Top Returners Among NHIAA Division I Schools

<p>We are getting ever so close to the start of the 2024-25 high school girls basketball season in New Hampshire, meaning plenty of action and chaos coming our way. There's also going to be some fantastic players to watch among a returning cast of stars. Here are some of the best returning pieces among NHIAA Division I schools.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='282804' first='Kate' last='Allard'] - Bedford (2025)</h2>   <p>Lana McCarthy graduated from the program last season as she's on her way toward hopeful college success at Purdue. That leaves two players at the top of the food chain for Bedford this coming season and it starts with [player_tooltip player_id='282804' first='Kate' last='Allard'], one of the best pure scorers in the state. Despite scoring around 14 points a game as a junior, she's got 20-point average potential written all over her, something we could be watching out for this season.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='288651' first='Lyla' last='Stein'] - Bedford (2025)</h2>   <p>On one of the most highly-anticipated teams of the season, alongside Allard at Bedford is [player_tooltip player_id='288651' first='Lyla' last='Stein'], an impressive scorer of her own who broke out as a junior. She's undoubtedly going to take a step up in her game to fill the void left by McCarthy, which means more production across the board and more success. We could easily see someone who's pushing for 15 points a game as a senior.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Lilly Nossiff - Dover (2025)</h2>   <p>Dover was a team that toyed with the .500 mark last season, but were able to stay firmly on the winning side for double-digit wins. They'll be in a great position going into this season because their top scorer and team leader, Lilly Nossiff, is back for her senior season. Talk about a must-watch player, Nossiff was that and then some. Expect a massive senior season from her.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Anna McGuinness - Exeter (2026)</h2>   <p>McGuinness made waves as a sophomore on a team that had some struggles offensively overall, and she's part of a young core of talent that is making their way through. Averaging more than 12 points a game and putting up 200+ points in a sub-20 game season is fantastic. She's an impressive guard, someone who grew over the course of summer playing for Lady Rivals, and she's only getting better on the floor.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1005218' first='Harper' last='Zalaski'] - Keene (2026)</h2>   <p>It says a lot about a player if they're already a team captain going into their junior year, a multi-year team captain at that. That's how good Zalaski has been and how much of a leader she's been within this Keene program. Her height and wingspan have only helped her become that much more dominant on the floor, controlling the game down low and making quick work on the glass and near the basket.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='307563' first='Sammie' last='Sullivan'] - Londonderry (2026)</h2>   <p>Londonderry has an incredible 1-2 punch going into next season with [player_tooltip player_id='307563' first='Sammie' last='Sullivan'] and Brooke Eacrett as the pair scored more than 30 points a game and 500+ points as sophomores. Sullivan, in particular, has the opportunity to put up an all-time season in this state. Incredible success as a shooting guard, can spot up from anywhere, moves well, quick release, easy shot and effortless finish.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1280530' first='NyAsia' last='McKelvey'] - Manchester Memorial (2025)</h2>   <p>Last season is one that Manchester Memorial will want to forget, but at the same time, there's a lot to be encouraged about heading into this season, especially McKelvey. They have their frontcourt solidified with her in the middle, a great two-way player. Very skilled offensively, but she's really made big improvements in her defensive production. Great around the rim while also stuffing opponents with fantastic blocks/deflections.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='273941' first='Sydney' last='Gerossie'] - Pinkerton (2025)</h2>   <p>If Bedford was the class of the bunch last season, Pinkerton is right up there, having finished 17-1 last season and losing in the state championship game to that same Bedford squad. Gone unfortunately is Elizabeth Lavoie, but returning as the focal point for this program is Gerossie, a 15-point scorer that easily has 20-point potential in her. Being the superstar for this team, there's no doubt she's going to put up numbers like Lavoie as a senior.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Lily George - Salem (2025)</h2>   <p>George is one of the best pure scorers returning to the fold among Division I teams in New Hampshire, perhaps the best of the bunch. When you average 15-16 points a game, the eyes will be on you and more, but she's lived up to the hype and then some. One of the top players in the Class of 2025, the guard/forward is a versatile piece that makes things happens and will put a team on her back en route to victory.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Lily Small - Nashua North (2027)</h2>   <p>Small is the lone Class of 2027 player that we included in this list, representing the sophomores going into next season. There's a lot to like about what we saw from Small as a freshman, with double-digit scoring averages as she led the pack for Nashua North. She was playing like a leader, like a playmaker, like someone who's really proven herself to be a bonafide star in this state, all just in her freshman year on varsity.</p>

We are getting ever so close to the start of the 2024-25 high school girls basketball season in New Hampshire, meaning plenty of action and chaos coming our way. There's also going to be some fantastic players to watch among a returning cast of stars. Here are some of the best returning pieces among NHIAA Division I schools.