Today we take a look and breakdown the four quarterfinal games taking place in Division I tonight.

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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

 

#9 Exeter at #1 Bedford

Box score of the first meeting: Bedford 67, Exeter 22

My take: The biggest thing this game will come down to is can Exeter limit big quarters. The Blue Hawks will want to play this one slow, and not go down 16-2 out the gate like they did in the first matchup.

 Anna McGuinness and Lexy Rogers have been the focal points on the offensive end for Exeter and will need strong performances to keep up with one of if not the best offense in the division. 

 Driving to the hole and trying to draw fouls to get to the line and slow the pace down might be an area they need to attack. 

 If you're Bedford, you want to come out fast and make this an up-and-down contest in the first few minutes. 

 Lyla Stein does a great job of dictating the tempo and has a lot of weapons leaking up the floor. 

 The size of Lana McCarthy and Kate Allard down low will be a factor on the offensive glass and getting looks on post-ups. When these two post up you most likely are sending another defender down to help, leaving reliable shooters open on the outside

 

The Pick: The Bulldogs advance to the Final Four

 

 

#5 Salem at #4 Portsmouth

Box score of the first meeting: Portsmouth 54, Salem 32

My take: The Clippers have one of the most experienced groups left standing and that could play a role in the outcome of this game. 

 For Salem, getting in the passing lanes and getting out in transition is what helped them in their first round win over BG. Lilly George shook loose for a few shots from deep, but those looks were limited and difficult at that. 

 The free throw line was where the Blue Devils did a lot of their damage, so don't be surprised to see an aggressive approach from them to start this one. The stepback was effective, but don't expect Portsmouth to give her much room to work.

 Lindsay Goetz was everywhere on Tuesday night. When she is out running the break she gives this group a real boost of energy. 

 Avery Romps has turned into one of the best two-way players in the division and likely is assigned George or Goetz. If she can take one of them out of the game or limit them to the best of her ability that could play into how this one ends up. 

 Maddie MacCannell led the way with 18 points in the round one win over Nashua South. Controlling the paint and keeping Gabriella Mosto of the glass will be the task at hand for the senior center. 

 Margaret Montplaisir and Mackenzie Lombardi could help open this one up with their ability to score in bunches. 

 

The Pick: Salem will have a run in this one, but the Clippers take control on their home floor to head back to the semifinals.

 

 

#11 Alvirne at #3 Londonderry

Box score of the first meeting: Londonderry 44, Alvirne 27

My take: This could be the game of the quarterfinals. Rachel Allard played hero in the first round, sinking three free throws with no time left to lift the Broncos to a 50-49 win over Goffstown. 

 The key in this one will be to keep it low scoring and play a physical brand of basketball. 

 Londonderry has one of the best offenses in the division, so playing in a shootout, a pace the Lancers are more than happy playing at, will be something to avoid for Alvirne. 

 This game will be filled with guard-play from both sides as neither has true size. That said, a player like Regan Anderson can rebound well for Londonderry in this matchup.

 Ella Hartson might see a lot of Kate Sloper tonight, so working her off the ball and getting her open with screens and motion may be the best plan of attack. 

 Freshman Courtney Anderson has been tremendous all year with her inside-out play, and they will need her to play like an upperclassmen in this one. 

 It wouldn't hurt to have some more heroics from Allard either. The senior has been a calming presence for this group.

 As for Londonderry, they have the pieces to get out and run and play uptempo. 

 It is hard to gameplan for a player like Sammie Sullivan since she can take you off the dribble or back you down for an easy two. Alvirne may have to live with giving one area of the floor up to her.

 Brooke Eacrett and Gemma Murray can hurt you from deep and thrive off the open looks they get on most rotations.

 Whoever can dictate the tempo early will have a real advantage for the next three quarters.

 

The Pick: Alvirne will try and grind this one out, but the Londonderry offense will be too much to handle in the end. The Lancers advance.

 

 

#7 Dover at #2 Pinkerton

Box score of the first meeting: Pinkerton 66, Dover 47

My take: Outside of a 17-8 first quarter, Dover hung around with Pinkerton in their lone matchup back on January 26th. 

 Lilly Nossiff had a game-high 23 points in that one and the Green Wave will need a performance similar or even better.

 When Nossiff is rolling, this is a tough group to stop. Her size as always will be an advantage. There aren't many who can play her one-on-one, so expect Pinkerton to throw different looks at her.

 With a defense like we have seen from Pinkerton this season, the scoring outside of Nossiff may be the most important factor in this one. 

 Tory Vitko is a senior who has stepped up in big moments this year. If she can provide a boost on that end, or whether it be Olivia Rutland or freshman Avery Littlefield, they will need an extra punch on that side of the ball.

 A healthy Pinkerton team is a scary one, and with Syd Gerossie ready to go for a long playoff run, this team will be ready to go from the opening tap.

 Elizabeth Lavoie has shown the willingness to take and make jump shots even more this season and that only opens up lanes for her to attack the paint.

 Brooke Benz's play on the inside has been a difference-maker for this team. She has a nose for the basketball and creates second chances for this offense.

 It may be a joint effort between Benz, Alex White, and Kaylee Dupuis to keep Nossiff off the glass. There play in the paint could change the trajectory of this contest.

 The Astros have the firepower to make this high-scoring, but Dover has shown they can play at that pace if need-be.

 

The Pick: Pinkerton outlasts Dover to head to the Final Four.