As we do every year, we will examine each division at the halfway mark with all-state and coach and player-of-the-year picks.
Today we will take a look at Division I as they sit at the midway point.
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The teams I could see winning the championship in March: Bedford, Londonderry, Pinkerton
These three came in as the title favorites to start the year and at the midway point have looked the part.
Bedford still feels a step above the rest of the division, and with their closest win coming by a total of 13 points, they are on a mission to repeat.
Kate Allard has taken charge of the offense in the month of January and when she is scoring 18-20 points this team feels even tougher to beat.
Sarah Muir and Annie Zink are the best defensive backcourt in the division and they can single-handedly change a game with their defense and ability to take opposing guards out of the game.
Mel McCarthy has gotten better as the weeks have gone on in her new role. She is still hitting her stride and could be the x-factor in the postseason.
The Lancers' schedule will have a playoff-like feel over the next few weeks, starting with Pinkerton on Friday.
To this point, their offense has been able to overwhelm opponents. They feel they can win a shootout with a team like Pinkerton, just as Pinkerton feels they can win a shootout with Londonderry.
The team who can tap into their defense more down the stretch will be the one who has a shot at the title.
Sammie Sullivan is a proven playoff performer and can erupt for 30 on any given night.
Brooke Eacrett is a year older and more confident as an individual scorer this season. Pairing her strong play along with the emergence of Gemma Murray will help this team win games late in the year.
With the attention they draw, a player like Mia Giampa who will hurt you if left open, can thrive in a playoff-like atmosphere.
Reagan Anderson can change the game with her intangibles. The box score may not show it every night, but Anderson is a key cog in the Lancer Express.
Pinkerton has been knocking on the door. They were runner-ups a season ago, and have been to the Final Four with this core the last few seasons, but this is the year they feel they have a real chance.
Syd Gerossie is a big game player and is as clutch as they come. If needed, she can will this team to a win in the playoffs. Her scoring and playmaking rise up a level this time of year.
When Brooke Benz scores it is efficient and effective. Her hustle lifts this team in spots when they need it most, especially on the defensive end.
Kaylee Dupuis can hurt you from anywhere on the floor. When she is clicking, this team becomes unguardable at times. She can face up and score on the perimeter or take you to the low block and get easy buckets. Her scoring will be needed down the stretch.
Mia Marshall was expected to play a role off the bench, but she has given this team even more than what was expected coming into the season. She can hit open shots and has found a role within the Astro offense.
Emily Leonard and Hayden Leccese will need to bring the famous Lani Buskey dirt dog mentality to the postseason.
Getting stops will be the main focus for this group come playoff time.
Windham looms as a threat in the playoffs as they are in line for a top-four seed potentially.
Meghan Husson was one of the lone sources of offense in their 65-40 loss to Bedford. She has shown she can score when this team needs her most, and her play on both ends of the floor will be counted on in order for the Jaguars to make a run.
Rileigh Finneran has been a spark plug and feels like a player who can thrive in big moments.
Lilah Boucher and Avery Steffanides bring balance to a Windham lineup that has been sound on the defensive end, and their contributions have been impactful on that side of the basketball to go along with the ability to score in double figures.
Concord Christian is no stranger to playoff basketball, and they find themselves in the mix for two home playoff games potentially and bring a lot of experience to the floor.
Lilli Carlile and Emma Smith create the bulk of the offense for this team. They have a knack for getting to the basket and making the right reads. If they are rolling, this team has a chance to get to the Final Four.
Salem got meaningful playoff experience last year and feel they have the team to compete into March.
Lily George can get you a basket when you need one and Lindsay Goetz and Ella Mosto are going to be impactful for all 32 minutes.
Bishop Guertin is starting to figure things out as of late with solid wins over Dover, Exeter, and Salem.
Holly Dufoe can hit threes in the blink of an eye and has found a good rhythm over the last two weeks.
Kayden Rioux has been a part of three championship teams and her presence will be felt in the postseason.
The Cardinals along with Salem, Concord Christian, and Windham are still in the mix depending on where they finish up in the regular season.
The dark horse team that could make a run: Exeter
With how this team scores and can get up and down, the Blue Hawks have a shot to make a run past the quarterfinals.
Anna McGuinness and Lexy Rogers have played at an all-state level, and the same can be said about their swiss army knife Karli Scherpf.
The addition of Emma Gillis gives this group another dimension on the offensive end as well.
Exeter can score in bunches and will need that along with more consistent defensive play to have a chance to go deep.
The lower seed that could pull a first-round upset: Dover, Nashua South
Lilly Nossiff is a matchup problem for most teams, and we have seen her have big performances in the playoffs before.
Dover has had an up-and-down year, but have a chance in the second half to get back on track and play spoiler in the postseason.
Avery Littlefield has taken a real leap as well and can be the creator on the perimeter this team will need late in the year.
Nashua South quietly sits at 6-5 and has wins over teams like Alvirne and Portsmouth.
They have taken care of business when needed, but have hung around with some of the top teams in the division.
Jaynilies De Jesus has burst onto the scene as a dynamic offensive weapon for the Purple Panthers. Her play has given this team a real boost on that end.
Defensively this team knew they could be successful, but De Jesus has expanded their offensive potential.
Addison Borden and Karina O'Donnell have had quality seasons so far and help make Nashua South a fun round-one opponent.
Mid-Season First Team All-State
Kate Allard of Bedford
Sammie Sullivan of Londonderry
Sydney Gerossie of Pinkerton
Lilli Carlile of Concord Christian
Lily George of Salem
Lilly Nossiff of Dover
Mid-Season Second Team All-State
Meghan Husson of Windham
Gemma Murray of Londonderry
Emma Smith of Concord Christian
Bridget Emery of Portsmouth
Brooke Benz of Pinkerton
Sarah Muir of Bedford
Mid-Season Player of the Year: Kate Allard of Bedford
Mid-Season Coaches of the Year: Todd Steffanides of Windham
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