Division II

Division II boys basketball preview

For the last few years, two teams in Division II boys basketball have had a reservation for Durham. The big difference between the two is that one is usually there a little bit longer.

This year, Portmouth – which has made it to at least the semifinals in seven of the last eight years – and Lebanon – which has been in the final four the last three – should be the favorites to get back to the University of New Hampshire again this year, possibly for a championship game showdown.

Who will join the Clippers and the Raiders? A few teams appear to have a better shot than others, but anything is possible in December.

Favorites

Portsmouth (20-2 last season): You’d be hard pressed to find a more brutal way to end a championship game than what happened to the Clippers last season. With the return of juniors Joey Glynn and Shon Parham, along with sophomore Cody Graham, Portsmouth is once again loaded and anything less than a return to the title game would be a surprise.
Lebanon (16-5): Getting to the semifinals is getting old for the Raiders and head coach Kieth Matte, but this could be the year Lebanon gets through that road block. The Raiders have arguably the best backcourt in the state in KJ Matte and Ryan Milliken.
Manchester West (17-2): Speaking of brutal, the Blue Knights were the No. 2 seed in their first year in D2 last year, only to fall to St. Thomas in the opening round. While West took a few hits in the offseason, there are solid players returning, including Joe Simpson, and the Blue Knights should be at the top of the standings once again.

Challengers

Bishop Brady (18-4): The defending champs were hit hard by graduation, but return two key players in Joe Bell and Mark Quirk. Another deep playoff run in coach Cole Etten’s second season isn’t out of the question.
Goffstown (11-10): A surprise semifinalist last year, the Grizzlies return a lot of solid players and should improve under first-year coach Mike Gasper, who returns to the Goffstown sideline. Not many teams will match the physicality of the Grizzlies’ frontcourt that features Tim Comeau and Casey Gervais.
Souhegan (6-13): After a few down seasons, this could be the year the Sabers bounce back behind senior Jerrell Webster, who is a three-year varsity player. Souhegan will once again face a tough schedule, with games against Portsmouth, Lebanon, Bishop Brady, Goffstown and West, plus two each with Milford and Windham.
Milford (11-8): Like Souhegan, the Spartans have been down for a few seasons, but last year’s campaign saw Milford turn the corner back toward its championship days. The emergence of Kirk Palladino in the last half of 2015 was key for the Spartans and he’ll play a big role again this year.

Rest of the field: Coe-Brown (12-7), ConVal (5-14), Hanover (12-8), Hollis Brookline (7-12), John Stark (3-15), Kennett (9-10), Kingswood (0-18), Merrimack Valley (15-5), Oyster River (6-13), Plymouth (4-14), St. Thomas (7-13), Timberlane (3-15), Windham (14-6).

Players to watch: KJ Matte, Lebanon; Cody Graham, Portsmouth; Joe Bell, Bishop Brady; Kirk Palladino, Milford; Jerrell Webster, Souhegan; Joe Simpson, Manchester West; Mike Bailey, Goffstown; Ryan Milliken, Lebanon; Joey Glynn, Portsmouth.

Final four: Portsmouth, Lebanon, Manchester West, Souhegan.

Championship: Lebanon over Portsmouth.