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The NHTI Girls Basketball Thursday Thoughts for 1/23/2025

By Lance Legere, 01/23/25, 6:00AM EST

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Peyton Vaughn and Bow come in at #7 (photo by Chip Griffin)

 It is a Division I and II-only edition of Thursday Thoughts as we recap and break down the last week of action and look at where the contenders stand in these two divisions. 

 Mid-season snapshots for Division III and IV will be up on Friday.

  Today's column is brought to you by our friends and partners at NHTI!

 

Division I

Division I Standings and Scoring Leaders

Gold Level Coaches/Programs: Kevin Gibbs of Bedford, Ricky Oliver of Salem, Nate Bracy of Goffstown, Kaylene Rogers of Exeter, Lani Buskey of Pinkerton, Lauren Gaudette of Manchester Memorial, and Frank Girginis of Alvirne

1. Bedford: Kate Allard has continued to score the ball at an efficient rate, averaging 20.6 points per game in her last three contests. The Bulldogs are a perfect 9-0 and don't seem to be slowing down anytime soon.

2. Londonderry: Sammie Sullivan joined the Lancer 1,000 point club with 22 points in a 77-31 win over Goffstown on Tuesday. This red-hot Londonderry offense has yet to score below 60 points this season, something to watch as their schedule ramps up over the next few weeks.

3. Pinkerton: The Astros went on the road and held a good Keene team to just 31 points. The defense has shown up when they have needed it most this season, and the offense certainly showed behind a season-best 21 points from Kaylee Dupuis. Their attention now turns to Salem for a big Friday night showdown in Division I. 

4. Windham: The Jaguars have inserted themselves into contender status in this Divison and now with a week to prep for top dog Bedford, we will see what this group is really made of. Windham has the perimeter play led by Meghan Husson and Lilah Boucher to compete with a team like Bedford, but ball security will be priority number one with the defense they are about to take on.

5. Concord Christian: Winners of three straight, CCA welcomes Keene to town on Friday night. When it comes to scoring, both sides feature some of the best with Emma Smith and Lilli Carlile leading the way for the Kingsmen. They have started to get it going over the last few weeks and have Concord Christian feeling comfortable in Division I. 

6. Salem: The Blue Devils have responded with 72 and 73 point performances against Keene and Nashua South, but they certainly hope they saved some points for a big one with Pinkerton on Friday. Salem can play an up and down game, but it is hard for most teams to outscore a team like Pinkerton. Can this Salem defense clamp down and make this a dog fight? We shall find out.

7. Exeter: The Blue Hawks will travel to Bishop Guertin tonight in what could be a pivotal game in terms of seeding. We have seen this Exeter group win the games they are supposed to and compete with the teams in front of them, but now they have an opportunity for a marquee win.

8. Bishop Guertin: The same can be said for the Cardinals, who at 4-3 could use a momentum changing win. They took care of business against Dover in a 65-19 victory in a game that saw Holly Dufoe and Maggie Gallagher both erupt for 16 points. The pieces are there for Bishop Guertin to move up the ladder, so tonight could be the start of a big run.

9. Portsmouth: The Clippers continue to surge, winners of four straight as they prepare to take on Nashua South on Friday night. Bridget Emery is starting to play very consistent basketball averaging 18.5 points a night in her last two games.

10. Keene: Keene finds themselves on a two game skid as they prepare for a trip to Concord Christian on Friday. This stretch of the schedule on paper looked like it was going to be a tough one, and being held to a season low in points in the last two games (39 and 31) has shown just that. This is still a team getting experience in these big games, but they have the framework to matchup with a team like the Kingsmen. If they can give them a good game that should have this group feeling a bit better heading into next week.

 

Division II

Division II Standings and Scoring Leaders

Gold Level Coaches/Programs: Dan O'Rourke of Hanover, Bryan Wall of Oyster River, Joe Vachon of Coe-Brown, and Greg Cotreau of Souhegan

1. Derryfield: The Cougars lone game of the week comes on the road at Souhegan as Derryfield looks to remain unbeaten at 8-0. The balanced scoring attack was on full display against John Stark last Friday with Tia Ferdinando and Bre McCabe both going for 15 points and Anna Fazelat chipping in with 14 points of her own. This team has a lot of ways to beat you, and not many teams have been able to beat that challenge just yet.

2. Laconia: It is a one game week for the unbeaten Sachems as well as they go an take on a pesky 5-3 Plymouth team on Friday night. This Laconia team has a real toughness to it and their ability to finish games late has stood out so far.

3. Milford: The Spartans take a four game winning streak into a Friday showdown with Oyster River. The Spartans have five players on the floor who can score at a high rate, but are all unselfish. This team works for the best look possible and can wear out opposing defenses. We will see if this balanced attack can contain the visiting Bobcats.

4. Pembroke: The Spartans had a great fourth quarter comeback to take down Oyster River on the road 60-55 last Friday. Kate Stephens continues to lead the charge, coming off a season-best 24 points in the victory last week.

5. Oyster River: The Bobcats have found themselves in a lot of tight games already, some have gone their way, others have not, and now they may be in store for another good one with Milford on Friday. Olvia Andersen is coming off her best scoring night of the year when she scored 28 points against Pembroke. She has been pouring it on lately along with all-state guard Vivian O'Quinn. It is early, but this is another playoff-like game for the Bobcats, let's see if they can get it done on the road.

6. Pelham: The Pythons put together one of their best performances of the year in a 62-29 win over Souhegan behind 22 points from Grace Riley and 14 points from Sophia Guinazzo. The Python one-two punch will need another strong performance as they travel to Merrimack Valley this evening. The Pride are one of the lone teams who have some size that can matchup with Pelham. This will be an interesting box score to look out for.

7. Bow: The Falcons pushed Laconia to the brink on Friday, and did so short handed as they are without Bry Szepan in the lineup still. With a week to get healthy and prepare, they will look to get back in the win column at John Stark on Friday night.

8. Merrimack Valley: Kayla Smith is coming off her best scoring night of the season so far with 26 points in a 55-12 get right win over ConVal. The focus shifts to Pelham, who has size and physicality, something Merrimack Valley can contend with. The Pride are due for a big one, and this is a prime opportunity for one on their home floor.

9. Hollis-Brookline: Anika Carlson, Samantha Disco, and Ana O'Donnell combined for 40 points in a 56-42 win over John Stark to get back in the win column. They will have a week to prepare for a trip to Souhegan as the Cavaliers try and continue to move up the Division II standings.

10. Coe-Brown: The Bears have won two straight and will look to continue their winning ways with Division I Timberlane coming to town tonight. Emma Lapierre has been instrumental in the success of Coe-Brown this season, averaging 17 points during the winning streak, including a season high 21 points in the win over Kingswood.

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