Friday night will be a big one around the state as Division IV hits the back end of their North/South cross-over games and in Division I we have a rematch of last March’s state championship game.

 We will bring you coverage of two games Friday night as Pete Tarrier & The Great Jon Kesty will be out in Hudson for Spaulding at Alvirne, as we get our first look at Marty Edwards’ team since the jamboree.

 Jennifer Chick-Ruth & I will be back in the Lakes Region as Inter-Lakes travels to Belmont in a Division III match-up.

 Saturday morning Pete Tarrier & I will re-cap every single game on the NH high school hoop show from 9 to 11 am. Details on how to listen to the show are at the bottom of the column.

 Congratulations to Andrew Cavanaugh of St Thomas, our Adrenaline Fundraising/Buffalo Wild Wings Player of the Week Poll winner after nearly 30,00 votes were cast in 36 hours. Look for five new candidates on Monday at noon. Andrew and the previous week’s winner Connor Buffum of Con Val will each be getting a Player of the Week shirt and a gift card to Buffalo Wild Wings.

 Andrew and his family are also our newest Gold Level members/supporters..speaking of which…

 Gold Level Coaches/Programs: Nate Stanton of Londonderry, Jay McKenna of Winnacunnet, Jeff Holmes of Exeter, Jim Migneault of Trinity, Jim Mulvey of Portsmouth, Marty Edwards of Alvirne, Rob McLaughlin of Salem, Mark Elmendorf of Bedford, Matt Fennessy of Dover, Dave Chase of Concord & Matt Regan of Bishop Guertin

 

 Division I

 Portsmouth (5-1) at Bedford (3-2)

 There was something to truly appreciate as a basketball lifer in watching the Portsmouth Clippers play the past two seasons.

 Every player seemed simpatico with the other and there was movement, precision, and fluidity on both ends of the floor. Whether it was Shon Parham & Joey Glynn executing a slip screen or Cody Graham & Christian Peete trapping a ball handler on the baseline with Parham lying in wait across the floor to pick off the pass to the weak side.

 You knew what we were watching was special and it was how you wished more teams played & executed.

 Early on in 2018, it is hard to find a team in the state that looks that cohesive on the floor. So teams are finding other ways to win, The Clippers are grinding out wins like a 45-42 decision over Spaulding on Tuesday night with grit & defense and little looks as it did 10 months ago in Durham.

 Alex Tavares (16.2 ppg.) is playing through a painful foot injury and Cody Graham (15.3 ppg.) has not fully recovered yet from his PCL surgery last March. Playing quarterback all fall set him back as far as his mobility on the floor this winter and although he’s smart enough to get by you, he lacks the quickness he had before the injury.

 Mike Sanborn is a knockdown shooter but teams are not allowing him open space on the floor, and he’s had to adjust by going to the rim far more than he did a year ago. Max Lincoln (6.8) has had good moments but he hasn’t stepped into a bigger role than being option #4. Calvin Hewitt is extremely smart out on the floor and maybe the team’s best passer but team’s know they can sag off him and muddle the paint for Graham & Tavares.

 So Portsmouth is grinding away, still near the top of the standings a third of the way through the season. The schedule will get much more difficult in February when they will play Exeter, Londonderry, Merrimack, Nashua South, Salem, Winnacunnet & Alvirne to close the season. Each of those teams at or above .500 today.

 Bedford is grinding away as well and getting through a very tough opening stretch of games. They have the personnel to give Tavares trouble (between Nolan Anderson and Nick Mokas, who likely gets the assignment).  Max Chartier has been very good and his brothers Chris & Steve have stepped into bigger roles and contributed as well.

 There will be a lot of familiar faces out on the floor from their last meeting on a Saturday afternoon last March but a different look and flow to this game. Style points will be in short supply as each team continues to find an identity.

 Either team will take a very good win and have no apologies for how they looked getting it done.

 

 Spaulding (1-5) at Alvirne (5-1)

 Yes, Spaulding is 1-5 and with upcoming games, at Alvirne and Manchester Central they could easily be 1-7 by the middle of next week.

 This is our 10th year of coverage on NHsportspage and if you asked me to rank the top Division I programs in that time off the top of my head (Portsmouth doesn't count they spent 8 years in Division II) I’d rattle off; Manchester Central, Trinity, Spaulding and Merrimack…with Winnacunnet & Bishop Guertin just outside that group.

 That’s how good Tim Cronin’s program has been and with three starters back from another semifinal team last year, it’s fair to ask, why are they off to such a slow start?

 First of all, they miss Cal Connelly, and not just the 18 ppg, but his leadership. Griffin Towle was another starter who did all the little things that helped you win and had a voice in those huddles. Arie Breakfield seems hesitant to take on a vocal role and fair enough it’s not everyone’s personality. Breakfield leads by effort and example. Isaiah Rose is still only a sophomore, so it may fall on Keagan Calero, one of the best baseball players in the state, to take on a more vocal role.

