Every year, we turn the semifinal previews over to the people who know these teams better than anyone, the head coaches who have gone up against them this season.

 We had three Division I head coaches break down the four teams and the two match-ups using blind quotes.

 We will have coverage of both games tonight as I will call the first game between Bedford and Nashua North with Patrick Cogan as our videographer.

 Pete Tarrier and Jennifer Chick Ruth will bring you coverage of Pinkerton vs Trinity.

 Our semifinal scouting report is brought to you by our longtime partners at Nashua Community College, who have an Open House from 5 to 7 pm tonight!

 Division I Tournament Bracket & Box Scores

 (1) Pinkerton Academy vs. (5) Trinity

 Box Score of the first meeting: Pinkerton 81, Trinity 61

 Two years ago, Tyler Bike and sophomore backcourt partner Devohn Ellis led the Trinity Pioneers to a semifinal win over Pinkerton on their way to the 2022 Division I title.

 The two teams will meet on the same floor tonight, this time with the Astros being the consensus favorite coming in.

 We asked three head coaches to break down both teams and the match-up, beginning with Mike Dunham's Pinkerton Astros.

 "It obviously starts with Jackson Marshall," said one of the coaches we spoke to. "He is nothing like we have seen in this division in the last fifteen years."

 "He has great hands/footwork and is also a knockdown shooter. Oh, and he's 6'9; how do you defend that?"

 "(Mike) Dunham has done a great job. They used to run a lot of the offense through elbow touches, but now they spread the floor and create an offense stacked with shooters."

" An old coaching saying is, 'Take advantage of your advantages.' They do that as well as anyone we have seen."

 A fellow coach also broke down the 18-1 Astros.

 "Mike (Dunham) has done a phenomenal job. He has a couple of quick-hitter plays they'll use, but he lets them play, and between Marshall, (Charlie) Ludden, and the (Drew & Cristian) Brander brothers, they are nearly unstoppable on offense."

 "Drew Brander played one of his best games of the season against Nashua South (in the quarterfinals). If they get that level of play from the guys around Marshall, I'm not sure who is beating them."

 "Charlie Ludden was just another guy last year, but now he is an all-state level player. He defends at a high level for them and has become a scoring threat over the second half of the season."

 "They have not been a good defensive team because they have not had to be. They simply outscore everyone, but it's there. Marshall was a force at the rim against Bedford, and now that we are to the final four, I'd anticipate that level of intensity from here on out."

 "Parker Bienvenue-Cernuda is a key part of their success," said an opposing coach. "You can call him underrated, but the coaches in the division appreciate his ability and how he can run that offense."

 What about the Trinity Pioneers?

 "Ray (Farmer) has done an outstanding job, as good as any coach in our division."

 "They play so hard, they are so aggressive, and they are very unselfish. Every night, a new guy is stepping up for them offensively, and when one guy goes down like Kevin Doherty, another player like Jordan Torres steps up."

 "They present a lot of problems with their defense because they change up their looks so often. You never get comfortable."

 "I have been so impressed by Devohn Ellis. He has really become a leader with Tyler now at prep school."

"He is unselfish and has tremendous instincts on the defensive end. He misses a tough layup against Dover in their first-round game, steals it back, and scores. He has such a nose for the ball. He's like a free safety in their defense."

 "I think Trinity will try and run with Pinkerton; they have to. They have scorers like Shawn O'Neil, Ellis, Torres, and Dunker, so play to your strengths. It will be critical that they turn Pinkerton over."

"They need transition points, easy baskets."

 "It will be a tough task because Pinkerton has such a size advantage on them. It magnifies the fact that Trinity is the smallest team in our division."

" They'll really pressure the ball to try to make the entry pass difficult and front Marshall in the post."

 "I love Ellis's ability as a defender on the perimeter, but do they lose that because he has to bang down low with Jackson Marshall? You don't want to lose him playing that center field spot in their pressure defense."

 "Ellis was good last year but is significantly better this season. He looks more engaged."

 "Nashua South did something smart against Pinkerton, whether intentionally or accidentally. They didn't try to grab the rebound with Marshall going for it; they slapped it away, and then it's a matter of who gets to the ball first. I think Trinity should incorporate that strategy."

 So who wins tonight?

" Pinkerton. They have too much size for Trinity."

 "Pinkerton comfortably."

 "I'm going with Trinity."

 

 (1) Bedford vs. (3) Nashua North

 Box Score of the first meeting: Bedford 81, Nashua North 76

 Steve Lane's Nashua North Titans are making their third consecutive trip to the final four to take on defending champion Bedford, whose only loss during the 2022-23 regular season came at Nashua North.

 We asked our head coaches to break down the teams and the match-up, beginning with Frank Moreno's Bulldogs.

 "The balance, speed, and unselfishness stand out about Bedford. They are very unselfish, and it starts with Luke Soden. You see his scoring numbers and could assume he is always looking for his shot, but he is an excellent passer willing to get everyone else involved."

 "Brady O'Connell is one of the best playmakers in our division. He's as good as anyone I've seen at getting into the paint and creating an open look for a teammate or finishing. He has a great awareness of the spacing on the floor."

 "One advantage both teams have is that when you face North or Bedford, it is impossible to replicate the speed and the intensity they will throw at you. They are both accustomed to that pace with them facing one another."

 "One strength of all four teams in the semifinals this year is' if you turn the ball over on them, it's two points. They are all converting, and they will do it quickly."

 "Bedford has changed up their defense. They were applying full-court pressure but switched to a half-court trap. The moment your guy steps over midcourt, they are trapping."

 "Alvirne was able to get a couple of lay-ups out of it (in the quarterfinals), but at the same time, they turned the ball over several times, and those turnovers are worth one or two easy baskets."

 "Niko Badoian has been tremendous for them, and Thomas Braga is a kid who could be a real difference-maker against North."

" Austin Kasyjanski thrives when he gets to the rim and goes downhill; all the pieces are there, and Frank does an excellent job of getting the right combination of players on the floor."

 "Luke is a phenomenal athlete. I read in the preview that he would be a more complete player this year, and he has been. He is a terrific defender and might be the best rebounder I've seen from the guard spot this season."

 What about Steve Lane's Titans?

 "Steve is a terrific coach. You never see North with a selfish player or anyone acting out. He has built a culture, and it's impressive to watch."

 "Parth (Miglani) is the player who stands out. He is so good at getting his shot off with a player closing out on him, and now he has that nice fadeaway in the paint. He's one of the best shooters in the state, without question."

 "Robinson Rodriguez was a problem for us when we played them. He's 6'5, runs the floor and protects the rim. He's a tough kid and very good."

 "Jaden Pena has a high motor, and his ability to score has taken some pressure off Parth."

 "Alize Roig Cortes played well against Bedford in the semifinals last year; he is someone Steve knows he can count on, and Luke Peters, that kid, is really good. He is underrated."

 "They play a lot of man defense, but they also will show a 2-3 zone or even 2-2-1 pressure."

 "Steve will pick out a player they want to double, and when he yells out a kid's name, that player runs over and traps. As a coach, you can't react quick enough; you have to tell your kids to listen for it."

 What are you expecting to see tonight when the two teams square off?

 "I like North's chances; they are fearless. I'm curious who they will put on Soden. My hunch is Luke Peters, but he will give up some size there."

 "Bedford is a little more susceptible to scoring trouble than last year when Aiden O'Connell would get to the rim and the foul line."

 "North will be fine with this being a track meet, and they can win."

  So, what are your predictions?

 "I'm going with Bedford."

 "Bedford in a very close one."

 "I'm going with Nashua North to win."