The NHIAA girls’ basketball slate is once again shaping up as a two-horse race between Bedford and Londonderry, after the two powerhouses blew through Division 1 last year on a collision course to the state title game.
Concord Christian returns four of five starters and has a strong case as the next-best team behind the two powers, and the field is wide open beginning at the No. 4 spot.
Many last year’s top finishers in Division 1 and Division 2 replaced a ton of elite talent, though programs such as Bishop Guertin and Exeter have strong foundations to remain competitive. Other teams that finished with disappointing records last year have added significant talent and will be back in the mix, including Nashua South and Keene.
Below is our first look at the top 10 NHIAA girls teams entering the season.
1. Bedford
Division 1
Last season: 18-0
Coach: Kevin Gibbs
The two-time defending state champion is once again loaded, even after graduating reigning Division 1 player of the year Kate Allard. Bedford’s strength begins with its proven backcourt in star seniors Sarah Muir and Annie Zink, both well-rounded guards who can run the offense and play in sync with each other. Junior big Mel McCarthy holds Division 1 college offers and can run the floor, knock down three-pointers, and also dominate with interior post moves.
Annie’s younger sister, sophomore Eva Zink, made an immediate impact as a freshman with her versatile defense and rebounding, and her outside shot has come along nicely. Also look for senior Grace Wolf and sophomore Juliet Laws to step into bigger roles on the state’s deepest roster.
2. Londonderry
Division 1
Last season: 17-1
Coach: Jon Doherty
Londonderry and Bedford are in a class of their own and each has a strong case for the preseason No. 1 spot, but Londonderry starts just behind after falling to Bedford in last season’s Division 1 state title game. Only two members of the 2024-25 Division 1 First Team return, and both are on Londonderry — senior Sammie Sullivan and junior guard Gemma Murray.
Sullivan, the state’s top returner and a Bryant commit, is a monster two-way guard/wing who averaged over 19 points per game last season. Murray also holds Division 1 college offers and will run the point after averaging 15 points per game last season, and senior guard Brooke Eacrett is an elite defender who was the team’s third-leading scorer last year. Complimenting the three top scorers is senior Brooke Wilson, who is a key energy player and tenacious rebounder.
3. Concord Christian
Division 1
Last season: 14-4
Coach: Becky Carlile
It will be an uphill battle for any team to challenge Londonderry or Bedford, but Concord Christian is the state’s clear-cut No. 3 entering the season. Concord Christian reached the state semifinals last year and graduated leading scorer Lilli Carlile, but returns its other four starters. Senior Emma Smith was a Division 1 second teamer last season and averaged more than 18 points per game and 11 rebounds, and her sister Kate Smith was the team’s third-leading scorer and provides a strong interior presence.
Emmy Laboe was a starter last year and mostly shined on the defensive end, but should see a bigger offensive role this season. The team also adds transfer Abby Lash, who was the leading scorer on Concord last season, and Sophia Capsalis, who was a key contributor for Concord Christian two years ago but missed last season with an ACL injury.
4. Nashua South
Division 1
Last season: 8-10
Coach: Jon Bourgeois
Even after a sub-.500 record and No. 14 seed in last year’s Division 1 tournament, the mix of quality returners and key transfer additions has Nashua South in the mix as a top Division 1 team this season. The team runs through 5-foot senior guard Nicole De Jesus, who led Nashua South at over 15 points per game last season and is a tenacious defender and rebounder despite her small frame.
Senior Addy Borden was a key starter last season and is a lights-out shooter, and sophomore Lexi McGuire will step into the point guard role after a promising freshman campaign. The team adds two key transfers in junior forward Maggie Gallagher, who was Bishop Guertin’s third-leading scorer last season, and sophomore forward Anya Challinger, a Nashua native who had an impressive freshman season at now-defunct Penguin Hall.
