Teams from New Hampshire and Vermont are preparing to hit the hardwood this week with the return of high school basketball.
Coming off a VPA Division III state championship, their third in the last four years, the Windsor High Yellow Jackets will retool in hopes of making another run at a title.
Head Coach Kabray Rockwood said his squad lost three key starters from last season, so younger players will have to step up.
“Our core group outside the two seniors is going to be a lot of younger players having to step into bigger roles,” he said.
Despite that, Rockwood said the season’s outlook is good, even with a schedule he acknowledged is tough.
“Once we get to the middle of the season and we’ve had some more game experience together, I think we’ll be in a position to make another run at it,” Rockwood said.
Returners for the defending champs include Kemari Wildgoose, Cassie Clark, Jaylin Lyman, Grace Blanchard and Amelia Rockwood.
As for newcomers, they include Callie Spaulding, Addison Crane and Callie Breit.
“We generally don’t have a lot of players, I think we maybe have 14 total between JV and varsity, so we’re going to have a lot of young players maybe playing both games,” he said. “So, how they develop through the course of the year to be able to help us come playoff time is going to be huge.”
Rockwood explained that if players are in foul trouble or suffer injuries, the younger group will need to be prepared to step into larger roles.
One of the biggest keys to success this season will be on the court chemistry, Rockwood said.
“It’s really going to be development, chemistry, and obviously I think there’s always a little bit of fortune or luck that has to happen when you go deep,” he said.
The Jacks’ title defense begins at home against Rivendell on Dec. 15.
While Windsor prepares to defend its title, other Upper Valley squads are preparing with hopes of getting their own taste of championship glory:
Hanover
The Bears will look to turn things around this season after finishing 3-15 last year and missing the playoffs.
Head Coach Dan O’Rourke said his squad this season will have some inexperience, with only three players having varsity experience. Among the returners from last season are Malia Pratt, Addie Tullar and Harper Lewis.
With just three returners and no seniors, O’Rourke said his team is going to have to rely on everyone. “We’re going to have to do this by committee.”
Newcomers to the varsity squad include Joanna Bujarksi, Katie Calderwood, Alienor Baertschiger, Campbell McCorkle, Eila Lahaye, Amelia Barlow and Lex Lund.
“I think with this particular year’s team, we have a tremendous amount of enthusiasm, excitement, kids are energetic,” O’Rourke said. “They want to learn, and the chemistry and atmosphere have been terrific so far.”
That type of feeling within the team, O’Rourke indicated, can help accelerate learning, and he emphasized that there will be growth and development as the season continues.
The Bears tip off against Pelham at home on Dec. 12.
Hartford
The Hurricanes enter this season with a young group, Head Coach Steve Landon said. Hartford is coming off a year in which it finished 15-5 in the regular season and fell to North Country Union in the quarterfinals of the VPA Division II playoffs.
“I really think that this group definitely is going to continue to get better every week we get to play,” Landon said.
Hartford’s returners are headlined by the reigning Vermont girls basketball Gatorade Player of the Year, Charlotte Jasmin.
Lily Argyros, Hailey Vanasse, Sadie Mullen, Sylvia Johnson and Ruby French are also coming back for the Hurricanes this season.
Mackenzie Bennett, Natalie Clark, Lucy Crowley and Riley Martin are newcomers to the squad.
Landon said he was excited about the group, despite the holes left by seniors graduating. “They have high expectations for themselves,” he said.
Jasmin’s play, along with her leadership, will be key for the Hurricanes this season. “I think we have some pretty high aspirations as a program as to what we want to do this year, but we all agree that we’re not going to talk about that; we’ve got to do it,” Landon said.
Hartford visits Fair Haven to open the season on Dec. 12.
Lebanon
The Raiders, who finished 11-7 in the regular season last year and were narrowly beaten by Pelham in the first round of the NHIAA Division II playoffs, are looking to get better.
“I think this year, we have a lot of potential for growth,” Head Coach Jeff Sowa said.
As for players who will rejoin the ranks for Lebanon, a squad that lost seven seniors from last season, they are headlined by Lily Estes and Annella Marsh.
“We’ve got a lot of younger players coming up, stepping into new roles,” Sowa said.
With new players coming in to fill various roles, Sowa said he needs to be patient and that the focus this year, as in others, is to help his players reach their fullest potential.
“There’s certainly going to be some younger kids stepping in that at first are maybe going to feel like they’re being thrown into the fire a little bit, but I am kind of excited about that to see how they respond,” Sowa said.
The Raiders begin their season on the road against Kingswood on Dec. 12.
Mascoma
The Royals had a tough time on the court last season, finishing 1-16 and missing out on the playoffs, but Head Coach Mark Rockwood said his squad’s talent level is pointing up.
Rockwood’s squad returns just four players, including Grace Clifford, Molly Gray, Lyla Jacobson and Aaralyn Chiasson. Sophia Smith, Paetyn Clement and Nora Emerson are newcomers, Rockwood said he was excited about.
“Those will be key players (we’re looking for impact right away),” he said.
Rockwood is excited about an increase in numbers and is hopeful his squad can make a playoff appearance this season. “We’re looking to be really strong defensively, athletic — get out and run is going to be kind of what our beginning process is,” he said.
The Royals travel to Newfound on Dec. 15 to start the season.
Oxbow
The Olympians came up just short of a VPA Division III state championship, losing by three points to Windsor in the title game after finishing the regular season 18-2.
Braylee Phelps, Abby Peavey, Brooke Osgood, Abby Longto, Madeleine McKinnon and Kayleigh Davis all return for Oxbow.
Rylee Pike and Alyssa Kosakowski are new additions this season, along with Margaret Williams and Lauren Stark.
