With the Division III playoffs underway and Division IV wrapping up their regular season this past Tuesday, today will be a Division I and II focused column with loads of content coming for III and IV over the next few weeks. 

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

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

1. Bedford: The Bulldogs continue to prove why they are the team to beat in Division I. Their 91-54 win over Pinkerton was an exciting one to start, with a dominant Bedford second half. Lyla Stein controlled the pace all night long while Kate Allard and Lana McCarthy got all their looks in rhythm. The depth of this group showed in this one, with Megan Muir and Mel McCarthy providing a real spark off the bench.

2. Pinkerton: The Astros hung tough in the first half with Bedford, but the absence of Syd Gerossie started to show when the turnovers started to pile up in the second half. It was a punch that the Astros responded to with a 78-31 win over Pinkerton on Tuesday night. Alex White did a great job being the de-facto point guard on Friday night, something the Astros can certainly turn to when needed.

3. Londonderry: The Lancers have rattled off six straight wins and will try and make it seven when they travel to Goffstown tonight. Windham hung right in there with Londonderry on Tuesday, in a game that looked like a grudge match for most of the night. The scoring punch has been back in full effect over this win streak, something that will need to carry over against a sound Grizzlies team.

4. Portsmouth: Portsmouth is also riding a six game win streak as they have taken care of business over the last few weeks, winning games by an average of 35.1 points, and featuring balanced scoring up and down the roster. A trip to Dover Friday night could be an interesting one, especially the Maddie MacCannell-Lilly Nossiff matchup.

5. Salem: Salem is playing some of their best basketball of the season, with wins over Dover and Keene all coming in the span of a week. Lilly George has been leading the charge as of late, averaging 20.5 ppg over the Blue Devils four game win streak.

6. Goffstown: Maggie Sasso eclipsed the 1,000 point mark in a win over Merrimack Wednesday night and now Goffstown will see if they can slow down the Londonderry offense tonight. In their 11 wins this year the Grizzlies are allowing just 33.6 points a game. When they lock in on that end, they have what it takes. We will see if that is an end of the floor they can control tonight.

7. Dover: The Green Wave will need to bring their A-game with Portsmouth coming to town Friday night. Lilly Nossiff may see double teams all night, so getting double digits out of Olivia Rutland and Avery Littlefield will be crucial in this one.

8. Windham: While they are on a two game skid, it is fair to label these quality losses against Dover and Londonderry. This group has shown the ability all year to get you to play at their pace. Their offense will need an extra gear in the playoffs, but their defense looks postseason-ready.

9. Alvirne: Hello Broncos! Alvirne earned their best win of the year, 51-44 over Dover on Monday night behind 20 points and strong two-way play from Ella Hartson. This could be just the momentum they need to stay in contention for a home playoff game.

10. Keene: The Blackbirds have lost three straight and will look to snap that streak against Winnacunnet tonight. A strong finish can keep them in the conversation for a home playoff game, but it may take winning out to do so.

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

1. Concord Christian: A rematch with Laconia tonight could be a preview of what we see in a few weeks. We saw this team play one of their closer contests of the year with Bow on Monday, something that will benefit them come playoff time.

2. Pembroke: The Spartans extended their win streak to four games with a 52-30 win over Bishop Brady Tuesday night. Over the streak, we have seen this team struggle out of the gate, falling behind big in the Oyster River game we did last week, trailing 12-4 after on quarter against Kennett. This is something I am sure Steve Langevin and company are looking to clean up before the playoffs get underway.

3. Laconia: Laconia's loss to Pelham on Tuesday snapped a 12 game win streak. A second quarter drought was the difference in that one, but now the Sachems turn their attention to CCA, the only other team to hand them a loss this year. Laconia doesn't want to turn this into an up-and-down game with Concord Christian. Macy Swormstedt will need to dictate how the pace of this one goes if Laconia wants to avoid a losing streak.

4. John Stark: John Stark responded to the loss to Derryfield with a commanding 60-44 win over Merrimack Valley. When the outside shot is falling, that opens up things for Eleanor Giradet in the paint, making the Generals a tough out for any opponent. A big regular season finale with Pembroke awaits in what will determine how high or low they go in the standings.

5. Pelham: The Pythons are your biggest risers in this weeks rankings. Their 59-58 win over Laconia was one of the bigger upsets we have seen this season. As always, it was spread out scoring for Pelham, with Olivia Todd scoring 19, 18 from Sophia Guinazzo, and 10 from Grace Riley. This team is a surprise no more, as they have solidified themselves as a real threat.

6. Bow: The Falcons gave CCA all they could handle on Monday. This is a loss that shows this group they can make a run, even without their defensive stopper Sidney Roberge. 

7. Hanover: 11 players found their score column in a 52-20 win over Derryfield. Hanover has won six straight against Division II opponents and seem to be finding their stride in time for the playoffs.

8. Oyster River: The Bobcats snapped a two-game skid with a 49-32 win over Sanborn on Tuesday. We have seen this group battle with the best in Division II. RIley Drapeau and Maeve Hickok can change the course of a game with how they offensive rebound, something they can lean on if the outside shot isn't falling.

9. Derryfield: The Cougars answered the call with a 44-34 win over John Stark last Friday behind 17 points from Chloe Bremberg. It wasn't the same story playing Hanover on Tuesday, but no Bre McCabe in that contest certainly didn't help. They play a rising Pelham team on Friday in a game that seems near even on paper. 

10. Milford: Avery Fuller propelled the Spartans to a 45-39 win over rival Hollis-Brookline, snapping a three-game losing streak. It has been an up-and-down year for a Milford team who has battled injuries and adversity, but they find themselves at 8-8 and will be a tough out for anyone with how hard they push teams.