Who's Got Next in New Hampshire?

There's an argument to be made that no state association was as impacted by player movement this offseason as New Hampshire was. In fact, I can lay that arguement out with just five names:   [player_tooltip player_id='2832763' first='Finn' last='McCauley'] (Portsmouth to New Hampton), [player_tooltip player_id='2883055' first='Luke' last='O'Connell'] (Bedford to New Hampton), [player_tooltip player_id='2964830' first='Ryan' last='O'Rourke'] (Bedford to New Hampton), [player_tooltip player_id='2594613' first='Derek' last='Swartz'] (Portsmouth to New Hampton), and [player_tooltip player_id='2568381' first='Jordan' last='Torres'] (Trinity to Holderness)   That's a rising senior starter from last season's DI runner-up (Torres, 16.1ppg), two rising juniors from what would've been this season's favorite for the state title (McCauley, 9.8ppg & Swartz, 17.6ppg), and two key pieces from a team that was ranked #1 in the state heading into last season's tournament (O'Connell, 13.7ppg & O'Rourke, 12.1ppg).   A verifable all-star team and five prospects that would've been in the hunt for all-state honors come this winter - gone. Which leads to the question at hand - who's got next in the NHIAA?   Below, we'll share our thoughts on seven prospects that are ready to break out in New Hampshire this winter!   THE NEW TOP DOG:    Sanu, a junior out of Portsmouth High School, is coming off of a summer where he estblished himself as one of the best 2028 prospects in New England. The 6'1" guard averaged 11.2 points per game last winter while playing a complimentary role - that should change this season as he steps into the spotlight. Sanu is capable of scoring on or off the ball and has proven to be able to get buckets in a variety of ways, at all three levels. He's crafty with the ball in his hands, knows how to create space off the bounce, and does a nice job of finishing through traffic in the paint. He should be really good in transition and is capable of creating plenty of turnovers on the defensive end of the floor. Expect a lot of big scoring nights in Portsmouth this winter.    THE NEXT BIG THING:    Martinez, a sophomore out of Belmont High School, was phenomenal in his first season of high school basketball last winter. The 6'4" wing is coming off of a season in which he averaged 20.5 points per game and could top that this year. Martinez has good positional size, a frame that looks like it could support more weight, and is a fluid mover with a fair amount of athleticism. He makes intelligent basketball plays, takes care of the basketball, and can score it in the paint and from behind the arc. He processes the game well and does a nice job of making his presence felt on the glass on both ends of the floor. Belmont has a chance to win a lot of games as long as Martinez is on the floor.    THE RETURNING STATE CHAMPS:    Arthur, a senior out of Hollis-Brookline High School, was part of one of the state's top duos last winter on the way to a state title. The 6'2" guard will look to help his team repeat and should see his scoring average rise after putting up 17.0 points per game last season. Arthur, a lefty, has the ability to make plays as an on-ball creator or to slide off the ball and knock down perimeter jumpers at a high clip. He does a nice job of playing at his own speed, makes good reads as a handler out of ball screens, and has really developed his off the bounce game over the last 18 months. He'll be the engine behind the Hollis-Brookline attack this winter as they look to repeat in Division II.     Phanor, a junior out of Pinkerton Academy, seemingly flew a bit under-the-radar as his team won their way to a state title last winter. The 6'3" guard put up big numbers last year, 17.1 points per game, and has a chance to see that number rise significantly this season. Phanor is a long and athletic guard that makes a ton of plays in space, particularly when he can get downhill with the ball in his hands. He scores it off the bounce in the mid-range and does a great job of knocking down shots out of catch and shoot situations from behind the arc. He's got a smooth floor game and the ability to be disrutive defensively due to his length and burst into passing lanes. Pinkerton will have a target on their back this winter, but Phanor should give them a chance to win a lot of basketball games.    THE SKILLED BIG MAN:    Karavanic, a senior out of Nashua High School South, is a two-way presence that can impact games in a variety of ways. The 6'6" forward averaged an impressive 16.2 points per game last season and will look to lead his team on a deep playoff run this year. Karavanic has been a player to watch for the last two years and will look to put it all together this winter as a senior. He's got a big, sturdy frame that allows him to make an impact around the basket, both as a finisher and as a rebounder. He runs the floor hard in transition, can attack in straight line drives off the bounce, and operates as a roller or pop guy out of ball screens. If Nashua South is going to make noise this winter, he'll be a big reason why.    THE DOMINANT PAINT PRESENCE:    Hamisi, a senior out of Manchester Central High School, is in the argument for the title of the state's best big. The 6'6" forward controls the paint on both ends, is a nightly double-double threat, and averaged 14.9 points per game as a junior. Hamisi is a space eater in the paint that does a great job of carving out space early, has terrific hands, and shows good footwork when scoring out of the low post. He impressed last winter with his extended range as a shooter and has the ability to make some nice passes from the block and top of the key. He's developed into a grab-and-go rebounder that is a hard cover when he gets downhill. Expect Manchester Central to be improved this winter, with their big man being a key reason why.    THE DYNAMIC LEAD GUARD:    Rodriguez, a senior out of Nashua High School South, leads the way as one of the top table-setters in all of New Hampshire. The 6'1" guard averaged 14.1 points per game last season and, alongside Karavanic, looks to form the state's top duo. Rodriguez is a good athlete that thrives playing with pace in the open floor. He's incredibly disruptive defensively, both on and off the ball, which leads to plenty of transition opportunities as a scorer. He plays with a quick first step off the bounce, elevates into his mid-range jumper to get it off over defenders, and can score at the rim with athleticism or power. He'll have the ball in his hands a lot this winter, with his decision making being a big factor in how deep Nashua South can go in the tournament.

There's an argument to be made that no state association was as impacted by player movement this offseason as New Hampshire was. In fact, I can lay that arguement out with just five names: