NHIAA State Tournament Preview - Division II

We continue our look at New Hampshire with a preview of the Division II state tournament.   Below, we'll take a look at eight prospects to watch in the NHIAA Division II tournament, one from each of the top eight seeds.   #1 Pembroke (16-2)   Evan Berkeley - A combo guard for Pembroke, Berkeley averaged 14.9 points per game this season, with a single game high of 30. A really good defender in space, Berkeley has the ability to read passing lanes to generate deflections and steals that lead to easy run outs. He's a capable perimeter shooter that has deep range on his jumper and can get it off in catch and shoot situations or off the bounce. He does a nice job as a playmaker, creating plays for others off the bounce when he gets into the paint.   #2 Hanover (15-3)   Beckett Sobel - A scoring guard for Hanover, Sobel averaged 11.8 points per game this season, with a single game high of 21. Someone who can really shoot the basketball, Sobel is at his best off the ball, proving to be a hard cutter that knows how to run off of screens. He has a quick release and even shows the ability to create seperation off the bounce that allows him to get into his jumper in the mid-range. He runs the floor well, does his work early as a spot up shooter, and knows how to move the ball quickly.   #3 Sanborn (14-4)   Dylan Rego - A versatile wing for Sanborn, Rego averaged 22.7 points per game this season, with a single game high of 41. One of the top wing athlete in all of the NHIAA, Rego is a terror in transition where he can get out and run the floor and finish with authority around the rim. He's strong attack the basket from the wings, showing the ability to get by the initial defender with good burst and finish with length in the paint. He's a strong defender that can guard multiple positions, rebound above the rim, and even provide some shot blocking.   #4 Pelham (14-4)   Brady Hegan - An athletic wing for Pelham, Hegan averaged 15.3 points per game this season, with a single game high of 30. Another impressive athlete, Hegan is a big, physical wing that can play on the perimeter or in the post. He has a frame that allows him to take advantage of mistmatches in the paint, scoring physically through contact. He's also a good downhill driver that can make plays off the bounce and score over size. Defensively, he's a strong rebounder that grabs boards in traffic and initiates the break with outlet passes.   #5 Coe-Brown Northwood (14-4)   Jack Matson - A scoring guard for Coe-Brown Northwood, Matson averaged 13.9 points per game this season, with a single game high of 21. A good defender on the perimeter that has the ability to move quickly laterally, Matson does a nice job of keeping opponents out of the paint and can even block shots in isolation situations. He's a quality scorer that can make shots in bunches from behind the arc, making them both off the catch and in isolation situations. He even has the ability to leverage his shooting to open driving lanes.   #6 Hollis-Brookline (14-4)   James Arthur - A high IQ wing for Hollis-Brookline, Arthur averaged 14.3 points per game this season, with a single game high of 25. A lefty with in the gym range, Arthus is one of the most well-rounded scorers in the NHIAA. He has the strength to finish around the rim off his drives, knows how to get to his spots in the mid-range, and can really shoot it from behind the arc in catch and shoot situations. He's tough, is a capable secondary ball-handler, and is a willing worker on the defensive end of the floor that is a strong rebounder.   #7 Oyster River (13-5)   Matthew Jernigan - A dynamic wing for Oyster River, Jernigan averaged 17.2 points per game this season, with a single game high of 26. Arguably the top junior in Division III, Jernigan is a jack of all trades that has the ability to impact a game in a variety of ways. He has good positional size, is an above the rim athlete, and has the length needed to be disruptive defensively. He uses his physical tools to his advantage as a scorer too, getting it done from all three levels and being particularly hard to guard when he gets downhill with the ball in his hands.   #8 Manchester West (12-6)   Max Houde - A scoring guard for Manchester West, Houde averaged 14.7 points per game this season, with a single game high of 22. Another guard who can really shoot it from behind the arc, Houde is as consistent as they come as a scorer. He's capable of getting double-digits every night and typically knocks down multiple threes in a game. He moves well without the basketball, can go by the initial defender off the bounce, and scores with soft touch in the paint. Defensively, he can guard either backcourt spot.

We continue our look at New Hampshire with a preview of the Division II state tournament.