Division I

Division I boys basketball preview

There’s only one way to describe Division I boys basketball as it gets underway on Friday.

Wide open.

As many as a dozen teams could end up making a run to championship Saturday at Durham this March, and in most cases, none would be a surprise. Some have a better chance than others, but on any given day, anything can happen.

Favorites

We weren’t kidding. There’s really no one at this point to put under that heading.

Challengers

Londonderry (22-0 last season): The Lancers go first because they are the defending champions. Yes, Londonderry lost a lot from last year’s team, but it does return junior sensation Jake Coleman, who should have the Lancers in the mix for another long postseason run.
Pinkerton (18-4): Last year’s runner-up would be the favorite had guard Geo Baker opted to leave for prep school. The Astros will still be a solid team with Brennan Morris and company still around.
Manchester Central (17-2): When are the Little Green not in the conversation? After going out in the first round to 15th-seeded Nashua North last year, Central has got to be itching to get back to Durham, with Jaylen Leroy leading the way.
Merrimack (10-10): The Tomahawks are loaded with talented seniors, which always seems to be the case when Merrimack makes it to UNH. While Ian Roberts and Zak Kerr lead the upperclassmen, sophomore Ian Cummings could play a key role.
Nashua South (10-9): The Panthers have one of the two best scorers in the state in junior D.J. Frechette, but the challenge will be finding other options. South took a hit when junior Max Osgood broke his wrist during the Turkey Bowl.
Salem (6-13): Matt Vartanian, an all-state player a year ago, leads a Blue Devils team that should be much improved over last year’s group.
Nashua North (8-13): The Titans battled injuries and other issues last season, so perhaps they weren’t your typical 15th seed. But despite a few losses to graduation, North brings back some key players – Nate Hale and Ronnie Silva – who got some valuable experience at UNH last season.
Trinity (9-11): The Pioneers should be better just from getting another year under their belts with coach Matt Lemieux. Leading the way for Trinity will be senior Connor Walsh.

Rest of the field: Alvirne (9-10), Bedford (12-8), Bishop Guertin (7-12), Concord (0-18), Dover (4-14), Exeter (6-12), Keene (7-12), Manchester Memorial (8-11), Pembroke (10-8), Spaulding (17-4), Winnacunnet (6-13).

Player to watch: DJ Frechette, Nashua South; Jake Coleman, Londonderry; Bryant Holmes, Exeter; Jaylen Leroy, Manchester Central; Nate Hale, Nashua North; Matt Vartanian, Salem; Connor Walsh, Trinity; Brennan Morris, Pinkerton; Ryan Hughes, Bedford.

Final four: Pinkerton, Manchester Central, Merrimack, Nashua South.

Championship: Manchester Central over Pinkerton.