Our second semifinal scouting report of the year is here to breakdown the Division IV Final Four. 

 The coaches are the ones who help put this together, giving us some of the best insight we get on these four teams since they are the ones scouting and game-planning for them all season long.

 We had three coaches breakdown both matchups and all four teams using blind quotes.

 Brought to you by our friends and partners at White Mountains Community College!

 

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

(4) Farmington vs. (1) Littleton

Box score from first meeting: Littleton 68, Farmington 45

 Farmington took charge in overtime to defeat Woodsville and advance to the Final Four for the first time since 1989. 

 Our coaches take a look at the fourth-seeded Tigers first.

  "This is probably the two deepest teams in the division when asking the question, 'Do they have four or more players who could score 10 plus points?"

 "Maddie Ricker, Zoey Johnson, Shaylee DiPrizio, Anna Cardinal, and Jalyn Prosper, who, in my opinion, is the most underrated player in Division IV, are threats from beyond the arc," said one coach.

 "Cardinal, Johnson, Ryleigh Hogan, and Ricker can play the post whenever they desire and come away with an and-one."

 "Their shot-making and ability to play at a variety of paces is a strength for Farmington."

 Offensively the pieces are there to compete with a Littleton group who put up high scoring tallies all year.

 "Their improvement from last year is directly tied to Madi Ricker not having to do so much for them. DiPrizio and Zoey Johnson can each score 15 plus," said one coach.

 "DiPrizio needs to continue her good play. They will need more offense from Johnson in this one," said another coach.

 "Farmington has the speed, height, and agility to match-up man to man with Littleton, which is Farmington’s favorite method of defensive attack," said one coach.

 Another coach countered the defensive side of the ball for the Tigers. 

 "More than any other team in the Final Four, Farmington can give up points."

 "Farmington must have an answer for Addison Hadlock inside," said another coach.

 "There are a number of players on Farmington who challenge shots. If those attempts lead to foul trouble, it might be taxing on Farmington's depth."

 Littleton has been the clear-cut number one all year long, but all three coaches agreed playing with confidence and playing free will be key in this one. 

 "Littleton is obviously the favorite. However, Farmington is playing with house money after their victory over Woodsville. The pressure of expectations must weigh on Littleton," said one coach. 

 "The irony with this match-up is that both teams' weaknesses come from their youth, making the playing field even. Young players with some high-pressure game experience tend to foul and make mistakes under the lights, which could be costly to either team. In a match-up like this every turn-over will be costly."

 "The 23-point victory by Littleton over Farmington in January can't be ignored."

 "Farmington has matured since then and won’t go down without a fight. Coach Dawn Weeks will have her young group prepared to take on this year's Division IV giant," said one coach.

 "The weakness for Farmington in the first matchup was handling pressure, and Littleton will continue to apply pressure," said another coach. 

 "The biggest surprise could be Farmington does handle pressure this team around and keeps the score in the 40's to keep it close."

 Now, what about the top-seeded Crusaders?

 "Littleton arrives to Bedford High with one of, if not the most consistent offense-defense combinations in Division IV. Scoring an average of 56.6 points per game and allowing an average of 31.7, Littleton has all the gears greased and in working order," said one coach. 

 "Littleton can comfortably go eight deep without missing a beat." 

 "Ball security is a strength. They have the ability to bury teams in runs induced by their press or three-point shooting," said another coach.

 Addison Hadlock was highlighted as a big key in this one. 

 "Hadlock is a tough matchup for the Tigers. She can take post defenders off the dribble and will find shooters if the defense converges on the middle." 

 "Hadlock is a nightmare in the paint to defend and an offensive frustration on the other end of the court. Lauryn Corrigan can hit as many threes as a defense allows her to take, while everyone else can chip in double digit numbers on any given night."

 "The Hadlock-Ricker battle could be a difference. Hadlock is consistent every night with 10-14 points plus blocks and assists, while Ricker can battle on the inside or hit a few threes in transition."

 "Keep an eye on the Shaylee DiPrizio and Lauryn Corrigan match up. If one or the other is having a cold shooting night, it could be the difference in this game. Corrigan lit up the floor against Holy Family scoring 24 points, most of which were from the three-point line. DiPrizio netted 15 against Woodsville but has had a few 20 plus point games throughout the season." 

 The depth and speed of this group has helped the Crusaders a two-way juggernaut. 

 "JuJu Bromley versus Ricker and DiPrizio is going to be an impactful matchup. Bromley's quickness is difficult to simulate in practice," said one coach. 

