As we will do every Thursday, we return with our first Thursday Thoughts column of the year to break down the contenders and top ten rankings in all four divisions.

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

 Make sure to check out their open house on Thursday, January 15th, from 4-6 pm.

 

Division I

Division I Standings, Box Scores, and Scoring Leaders

Gold Level Coaches/Programs: Kevin Gibbs of Bedford, Nate Bracy of Goffstown, Kaylene Rogers of Exeter, Frank Girginis of Alvirne, Todd Steffanides of Windham, Lauren Gaudette of Manchester Memorial, and Cameron Owen of Trinity

1. Bedford: The champs are off to a 3-0 start, and the emergence of sophomore Juliet Laws has been the biggest development so far, averaging 13 ppg to start the season. Mel McCarthy has played in just one contest due to injury, but this team has not skipped a beat, with its depth being tested early on.

2. Londonderry: Londonderry is off to a 5-0 start, including impressive wins over out-of-state foes Wachusett (63-54) and Bishop Feehan (41-34). Sammie Sullivan leads the division in scoring at 23 ppg and will look to keep that momentum going when they face Bedford next Tuesday.

3. Concord Christian: CCA has looked dominant through five games, holding opponents to just 31.7 points per game. Emma (21.4 ppg) and Kate (9.2 ppg) Smith have been two-way forces for the Kingsmen, and the addition of Brynn Valliant (10.2 ppg) has added a much-welcomed boost to their offensive attack. Sophia Capsalis (9.4 ppg) has not shown much rust in her return injury and has fit right in with this group.

4. Nashua South: The Purple Panthers are off to a 5-0 start and came out of the break and earned a terrific 60-35 win over Keene. Add in another strong win over Pinkerton (58-53), and this group has a great resume to start the year. Nicole De Jesus (13.4 ppg) has looked even better after her all-state campaign a year ago. The return of Maggie Gallagher (10.8 ppg) has been an impactful one on both ends of the floor. A matchup with Trinity this evening will be one to watch.

5. Salem: Jess Robinson has this new-look Salem team off to a 5-0 start. Morgann Raskow (11 ppg) and Shae O'Laughlin (10 ppg) have led a balanced offensive attack for the Blue Devils. The strength of schedule takes a massive uptick with Concord Christian awaiting them next Tuesday.

6. Exeter: After a 0-2 start, the Blue Hawks have rattled off four straight wins. We got a chance to see this group turn around a first-quarter deficit against Pinkerton and go on to control the next three quarters. Lexy Rogers (13.3 ppg) and Jessica Melick (12 ppg) have been integral to this group's success, and they will try to make it five straight wins when they visit rival Dover on Friday.

7. Windham: The Jaguars are off to a strong 4-1 start with a fairly new rotation under head coach Todd Steffanides. Rileigh Finneran (14 ppg) has looked the part of a primary scoring option, and Liz Grasso (12 ppg) has been a contributor on both ends of the floor. A big test awaits when they travel to Concord Christian on Friday.

8. Keene: The Blackbirds are off to a 3-1 start, and Harper Zalaski (21 ppg) has been on a blistering scoring stretch to begin the season. A 24-11 third quarter against South was the difference in their loss right out of the break. A goal for head coach Ryan Margaitis in the preseason was to compete and try and beat the teams ahead of them in the standings. That loss will be something this group tries to learn from as they turn their attention to Concord on Friday.

9. Portsmouth: The biggest question mark for Portsmouth coming into the season was on the offensive end. Through five games, they have averaged 50.8 ppg, and Jenna Lucy (11.8 ppg), Jolie Robichaud (10.0 ppg), and Leiana Cory (9.8 ppg) have all contributed to success on that side of the ball. They will look to keep building upon that success when they take on Alvirne this Friday.

10. Trinity: The Pioneers have had an up-and-down 2-2 start, but this team is on the right track. Addison Moynihan (11.8 ppg) has had a terrific start to the season, and Lily Ferdinando (7.5 ppg) seems to have taken a leap from last season. A 44-42 loss to BG is a quality one if you want to look at it that way. How they play on the road at South tonight will tell a lot about where this young group stands in this division at this point in the year.

