Though the top squads remained solidified in this week’s NHIAA boys’ basketball rankings, the bottom half of the top 10 had its biggest shakeup of the season.
The most notable new addition is Alvirne, which entered the year with moderate expectations but has continued stacking up wins in Division 1.
Manchester West, one of two remaining unbeatens in Division 2, also entered the rankings for the first time.
With the regular season now past the halfway mark, here is our latest Top 10.
1. Portsmouth (10-0)
Previous rank: 1
Next game: vs. Keene, Jan. 30, 6:30 p.m.
The dominant performances keep piling up for the Clippers, who have won their last four games by over 20 points each. It hasn’t just been sophomore Derek Swartz (16.4 points per game) and senior Isaiah Reis (14.2 points per game) propelling the scoring, with sophomore Finn McCauley leading the team with 14 points in last Tuesday’s win over Spaulding and sophomore Damien Sanu pacing all scorers with 16 points in a win over Manchester Memorial. With a mix of the state’s best top-end talents and quality depth, expect Portsmouth to keep on rolling.
2. Bedford (11-0)
Previous rank: 2
Next game: vs. Goffstown, Jan. 30, 8 p.m.
The path to remaining unbeaten hasn’t come quite as easily to Bedford, but quality execution in crunch time has kept the team on pace with Portsmouth. The Bulldogs’ most notable win in recent weeks was a 56-53 triumph over No. 8 Exeter, whom they trailed after three quarters but rallied to outscore 17-11 in the final frame. Senior guards Landon Ellsmore and Logan O'Connell led the way against Exeter with 16 points and 11 points, respectively, and both are averaging north of 13 points.
3. Trinity (8-2)
Previous rank: 3
Next game: vs. Alvirne, Jan. 30, 6:30 p.m.
Trinity has hit its stride with a seven-game win streak in January, highlighted by a 52-43 victory over No. 8 Exeter last Tuesday. Junior Jordan Torres (15.8 points per game) has found his scoring groove, posting 22 points in the Exeter win and 24 points in Friday’s blowout victory over Nashua North. Seniors Jamar Gregory-Alleyne and Kevin Doherty have also stepped up to provide the Pioneers with additional depth, with both reaching double figures in a 67-50 win over Merrimack on Jan. 16.
4. Bishop Guertin (8-3)
Previous rank: 4
Next game: vs. Merrimack, Jan. 30, 6:30 p.m.
The Cardinals have rattled off six consecutive wins since losing to Trinity on Jan. 6, including quality victories over No. 5 Pinkerton on Jan. 13 and No. 8 Exeter on Jan. 23. Senior Connor McGowan (26 points per game) continues to set the pace as the leading scorer in Division 1, using a mix of elite shooting range and crafty finishing despite his 5-foot-11 frame. In addition to fellow star backcourtmate Eli Youssef (14 points per game), junior Luca Fabrizio has emerged as a strong scoring option, posting 15 points in a win over Dover and 10 points in the Exeter win.
5. Pinkerton (7-2)
Previous rank: 5
Next game: at Alvirne Jan. 28, 6:30 p.m.
The Astros have only played twice since the last edition of these rankings: A 77-56 road win over Manchester Central, and a 71-54 road victory against Keene. Pinkerton trailed Keene 31-26 at halftime, but pulled away late behind 25 points from sophomore Josh Phanor and 22 points from senior Wilson Youssef. That’s a strong sign that Pinkerton can find ways to win tough games without having its scoring efforts led by senior Brady Sullivan, who posted 12 in the Keene win and is averaging over 18 points.
6. Hollis-Brookline (10-0)
Previous rank: 7
Next game: vs. ConVal, Jan. 30, 6 p.m.
It’s challenging to determine where Hollis-Brookline should rank alongside the top teams in Division 1 given the lack of common opponents. But one fact is undisputable: The Cavaliers have done everything in their power to prove they are the team to beat in Division 2. The stellar play continued with a 58-45 win last Friday over Hanover, one of the top competitors in the division. Seniors Wyatt Daigle and Roy Lucas led the way with 14 and 12 points, respectively, in the victory.
7. Alvirne (7-2)
Previous rank: NR
Next game: vs. Pinkerton, Jan. 28, 6:30 p.m.
The Broncos have been one of the pleasant surprises in Division 1 this season. After just missing the cut in the previous rankings, all they’ve done since is post three straight blowout wins over Londonderry, Timberlane and Concord. Alvirne is led by 6-foot-5 senior Garrett Hall, who can score inside and out and leads the team at 15.4 points per game. Senior guard Sean Chipfunde (14.4 points per game) and junior forward Angel Kangar (11.2 points per game) are also formidable pieces. The Broncos have not yet played most of the top teams in Division 1 — their current best wins are over Nashua South and Goffstown — but they will have an opportunity to make a statement against Pinkerton on Wednesday.
8. Exeter (6-5)
Previous rank: 6
Next game: at Winnacunnet, Jan. 30, 6:30 p.m.
The Blue Hawks are capable of beating just about any team in the state, but have repeatedly come up just short — they lost three straight games in January to No. 2 Bedford, No. 3 Trinity, and No. 4 Bishop Guertin, all by margins of 12 points or less. The Bedford loss went down to the wire, with junior Jackson McDonald and senior Jack Thibodeau leading the way with 13 points apiece in a 56-53 defeat. Exeter has lots of capable pieces surrounding senior Huxley Brown (13.1 points per game), but is still searching for the consistency needed to stick at the top of Division 1.
9. Windham (7-4)
Previous rank: NR
Next game: vs. Salem, Jan. 30, 5 p.m.
Windham has been on the fringes of the top 10 all season. Over the past two weeks, the Jaguars won three straight games against Nashua South, Manchester Memorial and Keene before getting blown out by No. 2 Bedford. Junior Brandon Jacobs (14.1 points per game) has emerged as a key piece, leading the team with 16 points in the 43-40 win over Keene on Friday and 15 points in the 47-44 win over Manchester Memorial last Tuesday. Junior Sam Roidoulis and senior Tyler Jordan are also averaging double digits.
10. Manchester West (9-0)
 
Previous rank: NR
Next game: vs. Hanover, Jan. 30, 6 p.m.
Manchester West has pulled out some close wins to remain unbeaten in Division 2, including a 58-56 victory over Souhegan on Friday that was close from start to finish. The Blue Knights are led by senior guard Max Houde, who is averaging 20.6 per game and is arguably the best shooter in the division — he knocked down five triples in the Souhegan win. Sophomore Amara Freeman (11.6 points per game) has also stepped into a big role. The unbeaten record will be challenged Friday in a marquee game against 8-2 Hanover.
Dropped out: Nashua South, Keene, Hanover
The next five: Hanover, Keene, Goffstown, Nashua South, Pelham