 "Bromley is the fastest and most disruptive player in Division IV. Addison Pilgrim has been playing her best basketball lately as well.

 For a team that sits at a perfect 20-0, a cold shooting night could be the one thing standing between them and a championship apperance.

 "They have a good collection of shooters, but they could be described as being over-reliant on the three. An unfamiliar Bedford gym with its expanded backdrop might take some points off the board," said one coach. 

 So, who wins tonight?

 "My pick is Littleton, though I think round two for the Tigers could be a lot more competitive and they could surprise us by giving the Crusaders a run for their money. This is Littleton's year, and Farmington’s is just around the corner."

 "Littleton by 15. There will be a run that Farmington won't be able to answer." 

 "Littleton by 12-15 points they can beat you so many ways, they can get on a roll with their pressure and before you know it you are down double figures."

 

(3) Newmarket vs. (2) Groveton

Box score from first meeting: Groveton 34, Newmarket 21

 We get a rematch of last year's semifinal and a game that saw the Mules leading at halftime in Groveton when these team's met in the regular season. 

 When describing Newmarket, one coach kept it simple: 

 "Defense, Defense, Defense."

 "First team to 30 wins," said another coach.

 "Their defense is the best in the division, and I think the gap between them and number two is significant." 

 "The Averill’s team defense is a defense that is developed over multiple generations of Newmarket basketball players. No matter who  graduates, they are quickly and seamlessly replaced with a student-athlete of the same caliber as the senior who graduated," said one coach.

 "Stellar defense is a non-negotiable in Newmarket, and has proven to be their true foundation for posting double digit wins each year."

 "Jillian Long heads the Newmarket defense, allowing an average of 24.1 points per game."

 The mental hurdle may be the biggest aspect to this game.

 "Groveton has beaten the Mules three times in the past 13 months. No matter how competitive the games have been, it's a mental challenge for Newmarket to overcome."

 While defense will be on their side, how Newmarket produces on the offensive end could be the deciding factor.

 "Kiara Rugora didn't play in the first matchup. If she just gets her average and plays in the first game it is only a three point contest."

 "Rugora and Amaya Beckles bring a type of athleticism to the court that few teams can counter," said another coach.

 "Beyond Beckles and Rugora, they might struggle to score."

 "Beckles versus the guards of Groveton might be the most impactful matchup. Beckles is very good, but it will be exhausting to deal with Groveton's pressure," said one coach.

 "The battle for the mid/high-post when Groveton is on defense will be key. If she plays in the middle, Kenison and Groveton's guards need to keep Jillian Long and Rugora from getting good looks and opportunities for offensive rebounds."

 "Newmarket has thrown a 1-2-2 press at teams. If they can get 6-8 points off of that, that will be huge given the low-scoring nature I'm expecting."

 "If Newmarket can hold Whiting to the 12-15 point range, or make Whiting win the game by herself by offensively shutting down the rest of the Eagles, they can pull off the victory."

 What about the Eagles?

 "Coach Haskins has been coaching since before many, if not all, of his current players were born and has a plethora of experience in playoff games in multiple sports," said one coach.

 "Groveton has the best player on the floor in Delaney Whiting."

 "Whoever defends Whiting has to keep the ball out of her hands. She is so too good off the dribble."

 "Whiting is a very good all-around player and Aspen Clermont and Paige Lambert are incredibly quick," said another coach.

 "Their speed and Newmarket's focus on Whiting might give those Groveton guards a chance to attack the rim."

 Lambert is seen as a potential X-factor in this one. 

 "If Paige Lambert can score nine to 10 points to go along with Clermont and Whiting's normal production that will be huge."

 The lack of size will be the biggest task for the Eagles to manage.

 "Groveton doesn't have a ton of size and they play zone; they'll have to work hard to control the defensive boards." 

 "The Lack of inside presence offensively and defensively is a weakness. Rebounding could be an issue."

 "The upper advantage in this game goes to Groveton as their top player is averaging just about the same amount of points Newmarket typically allows as a team," said one coach.

 "Groveton’s offense is more consistent in getting them into the 40’s and 50’s, but even if they stay in the upper 30’s I believe that will be too much for the Mules to make up against a tight defense."

 So, who wins tonight?

 "My prediction is a Groveton win by five to six points, 10 points if the Mules have to start fouling at the end of the game."

 "Groveton by two."

 "A true pick 'em game. I will go with Newmarket by four. They get the stops in the end to hold on."