 

Division II

Division II Standings, Box Scores, and Scoring Leaders

Gold Level Coaches/Programs: Greg Cotreau of Souhegan, Dan O'Rourke of Hanover, Bryan Wall of Oyster River, Bob McNutt of Merrimack Valley, Jason Riley of Pelham, Joe Vachon of Coe-Brown, and Dave Cummings of Pembroke

1. Pembroke: The Spartans have looked the part of a preseason #1 so far, jumping out to a 5-0 start under first-year head coach Noah Cummings. The schedule to start has been a challenging win, but an opening night win over Derryfield (43-36), and quality wins over Hollis-Brookline (59-30) and Pelham (59-34) have put Pembroke above the rest so far. Kate Stephans (15.4 ppg) has picked up where she left off from an all-state first team season a year ago, and Ava Strazzeri (9.8 ppg) has been an x-factor for this group so far.

2. Derryfield: The Cougars had to claw back and win a thriller over Bow 32-30, on Tuesday night in a game we covered. Anna Fazelat (9.5 ppg) knows how to get the ball in the right spots for this team and did a great job of getting the ball inside to Emma Sloper and Ella Laflamme (8.0 ppg), who had 10 and 16 points, respectively, in that contest. Holly Dufoe's (14.5 ppg) outside shooting adds another layer to this team that will make them dangerous as the season goes on. They will need to rest up for a big one against Coe-Brown on Friday.

3. Merrimack Valley: Just as head coach Bob McNutt suspected in the preseason, it has been a balanced and efficient offensive attack for the Pride through four games. Sophomore point guard Emma McNutt (14.8 ppg) has taken a jump in year two, and a Jada Lucas and Izzy Navoy led-defense has helped hold opponents to just 18 points per game so far. A marquee matchup with Milford awaits in a game we are covering this Friday.

4. Coe-Brown: The Bears were able to avenge an overtime loss they had to Souhegan at The Bash with an overtime victory this time around in the regular season, 52-49. Emma Lapierre (17.2 ppg) has been a force to be reckoned with to start the year, and will try and lead her group to a road victory at Derryfield on Friday.

5. Bow: The Falcons put up an impressive fight against Derryfield on Tuesday night. Peyton Vaughn (16.0 ppg) is the motor for this group. Her outside shooting ability is key, but she does a great job getting in the lanes and scoring easy baskets in transition. Bella Berg brings intimidating shot-blocking ability as only a freshman. Fellow freshmen Celia Roberge and Kyleigh Duval will be factors on the perimeter for this team for years to come. That is a loss that will only help this team down the road.

6. Milford: The dynamic backcourt of Shea Hansen (23.0 ppg) and Lexi Bausha (10 ppg) led the way in a 46-29 opening night victory over Kingswood. With just one game under their belt, it is hard to get a gauge on this group, but we will get our first look at the Spartans when they take on Merrimack Valley on Friday night.

7. Pelham: The second half got away from the Pythons in their lone loss of the season so far to Pembroke (59-34). Grace Riley (13.8 ppg) and Sophia Guinazzo (11.2 ppg) have been the one-two punch we have seen them be the last two seasons, and Jessica Phillips (7.8 ppg) gives Pelham a decisive two-way player on the floor at all times. Division I Timberlane should be a good test for this group to try and get back in the win column this evening.

8. Oyster River: Oyster River is 4-0 in Division II play, with their only loss of the season coming to Division I Timberlane in a competitive back-and-forth contest (64-55). Ashling Ferris (15.2 ppg) has taken the keys and run with them so far as the point guard for the Bobcats. Payton Drapeau (8.8 ppg) has continued her strong play from the end of last season, while Wren Horne (9.4 ppg) has been a lethal outside shooter, along with Jazzy Alvarez (8.2 ppg), who has been a bright spot for the Bobcats so far.

9. Souhegan: The Sabers were crowned champions of The Bash over the break, defeating Division III Prospect Mountain in the title game. This was a great stretch for a young team still gelling together. Nayaa Dineshkumar (7.2 ppg) and Mariella Dart had a great tournament, and the hope is that their play can translate to the regular season. After a grind-it-out 32-31 win on Tuesday, the Sabers will try and make it two wins in a row when they visit ConVal on Friday.

10. Hollis-Brookline: After a 0-3 start, the Cavaliers have rattled off two in a row. Ana O'Donnell (11.4 ppg) erupted for a season-high 25 points in a 42-24 win over Sanborn. Not many teams had a tougher schedule to start the year, with Oyster River, Pelham, and Pembroke all before the holiday break. HB will look to keep their winning ways going when they take on Bishop Brady this Friday.

 

Division III

Division III Standings, Box Scores, and Scoring Leaders

Gold Level Coaches/Programs: Steve Lavolpicelo of Kearsarge, Chris Foss of White Mountains, Zach Snow of St. Thomas Aquinas, Matt Baird-Torney of Fall Mountain, Pierre Doda of Inter-Lakes, Scott Currier of Gilford, Tom Bourdeau of Raymond, and Mike Mahoney of Hopkinton

1. Fall Mountain: The Wildcats made a real impression at our jamboree with their victory over Division II Pelham. This team has rolled to a 4-0 start, and point guard Sophia Grillone (11.8 ppg) has helped lead the charge so far. The depth of this group has looked good to start, and they will need everyone ready to go when they face rival Stevens on Friday.

2. Prospect Mountain: It has been nothing short of a dominant start for the Timberwolves, averaging 71.5 points per game amidst a perfect 4-0 start. The transition to Division III has been a seamless one for Kourtney Kaplan, as she leads the division in scoring at 24.0 ppg. Berlin visits on Monday in what should be a big test for both squads.

3. Hopkinton: Hopkinton is off to a 6-0 start and has looked like a true contender. Lexi Korbet (11.5 ppg) has been a welcome addition for the Hawks, who have shown their roster is deep and versatile. A different player seems to step up every night for this group. Their 40-35 win over Kearsarge has been the highlight for this team so far, and they will get a much-anticipated rematch with the Cougars on Monday.

4. White Mountains: The Spartans are 5-0 in Division III play, with their two losses coming to Division IV powerhouses Littleton and Groveton. White Mountains was able to contain Berlin on Monday night and had a strong showing from Olivia Lorenz (7.9 ppg) with a team-high 10 points. Harper Rowe (10.3 ppg) is back in the lineup healthy, and Alyana Whipple (10.3 ppg) has been a difference-maker early in the year and a surprise spark for this group.

5. Berlin: Offense was hard to come by for the Mountaineers in their lone loss to White Mountains (35-28). Despite that, this team has had a strong 5-1 start to the year, fueled by an all-state level start from Caitlin Kelley (20.7 ppg). A trip to rival Gorham awaits on Friday as Berlin tries to get back in the win column before a big test on the road at Prospect Mountain next Monday.

6. St. Thomas Aquinas: The Saints are off to a 5-0 start under head coach Zach Snow. While the offense is not as explosive as it was a season ago, this new look rotation has found real chemistry to start the year. Emma Toriello (17.0 ppg) has found her stride offensively and will try and help her team get win number six when they face Newfound on Friday.

7. Gilford: A 49-48 overtime loss to White Mountains is the lone blemish on the record for Scott Currier's Golden Eagles. This team's youth has not shown thus far, as they have stepped up to the challenge and filled out a competitive rotation. Skye Maltais (12.5 ppg) has scored the ball at a high level to start the season, and the same can go for Addison Hodson (10.2 ppg) and Taylor Marsh (8.7 ppg). Berlin comes to town next Tuesday in what will be a fun chess match between the two sides.

8. Kearsarge: The Cougars are off to a 3-2 start behind a terrific start to the year from Naimah Wilson (17.4 ppg). The two losses came to quality opponents in Fall Mountain (46-32) and Hopkinton (40-35). They have shown they have the pieces to compete with the teams ahead of them in the standings. Madden Huff poured in 17 points to fend off Mascoma Valley 35-28, and she will try and continue that trend when they face off with Raymond on Friday.

9. Raymond: The Rams are off to an impressive 4-1 start and now will prep for a big test against Kearsarge on Friday. Meadow-Miah Mitchell (15.6 ppg) has looked like an all-state player once again to start the year, and the return of Sophie Huynh (8.8 ppg) and Claire Michalak (7.4 ppg) have given this group more scoring and much-needed depth.

10. Monadnock: The Huskies are 3-1 to start to year with their lone loss coming by just one point against Gilford (39-38). Marlee Carroll-Clough (15.8 ppg) has been a focal point on the offensive end for Monadnock and has been up for the challenge with whatever defenses throw at her. Newport visits on Friday night with the Huskies looking for a second consecutive win.

