A way-too-early look at the 2018 basketball season

While all the schools that had teams in this season’s boys and girls basketball championship games are probably still looking for a place on the wall to hang their plaque, it’s time to start looking ahead to what next year might have in store.

Can the Portsmouth boys sustain their run of domination in Division I? Can the Bishop Guertin girls do the same? Will Lebanon be able to pull off a sweep of Division II titles? Or will one of the teams that came up short this year make the jump next season?

Let’s take a somewhat educated guess.

But first a disclaimer: All predictions are based on players and coaches assumed to return for the 2017-18 season, and that no teams switch divisions.

Division I boys

Portsmouth will have a couple of huge holes to fill, which includes center Joey Glynn, but the Clippers will have Cody Graham, who played all year with a knee injury, and Alex Tavares back. And anyone who stuck around for the end of the D1 final caught a glimpse of the future, when freshman Jamal Shaheed scored a quick five points before the end of the game.

Who else will be in the mix? Of the other three final four teams, Bedford is in line to return the most, although the Bulldogs lose seniors Troy Meservey and Liam Greene. Spaulding loses D1 Player of the Year Cal Connelly, but the Raiders will have a solid junior class. Winnacunnet will have two of its top six returning.

If the lure of prep school isn’t too strong, Nashua North will have a solid lineup of seniors, led by Alonzo Linton, Skye Boykin, Casey Lane, Ryan Lynn and CJ Barrett. Merrimack’s Ian Cummings will be back for his senior year, and with a year of varsity play under the belts of Owen Ploss and Jared Dyer, the Tomahawks should improve. Bishop Guertin could take a big step in Matt Regan’s second year as coach, and as long as Cody Morissette is on the court for Exeter, it’s tough to count out the Blue Hawks.

Here’s a way-too-early prediction of what next year’s final four might look like: Portsmouth, Bedford, Nashua North, Spaulding.

Division II boys

While Lebanon will lose the starting backcourt of Ryan Milliken, KJ Matte and Graham Chickering, the Raiders have enough players returning – including Matt Eylander and Christopher Naulty – to be considered one of the favorites in D2 next season.

Milford will have to find a way to replace about 90 percent of its offense from this season and Coe-Brown loses nine seniors. Hollis Brookline will take a hit, too, but the Cavaliers return big men Matt Simco and Matthew Dowling, along with starter Scott VanCoughnett, and top reserves Patrick Close and Evan Simmonds.

Pelham and Timberlane also lose some key players to graduation, but will have experienced players returning, while Merrimack Valley and Pembroke both have a lot of underclassmen set to return.

Here’s a way-too-early prediction of what next year’s final four might look like: Lebanon, Hollis Brookline, Pembroke, Pelham.

Division I girls

Bishop Guertin graduates eight seniors, including three – Meghan Cramb, Abbi Field and Molly Dee – who were key parts of the Cardinals back-to-back championship teams. But, assuming there are no prep defections, Bishop Guertin already has a solid core returning, led by Caroline Hoffer and freshmen Erin Carney, Addison Smith and Hannah Muchmore.

It’s a lineup that would again make the Cardinals the favorite, but Bedford and Pinkerton wouldn’t be far behind. The Bulldogs had some freshmen talent of their own this season, and guards Mia Roy and Alyson Fillion will be seniors next year. Having Amanda Lemire back healthy and running the point, and with Brooke Kane in the post, the Astros should also be primed for another final four run.

The next tier of teams from this season – Nashua North, Londonderry, Winnacunnet, Manchester Memorial, Merrimack – all have most of their rosters set to return for next year and could challenge for one of those top spots.

Here’s a way-too-early prediction of what next year’s final four might look like: Bishop Guertin, Bedford, Pinkerton, Winnacunnet.

Division II girls

This is the division that could be affected the most by prep school defections, as Lebanon is in line to return most of the team that went 22-0 and won the division title. But like Hanover a year ago, the Raiders could suffer a hit if one or two players decides to take her talents elsewhere.

Regardless, if Lebanon isn’t the favorite next season, it will be one of the favorites, especially if freshman Becky Wright is in the mix. Wright had the potential to be a dominant post player, and with Madeline Hastings, Anna Wolke and Zoe Soule heading into their junior years, the Raiders have a solid core.

The other three semifinalists could all be back as well, as Portsmouth, despite losing Libby Underwood to graduation, has a lot set to return. Hollis Brookline will lose a lot in Cassandra Stapelfeld, but returns its point guard (Joanna Balsamo), a great shooter (Brodie Kelley) and big (Elizabeth Atkinson). Pelham also has its top inside threat, Danielle Sirois, returning for her senior season.

Hanover and Bishop Brady should also be in the mix, barring any defections, while Bow and Goffstown return most of their lineups.

Here’s a way-too-early prediction of what next year’s final four might look like: Lebanon, Hanover, Bishop Brady, Portsmouth.