Division I

Bracketology: Division I boys basketball

The unpredictable season continued to a certain degree in Division I boys basketball in the last week, as a couple of teams unexpectedly tumbled, and a couple stepped up. Teams like Salem and Londonderry have come back from the edge to reach the middle of the standings, while Nashua North and Bedfor

The unpredictable season continued to a certain degree in Division I boys basketball in the last week, as a couple of teams unexpectedly tumbled, and a couple stepped up.

Teams like Salem and Londonderry have come back from the edge to reach the middle of the standings, while Nashua North and Bedford continue to rise.

Meanwhile, Manchester Central, Manchester Memorial and Nashua South took a step back.

It all adds up to what such be an incredible final week of the season, and an amazing tournament.

How the playoffs stand

Here's a look at the first-round matchups if the playoff started Friday. No tiebreakers have been applied.

No. 16 Trinity (5-11) at No. 1 Pinkerton (14-2)
No. 9 Nashua South (8-7) at No. 8 Winnacunnet (10-5)
No. 12 Bishop Guertin (6-10) at No. 5 Exeter (11-4)
No. 13 Alvirne (5-10) at No. 4 Merrimack (11-4)
No. 15 Spaulding (5-10) at No. 2 Nashua North (13-3)
No. 10 Londonderry (8-7) at No. 7 Bedford (10-5)
No. 14 Keene (5-10) at No. 3 Manchester Central (11-4)
No. 11 Salem (7-8) at No. 6 Manchester Memorial (10-5)

Top four

Pinkerton (14-2): The Astros' offensive performance against Bedford seems to be in the past, as they've averaged 70.3 points a game in their last three. But that game just goes to show that even the favorite is capable of being beat on any given night. Best wins: Manchester Central (61-43), Manchester Memorial (79-67), Nashua North (75-54). Bad losses: Bedford (59-39).
Nashua North (13-3): The Titans are one of the hottest teams in the state, as they've won seven in a row, including big wins over Bedford, Nashua South and Exeter. The big three of Nate Hale, Ronnie Silva and Alonzo Linton is one of the most versatile in the division. Best wins: Winnacunnet (51-48), Bedford (76-58), Exeter (68-56). Bad losses: None.
Manchester Central (11-4): The Little Green have some of the best shooters in the division, but five times this year, teams have scored 65 points or more against Central. The good news for the Green is that they own the tiebreaker with North, Exeter, Merrimack and Memorial. With its last two games at home against Pembroke and Alvirne, Central looks in good shape for the third seed, or higher if North slips. Best wins: Manchester Memorial (78-70), at Nashua North (81-42), Exeter (86-75), Merrimack (69-53). Bad losses: at Bishop Guertin (56-53).
Merrimack (11-4): The Tomahawks have shown that when they can shut down the other team, they can play with the best in the division. But if Merrimack can't slow the opponent down, it struggles. The final three games are the toughest in the division - at Memorial, vs. North and at Pinkerton. Best wins: Bedford (51-26), Exeter (79-77), Winnacunnet (54-42). Bad losses: at Bishop Guertin (66-49), Alvirne (62-57).

Next four

Exeter (11-4): The Blue Hawks struggled offensively in Tuesday's loss to North, as both Cody Morissette and Bryant Holmes had tough nights shooting. Exeter has to hope that's out of its system, because when those two are on, look out. Best wins: Nashua South (84-73), Winnacunnet (61-56), Manchester Memorial (92-79). Bad losses: Londonderry (65-49).
Manchester Memorial (10-5): The Crusaders appear to be in a funk at the worst time. Memorial blew an 18-point lead against Exeter to lose by 13, and then disappeared on offense against Londonderry. The road doesn't get any easier, as the Crusaders finish with Merrimack, Nashua South and a road game at Salem. Best wins: at Nashua North (82-75), Bedford (80-76). Bad losses: Exeter (92-79), Londonderry (72-44).
Bedford (10-5): The Bulldogs seem to have got things together at the right time, following up the big win over Pinkerton with two more wins. Bedford finishes the year with two road games - Bishop Guertin and Concord - before hosting Exeter in the finale. If things go right for the Bulldogs, that came could be for a top four seed. Best wins: Winnacunnet (59-58), Pinkerton (59-39). Bad losses: Merrimack (51-29).
Winnacunnet (10-5): The Warriors look like a lock for the top 10, with a home game against Central on Friday and two road contests at Dover and Keene. Winnacunnet will be a tough out for one of the top three seeds in the quarterfinals. Best wins: Manchester Memorial (69-53), Pinkerton (63-53), Nashua South (71-46). Bad losses: None.

Rest of the field

Nashua South (8-7)
Londonderry (8-7)
Salem (7-8)
Bishop Guertin (6-10)
Alvirne (5-10)
Keene (5-10)
Spaulding (5-10)
Trinity (5-11)

Team no one wants to face: Londonderry and Salem. Much was expected of both the Lancers and the Blue Devils going into the season, fair or not. Londonderry had a young team coming into the season that seems to have come together for the stretch run. Salem got off to a rough start, but has turned things on of late.