> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.nh-highschoolsports.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Bracketology: Division II boys basketball
- URL: https://www.nh-highschoolsports.com/bracketology-division-ii-boys-basketball-6/
- Published: 2016-02-26T14:00:52.000Z
- Updated: 2016-02-26T14:00:52.000Z
- Description: It's a two-team race now for the top seed in Division II boys basketball, and Portsmouth seems to have the inside track. The Clippers have an easier remaining schedule than Lebanon, which is also undefeated. Even if the teams finish tied for first place, Portsmouth would get the No. 1 seed, thanks t
- Author: Joe Marchilena
- Tags: Division II, boys basketball, bracketology, playoffs, slider, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-08-18 04:44

It's a two-team race now for the top seed in Division II boys basketball, and Portsmouth seems to have the inside track.

The Clippers have an easier remaining schedule than Lebanon, which is also undefeated. Even if the teams finish tied for first place, Portsmouth would get the No. 1 seed, thanks to the extra rating point it earned for a win over Division I Pembroke.

But barring a major collapse, the Raiders would end up with the No. 2 seed, with Manchester West and Milford appearing to have the third and fourth spots all but locked up.

### 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 St. Thomas (5-12) at No. 1 Portsmouth (16-0)
- No. 9 Kennett (7-7) at No. 8 Coe-Brown (8-7)
- No. 12 Goffstown (7-9) at No. 5 Bishop Brady (11-5)
- No. 13 John Stark (6-9) at No. 4 Milford (13-2)
- No. 15 Plymouth (6-10) at No. 2 Lebanon (15-0)
- No. 10 Timberlane (7-8) at No. 7 Souhegan (8-7)
- No. 14 Windham (6-9) at No. 3 Manchester West (14-2)
- No. 11 Hanover (7-8) at No. 6 Hollis Brookline (10-5)

### Top four

- **Portsmouth (16-0):** Dominant doesn't feel like a strong enough word for what the Clippers have done this season. Portsmouth has had two games all year that have been decided by 10 points or fewer, and one of those was the first game of the year against West. The Clippers have scored 69 points or more in their last nine games, and 13 times all season, and have allowed 50 or more three times. **Best wins:** at Manchester West (48-46), at Souhegan (56-31), Milford (74-35), at Coe-Brown (72-28), Bishop Brady (69-36). **Bad losses:** None.
- **Lebanon (15-0):** The Raiders have been just as dominant as the Clippers, with just three games decided by under 10 points. But Lebanon's schedule is slightly more challenging. After hosting ConVal on Friday, the Raiders will host Bishop Brady and Milford before the end of the regular season. **Best wins:** Goffstown (57-28, 63-43), at Souhegan (59-40), Hollis Brookline (47-44), at Manchester West (60-53), Bishop Brady (76-29). **Bad losses:** None.
- **Manchester West (14-2):** Two, three, and now four games for West that have been decided by under 10 points, but the Blue Knights are 2-2 in those games. While West has played Portsmouth and Lebanon close, the Blue Knights would likely have to beat both to capture this year's title. Like the top two seeds, West would have to suffer a big collapse to fall further than the third seed. **Best wins:** Goffstown (46-30, 70-44), Hollis Brookline (56-45), at Bishop Brady (79-45), at Souhegan (4-45). **Bad losses:** None.
- **Milford (13-2):** When the Spartans are on, they're on, as they've topped 60 points in all but four games this season. But when Milford's not on ... well, then you get the 39-point loss to Portsmouth. The Spartans might be one of the deepest teams in the division, maybe even the state, with nine players who can step in and provide solid minutes. **Best wins:** Hollis Brookline (57-36, 54-44), Souhegan (69-41, 64-57). **Bad losses:** at Portsmouth (74-35), at St. Thomas (72-62).

### Next four

- **Bishop Brady (11-5):** The defending champions still have one of the best players in the division in Joe Bell. But the Giants have come up way short against the top teams, averaging 36.7 points in losses to West, Lebanon and Portsmouth. Bishop Brady can finish no higher than fifth. **Best wins:** Goffstown (54-52, 58-49), Souhegan (45-39). **Bad losses:** Manchester West (79-45), Windham (62-55), at Timberlane (62-57), Lebanon (76-29).
- **Hollis Brookline (10-5):** The Cavaliers have been one of the hottest teams over the second half of the season, winning six in a row going into Friday's game against Souhegan. With the number of mediocre teams in the division, that's propelled HB into a home playoff game. If Bishop Brady stumbles, the Cavs could finish as high as fifth. **Best wins:** at St. Thomas (71-46), at Windham (41-36). **Bad losses:** Souhegan (51-31).
- **Souhegan (8-7):** The Sabers looked on their way to a top six seed, and maybe even higher, but losses in five of seven games dropped Souhegan. Depending on what happens, the Sabers' regular-season finale against Coe-Brown could be for the eighth seed and could set up a rematch in the first round. **Best wins:** at Hanover (60-55), at Hollis Brookline (51-31). **Bad losses:** at Bishop Brady (45-39), at Goffstown (58-46).
- **Coe-Brown (8-7):** The Bears hit a rough stretch in midseason, not surprisingly when they had to face Portsmouth (twice) and Milford. Coe-Brown may not be a team many saw as a potential final four team, but the Bears have some winnable games in the final week, and if things break their way ... **Best wins:** Goffstown (38-31). **Bad losses:** Timberlane (48-47), Oyster River (59-52), Portsmouth (72-28).

### Rest of the field

- Kennett (7-7)
- Timberlane (7-8)
- Hanover (7-8)
- Goffstown (7-9)
- John Stark (6-9)
- Windham (6-9)
- Plymouth (6-10)
- St. Thomas (5-12)

**Team no one wants to face:** Goffstown. The Grizzlies have played one of the toughest schedules in the division, facing Lebanon, West and Bishop Brady twice, plus games with Portsmouth and Souhegan. They've gone 1-7 in those games, of all the teams in the bottom half of the bracket, the Grizzlies have the experience and the talent to potentially pull of upset and go on a bit of a run.

### On the outside

- Oyster River (4-11)
- Merrimack Valley (3-12)
- ConVal (1-14)
- Kingswood (1-16)

### Projected seeding

1. Portsmouth
2. Lebanon
3. Manchester West
4. Milford
5. Hollis Brookline
6. Bishop Brady
7. Souhegan
8. Coe-Brown
9. Goffstown
10. Timberlane
11. Hanover
12. Kennett
13. Windham
14. John Stark
15. St. Thomas
16. Plymouth