Barry Emerson, who is Co-Coach alongside Lisa Williams, said the squad aims to return to the title game after getting a taste last season.
“It takes a lot of work to get there,” Emerson said. “But they’re going to be focused on their goals, that’s for sure.”
The Olympians open this season at home against Blue Mountain on Dec. 16.
Rivendell
The Raptors finished last year’s regular season 6-14 and won a VPA Division IV playoff game. However, one playoff game was all the postseason success they would have, and they were bounced in the quarterfinals by Long Trail.
This season, the Raptors have a new head coach, Kraig Harlow, who previously coached boys hoops at Springfield High.
“I’m really excited,” Harlow said. “My enthusiasm to coach is through the roof. I’m familiar with this girl’s program, I’ve watched them play… and I really think they could do some great things if they all come together.
Lily Nelson, Lily Murray, Greta Johnson, Lyza Taylor, Natalie Olsen and Payton Gray all return for Rivendell.
Points of emphasis for Harlow’s squad include “finding joy in basketball.” Communication, accountability, and commitment to the team are other key points.
“If you really kind of want to break down what you need to be good at basketball, first you’ve got to have some fun,” Harlow said. “If everyone’s having fun, then the game is enjoyable.”
The Raptors open at home against White River Valley on Dec. 12.
Sharon
The Phoenix finished 4-16 in the regular season last year and suffered a loss in the first round of the VPA Division IV playoffs.
Ava Lacaillade, Natalie Young, Jayden Perry, Paetyn Gray, Lorelai Putney and Lyla Lyman are among the returners for Sharon.
The Phoenix also welcomes a crop of newcomers, which includes Lucy Proulx, Evan Hare, Maddie Kopicki, Jae Bledsoe and Sierra Lecuyer.
“We have a great mix of returning and new players. This team has a strong work ethic and brings lots of positivity and skill to the court,” said Head Coach Jen Tewksbury.
“My assistant, Kayleigh Rodig, and I are looking forward to coaching our 5th season at The Sharon Academy,” she added.
Sharon opens the season at Long Trail on Dec. 12.
Stevens
Last season, the Cardinals went on a deep NHIAA Division III playoff run that ended with a semifinal loss against Fall Mountain after finishing the regular season 6-10.
“I think the way we finished last year — getting to the final four — it kind of showed the girls what they are capable of if we get on the same page and we put our minds to it,” Head Coach Gabe Ferland said.
Key returners coming back to the squad this season include Audrina Pelton and Lily Eagan. “Other than that, it’s going to be a lot of replacements getting more minutes this year,” Ferland said.
He pointed to Grace Goss, Bailey Morin, Olivia St. Aubin and Gabby Rheaume as players who will see more minutes this season and could potentially make an impact. Maddy Chambers, a newcomer to the team, could also carve out a role.
As his squad prepares for a new season, Ferland said their schedule has gotten tougher than last year’s. Despite that, he thinks his team is capable of even more than last season’s semifinal appearance.
Stevens tips off its season at home against Hillsboro-Deering on Dec. 12.
Thetford
The Panthers are coming off a year in which they went 4-16 in the regular season and lost in the first round of the VPA Division III playoffs to White River Valley, and they enter this season having graduated many players.
Despite losing some players to graduation, Thetford retains Natalie Perry, Natalie Snider, Logan Wells, Julia Bonnett and Ruth Brooks.
It also brings in several newcomers, such as Lacy Parkman, Addison Labelle, Brooklyn Chaffee, London Oshoniyi and Ayden Colby.
Head Coach Chris Cook is also a newcomer, as this is his first year with the Panthers. He previously coached Blue Mountain’s boys basketball team.
With a new coach comes a new philosophy. “So far, the girls have been great. The big thing is just getting them to buy into what we really want to do this season,” Cook said.
While Cook said the team is still working to figure out its strengths and weaknesses, he is hopeful his squad will find its identity.
“This is a marathon, not a sprint,” he said. “We’re looking to obviously grow as a whole and continue to get better each and every game…and hopefully we’re playing our best basketball the last couple weeks of February.”
The Panthers tip off on the road against White River Valley on Dec. 15.
White River Valley
The Wildcats were pretty successful last year, finishing the regular season 17-3, but they fell in the VPA Division III quarterfinals against Peoples Academy.
Head Coach Gordon Barnaby brings back a veteran squad, including eight returning seniors, headlined by Olivia Tuller, Cassandra Armstrong and Sarah Rule, who were all starters last season.
While Barnaby said his squad has some holes due to players leaving for graduation, he thought players would step up to fill them. He mentioned Mackenzie Vesper and Rhianna Young, who had playing time last season and could be difference-makers.
“They’ve been together for a long time,” Barnaby said of his squad. “They’ve always been a pretty good, team-oriented group, so it should be a lot of fun.”
White River Valley opens the season on the road against Rivendell on Dec. 12.
Woodstock
The Wasps’ season ended last year at the hands of Windsor in the first round of the VPA Division III playoffs after they finished the regular season 4-16.
Khloi Bruso, who led the Wasps in scoring last season, and Lindsey St. Cyr, who Head Coach Timmy MacDonnell expects big things from, headline the returners to the hardwood for Woodstock this season.
As for younger players who could make an impact, MacDonnell pointed to Willow Carey, who was on the team last season as an eighth-grader.
MacDonnell said the school’s girls’ basketball program is making progress, with numbers increasing.
“Progress isn’t always measured in wins and losses,” he said. “I think we’re kind of on the right trajectory for a school and a program that has struggled in the last decade or so (with) fielding healthy numbers and having kids be involved in girls basketball.”
MacDonnell said the team improved as the season went on last year, and he thinks the squad will improve this year as well.
Woodstock opens up the season at home on Dec. 12 against Twinfield/Cabot.