 

 

Division IV

Division IV Standings, Box Scores, and Scoring Leaders

Gold Level Coaches/Programs: Derek Tremblay of Mount Royal, Jamie Walker of Woodsville, Duane Call of Colebrook, Larry Casale of Epping, Dale Prior of Littleon, Joseph Williams of Holy Family, and Tim Haskins of Groveton

1. Groveton: The Eagles have had no issue with having a target on their back. Their average margin of victory in their 6-0 start is 35.7 points. Delaney Whiting (15.0 ppg) has done a great job leading this group and keeping them focused. Freshman Luci Garcia (12.5 ppg) has already looked like a reliable scoring option for the Eagles. Her addition to the lineup has been a seamless one. A championship rematch looms with Littleton on Friday.

2. Newmarket: The Mules have looked like one of the best teams in Division IV so far. They have started the regular season 7-0, with their most recent win coming over Division III Raymond (48-27), and won the Oyster River Holiday Tournament, which included a title game win over Division I Spaulding. This team has gotten valuable experience already and has one of the best one-two punches in the division with Amaya Beckles (16.3 ppg) and Kiara Rugora (14.3 ppg).

3. Colebrook: The Mohawks were able to defeat rival Groveton in their holiday tournament, and that is a win that could be a real confidence boost for a group that is already undefeated at 5-0. Haley Rossitto (24.4 ppg) leads the division in scoring and pumped in 19 points to get by rival Pittsburg-Canaan on Wednesday night (49-37). Their attention now shifts to a motivated Woodsville team on Friday night.

4. Littleton: The Crusaders have a regular-season loss on their resume for the first time in what feels like forever for this program. Woodsville came into Littleton before the break and took down their rival 35-32, a game that will surely be used as fuel for the remainder of the season. Leah Poulton has been off to a blistering start offensively (17.3 ppg), and Addison Pilgrim (11.2 ppg) has been off to a similar start herself. Ella Horsch (9.5 ppg) is the lone size this team has, and figuring out how to navigate that has been the goal early on in the year. This is still a dangerous group, and they will put that to the test when they travel to rival Groveton on Friday.

5. Farmington: The Tigers have stormed out to a 6-0 start. Their defense was able to hold PCA in check on Wednesday in a 47-37 victory for their second win of the new year.

6. Woodsville: The Engineers have looked like a different team than the one we saw on opening night at Newmarket. A marquee road victory over rival Littleton (35-32) is a great win for this group to have on their resume. We have seen them struggle to score at times, but their defense has been able to keep them in a lot of these games. Makayla Walker (13.9 ppg) looks like a much more aggressive player than the one we saw a season ago, and Katie Houston (11.7 ppg) has been a spark plug scorer for this group. A trip to Colebrook on Friday is another big early-season test for Jamie Walker's squad.

7. Portsmouth Christian: The Eagles are 3-2 with a good road test at Mount Royal on Friday. Ava Buchanan (21.6 ppg) has been in the middle of everything this team is trying to accomplish offensively, and Zuri Petlick (12.0 ppg) has been a very reliable secondary scoring option. Putting together a consistent stretch of play will be key for PCA these next few weeks.

8. Pittsburg-Canaan: The Yellow Jackets have won the games they are supposed to win and have hung around with the teams ahead of them in the standings. That is how they find themselves at 3-2. Alyvia Jaimes (15.6 ppg) is off to another strong start, while Sienna Grondin (9.8) has created havoc on the glass with a more expanded offensive game this year. This team is always sneaky and will try and get back in the win column at Lin-Wood on Friday.

 9. Holy Family: The Griffins are 3-2 without a big part of their rotation, in Lizkenza Yonkeu a part of the equation just yet. Ryenn Pedone (21.6 ppg) has been a premier scorer once again to start this season and is keeping this group going on the offensive end of the floor. Mascenic will come to town on Friday for Holy Family's first game of 2026.

10. Mount Royal: Mount Royal is off to a strong 5-1 start and are winners of four straight. This group wants to prove they can be a threat come postseason time, and an early-season test with PCA coming to town is a great way to try and earn a marquee win. Lucy Treece (23.3 ppg) has been one of the best scorers in the division and will go head-to-head with the leading scorer in the division, Ava Buchanan, in a big one Friday night.