 Don’t underestimate the fact that this team doesn’t have a senior. There’s a sense of ‘ Hey, this could be my last time around and the next game I play after this might be in an empty gym in front of two kids from my dorm’  feel to seniors.

 They understand that three years went by in a flash and it’s time to slow down and take in the last leg of the journey.

 Spaulding also is missing that physical presence in the middle. A Charlie Nevejens-type who can push people around on the block and guard the perimeter as well.

 Spaulding is playing hard and they are in every game against a very tough early-season schedule. They’ll play six of their last nine games at home after the trip to Manchester next Tuesday and on the schedule in the second half are seven teams with a combined  5 wins.

 So count Spaulding out at your own peril. They’ll round into shape come February.

 A road win here though would be a statement win and if there is one strength this Spaulding team has it’s in its ability to guard the perimeter. Calero spent Tuesday night face guarding Cody Graham all over the Rochester Community Center and in Shane Hudson President Cronin has another capable perimeter defender who can cause havoc.

 We will have full coverage of this game and the team interview with the winner.

 

Gold Level Coaches/Programs: David Smith of Coe-Brown, Kieth Matte of Lebanon, Peter Pierce of Souhegan, Cole Etten of Hollis-Brookline, Jeff Baumann of Timberlane, Mike Larson of Pelham, Leo Gershgorin of Con Val, Nate Camp of Kearsarge, Mike Gasper of Goffstown & Lorne Lucas of Oyster River

 

Division II

Pembroke (3-2) at Timberlane (5-1)

 The Owls are starting to come together under Jeff Baumann and this would be a nice win for their resume.

 We are going to get our first look at Timberlane Tuesday night when they take on Pelham, and if you’re looking for a measuring stick of where you are in the Division II race these two games will tell a lot.

 Sam Hovan, Connor Schott, Matt Perry, Bob Horgan and Calvin Geisler are all averaging between 11.2 and 8 points per game. It’s a balance that allows Timberlane to run the ball through Horgan in the high post and find the best shot, regardless of who is taking it. Baumann feels like this is his best offensive team in his tenure as head coach and their depth allows them to pressure for 32 minutes.

 Pembroke is getting good scoring numbers from Jake Sherman (15.0 ppg.) and Noah Cummings as Sean Menard rounds back into form after an injury in the off-season.

 Head coach Rich Otis trusts Shea  Shackford with big minutes and the first year head coach is convinced that if this team evolves into one who can get fourth-quarter stops, they’re going to score enough points to win tournament games in March.

 

Gold Level Coaches/Programs: Eric Saucier of Conant, Mike Rathgeber of Inter-Lakes, Steve McDonough of Laconia, Jim Cilley of Belmont, Tom Bourdeau of Newfound, Jim Hill of Monadnock, Dave Morissette of Berlin & Greg Madore of Gilford Basketball

 

 Division III

 Somersworth (7-0) at Gilford (5-2)

 This is a big test for the alma mater…we already know what we have in Somersworth. They are a proven commodity.

 When I watch this Somersworth team play I see the team we invited to the jamboree to play Alvirne last summer. Not the team that limped in with a player suspension and Bryton Early in street clothes on a bad ankle. Early is making an effort to get everyone involved and there is no better closer in the division than our pre-season player of the year.

 Evan Gray (15.5) is putting together an all-state season and it’s a group playing for head coach Rob Fauci with a lot of confidence.

 Gilford seems to have turned the corner. They’ll be the first to tell you they didn't  play with enough energy out of the gate but the win over Berlin (The Mountaineers were short-handed but Gilford led by double digits throughout and looked very good in doing so….after 10 years of doing this….you know it when you see it.) was followed up by putting up 94 points on Franklin Tuesday night.

 Expect 6’1 Logan Bell to get the first crack at guarding Early. With 6’4 Greg Madore and  6’2 jumping-bean Adrian Siravo behind him, Bell has to run Early off the 3-point line and steer him towards the rim and his shot blockers.

 Early can and will finish in traffic but if you make him work for his points and earn it at the line it’s better than the momentum fueling 23 footers he is famous for.

 Ethan Johnson, Colby Grant, and Gray will match up with the Golden Eagles frontcourt and Somersworth has the experience & patience to get good looks against Gilford’s man to man defense.

 The key to this game will be in point guard Nate Hudson’s ability to navigate through the Hilltoppers three quarter court pressure and handling the swings this game is bound to have. Both teams can score in a hurry, the team that counters those runs wins the game.

 

 Gold Level Coaches/Programs: Mark Collins of Groveton, Nick Fiset of Epping, Jamie Hayes of Newmarket, Rob Bradley of Derryfield, Juan Croucier (Bassist) of Ratt, John Normandin of Mount Royal, Jay Darrah of Pittsfield, Trevor Howard of Littleton, Sean Young of Nute, Jamie Walker of Woodsville & Carl Anderson of Hinsdale

 

 Division IV

 Newmarket (7-1) at Groveton (6-2)

 Pittsfield (7-1) at Woodsville (6-2)

 Epping (4-3) at Littleton (6-2)

 The chances of another Pete Tarrier undefeated dance in March dwindles by the day as another undefeated goes down. Jamie Hayes’ Newmarket team was the latest as playing without starters Simon Cote & Travis Moseley (suspended for a violation of team rules) caught up to them in a loss to a good Derryfield team.

