Hollis Brookline, Lebanon leading the way in D2 girls basketball

Picking a favorite for Division II girls basketball is like trying to choose a favorite flavor of ice cream.

Aren't they all good?

With most teams at or just beyond the midway point of the season, there are two teams that remain undefeated in the division; Hollis Brookline and Lebanon both enter this week's action with identical 10-0 records. Unfortunately for basketball fans, the only way these teams will met is in the playoffs.

Unlike a year ago, when eventual-champion Souhegan and Lebanon met during the regular season, the Cavaliers and the Raiders could both enter the postseason with unblemished records. And looking at their schedules for the rest of the season, that's a serious possibility.

Of course both teams still have to play the Sabers (6-3) - Lebanon hosts Souhegan on Wednesday, HB hosts them on Feb. 21 - the remaining games for both teams are a lighter along the backstretch.

Both teams have put together their records against similar competition. HB's opponents to this point have a record of 53-52, while Lebanon's are 53-51. The Raiders handed Kearsarge (10-1) its only loss this season, and also have wins over Bedford, Windham and Merrimack Valley, teams that are all 8-3.

HB already has a win over Souhegan, and handed Portsmouth (9-2) its first loss of the year. The Cavs also have wins over Coe-Brown (9-2), along with Bedford and Windham. But outside of Souhegan, HB only plays one other team with a winning record this year, Goffstown (6-4), and the combined record of its remaining opponents is 25-51.

Lebanon still has its clash with Souhegan along with a game against Coe-Brown. Both of those games are this week, and after that, the Raiders face teams that are below .500. Their opponents combined record is 32-47.

When all is said and done, HB and Lebanon will have nine similar opponents - Souhegan, Con-Val, Coe-Brown, Hanover, John Stark, Mancehster West, Bedford, Oyster River and Windham. Of those eight, they've both played four so far.

While both teams blew out West, Lebanon has had a much larger margin of victory - the Raiders defeated Bedford by 32 points, Oyster River by 31 and Windham by 16. The Cavs beat Oyster River by 18, Windham by 13 and Bedford by just three.

Are these the two best teams in the division? It's too early to say, but don't be surprised if Lebanon and HB, barring any sort of injury or illness, end up facing each other in the final game.