at a first-team all-state level and has given this team enough scoring punch to get these big wins on the road.

 Sienna Grondin's ability to rebound and also put the ball in the basket a bit more than she did a season ago has given the Yellow Jackets a recipe for success.

 How they finish out the season will be important, but this team has the makings of one that could bust some brackets.

 

 Mid-Season Player of the Year: Addison Hadlock of Littleton

 Mid-Season Coach of the Year: Joseph Williams of Holy Family

 

 Mid-Season First Team All-State

 Addison Hadlock of Littleton

 Delaney Whiting of Groveton

 Haley Rossitto of Colebrook

 Kourtney Kaplan of Franklin

 Saidy Placey of Pittsburg-Canaan

 

 Mid-Season Second Team All-State

 Paige Royer of Woodsville

 Ava Buchanan of Portsmouth Christian

 Makayla Walker of Woodsville

 Ryenn Pedone of Holy Family

 Lexi Bausha of Wilton-Lyndeborough