 The truth is there isn’t a dominant team in the division to be found, just a few very good ones.

 Woodsville has as good a starting five as any team in the division. What they seem to lack is the leader on the floor that they had two years ago with Derek Maccini. Someone who will command a team huddle before free throws and put guys in the right spot in the middle of play. Garrett Olsen is a very good offensive player, but his personality is more laid back than that of a fiery leader.

 Cooper Davidson is similar, an extremely nice kid who isn’t going to be the voice on the floor when things turn south.

 And that’s ok. You can win without it but in recent losses, Woodsville has lacked that voice out on the floor and on Friday night they’ll have to have it collectively or see someone emerge.

 You shouldn’t overreact to Pittsfield’s loss to Newmarket, Anthony Senesombath got Steph Curry level hot for one quarter and the Mules were the better team on that night. This is still a team very capable of winning it all, a win at Woodsville would go a long way towards proving that belief.

 It’s a great gym, but a tough one to come in and win in. Cam Darrah is going to find the floor smaller than he’s used to (he’s played there before in a tournament game two years ago) and if Josh Whittier isn’t the strongest big man in the division Cooper Davidson is. That will be a fun match-up to watch.

 Epping has a really good sophomore in Peyton Rivers. Much like his older brother Jackson he’s a player who can change the game with his work ethic and athletic ability.

 Peyton is going to be the real deal; a player capable of nightly double/doubles and someone who you funnel guards towards knowing that he can and will protect the rim.

 He’s also just a sophomore with seven varsity starts under his belt. He needs the same time to acclimate to the speed of the game that Jackson had at the same age. Give him time and you have another building block for Nick Fiset’s program.

 Here’s the problem……………Epping needs him now, like right now.

 They don’t rebound well enough to beat good teams and their offense is Hunter Bullock creating off the dribble and kicking to shooters when he’s walled off by the defense.

 It’s a team that can’t quite get over the hump against good teams (they have been right there until the end in home losses to Woodsville & Derryfield)  and is too one dimensional to win against an elite team on the road.

 Littleton feels and looks a year away, being led by sophomores sent me to that conclusion. Trevor Howard though hasn’t sat in the stands for a semifinal game at Plymouth since  2011 and I’m not betting against him now.

 If the Crusaders can earn a pair of home games with a Top 4 seed they are going to be a favorite to get back.

 Todd Krol-Corliss gives them a point guard that you can hand the keys to the offense to and feel comfortable about it.

 He makes good decisions, is a very good athlete and handles pressure out on the floor very well. Parker Briggs stretches the floor with his ability to knock down shots and against Woodsville the best player on the floor was Danny Kubkowski. All three are sophomores.

 Add in Jason Brammer, always steady, and Brody Fillion to knock people around in the paint and you have the pieces plus the head coach to get back to Plymouth State.

 That leaves the champs up in Groveton.

 They’re right about where we expected them at this point, with two losses coming against Pittsfield in the opener we covered and a two-point loss against White Mountains on a buzzer beater by Griffin Crane.

 They probably could have beaten White Mountains and probably should have lost to America’s Team the Lisbon Panthers last week…it usually evens out in the end.

 Groveton will be able to match up with the Newmarket bigs, but the depth of Jamie Hayes’ team, fortified by the suspensions giving other players the opportunity for major minutes, will be a challenge.

 You know what you are going to get from Austin Lesperance (18.6 ppg.) and Matt Mason (15.3 and he did not play Tuesday night against Lin-Wood) but can you get scoring out of Derek Rogers off the bench or from an emerging Josh Wheelock?

 These crossover games give you a unique perspective of the division and the power rankings as we near the midpoint.

 For each team it serves a different purpose; Epping is looking to get back on its feet after a loss to Raymond, Newmarket wants to sweep their Littleton/Groveton cross overs, Woodsville can prove they are a better defensive team than they showed at Littleton, Pittsfield wants to get a very big road win & remind you that they haven’t gone anywhere and are still the team to beat and Littleton wants every coach in the division to wake up Saturday morning saying, ‘ Man they’re going to get two home games in the playoffs again come March..’

 

 The New Hampshire High School Hoops Show returns Saturday morning at 9:07 am. Pete Tarrier & Dave Haley re-cap every game from the Friday night schedule while covering all four divisions. We’ll have two coaches on the show every week and you can listen in right here on our homepage by clicking the LISTEN LIVE BUTTON. The show airs every week during the season on 99.9 FM & 1370 WFEA radio in the Manchester area or listen for FREE on the TuneIn Radio App.

 Our guests on Saturday will be Jamie Hayes of Newmarket and Lorne Lucas of Oyster River