5. Bishop Guertin
Division 1
Last season: 14-4
Coach: Olivia Orlando
Bishop Guertin secured the No. 5 seed in Division 1 last season and fell in the quarterfinal round, and expectations remain high despite losing key scorers Holly Dufoe and Maddie Gallagher as transfers. Senior Kayden Rioux transferred into Bishop Guertin ahead of last year and made an immediate impact as the team’s second-leading scorer and offensive facilitator, and she will take on an added leadership role this season. Junior big Laura Marino is also a returning starter who had some monster games last season and provides size and defensive ability, and seniors Thalia Drapeau, Maddi Long, and Olivia Baker are all-multi year contributors who will see added responsibility this season.
6. Keene
Division 1
Last season: 8-10
Coach: David Springfield
Keene was the No. 13 seed in Division 1 last year and fell in the opening round of the playoffs, but should be improved this year behind reigning Division 1 second team selection Harper Zalaski. A 6-foot big and Southern New Hampshire commit, Zalaski averaged 17 points per game last season and will be the team’s focal point on both ends. Sophomore Payton Margatis will run the point and should take a leap as both a scorer and distributor, after she was the team’s third-leading scorer and started every game as a freshman. Senior Izzy Payne is also a returning starter who is a physical presence and can also knock down shots, and senior Emily Antosiewicz and junior Isabell Parham Brown should also take on bigger roles.
7. Exeter
Division 1
Last season: 11-7
Coach: Kay Rogers
Exeter had one of the state’s most balanced scoring attacks last season, and will need to tap into that depth after graduating Karli Scherpf and losing junior Anna McGuinness as a transfer to Lawrence Academy. Junior Lexy Rodgers is a versatile combo guard who has averaged double-digit points per game each of the past two seasons, and she is an excellent rebounder and forces lots of turnovers.
Senior Nicole Melick will take on an expanded role after averaging just over six points last year as a rotational guard. Her twin sister, Jess Melick, is the team’s tallest player at 5-foot-11 and averaged seven points and six rebounds per game last season while providing key rim protection. Also look for a late-season contribution from senior Emma Gillis, who was the team’s fifth-leader scorer last year but will begin the season injured.
8. Pembroke
Division 2
Last season: 14-4
Coach: Steve Langevin
After reaching the Division 2 state championship game in 2024 and then suffering a disappointing quarterfinal exit last season, Pembroke has an opportunity to put it all together this year with a formidable returning squad. The team leader will be reigning Division 2 first teamer Kate Stevens, a polished offensive star who averaged 16 points per game last year and has improved defensively. Junior Anne Phillips has started at point guard since her freshman year and averaged double figures last season, and senior Hailey Steinmetz is a versatile forward who was the team’s fourth-leading scorer last year and will take on a larger offensive role. Senior guard Ava Strazzeri and big Tessa Love were also key role players last season and will see expanded roles.
9. Pinkerton
Division 1
Last season: 13-5
Coach: Lani Buskey
The perennially competitive program took a small step back last season with a 13-5 record and state quarterfinal appearance, and Pinkerton will be a young team this year after graduating Division 1 first teamer Sydney Gerossie and honorable mention Kaylee Dupuis, among others.
Star senior Brooke Benz is a four-year starter and double-double machine, and she will be tasked with anchoring the squad on both ends of the court. Guard Taya Brown was a key spark plug as the sixth man last year, and will step into the lead point guard role and be the team’s No. 2 scoring option. Sophomore Madison Leccese only saw sparse action as a freshman but had a huge offseason of development, and 6-foot junior Julia Caruso, a Penn State softball commit, will also see an increase in action.
10. Windham
Division 1
Last season: 16-2
Coach: Todd Steffanides
Windham’s only losses last regular season came to Bedford and Londonderry, and the team rode a stellar 16-2 record to the state semifinals before running into Londonderry a second time. This year’s team will replace its top two leading scorers in Division 1 first teamer Meghan Husson and honorable mention Lilah Boucher, but will look to senior forward Liz Grasso to step into the leadership role as both a paint scorer and a key defender and rebounder.
Junior guard Rileigh Finneran was a mainstay starter on last year’s team and averaged just over six points per game, and she will be the team’s primary ball handler this year. Junior forward Grace Mondello was an important glue player and will take on an increased role, and juniors Molly Welby and Taylor Procek will also be important pieces of the guard rotation.
