Top Returners Among NHIAA Division III Schools

<p>There are some months ahead of us before the real fun starts as high school girls basketball in New England returns. We have much to discuss, much to talk about, but this article takes a closer look at some of the top returning players in Division III of the New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Hannah Manley - Conant (2025)</h2>   <p>There are certainly going to be many different competitors for the crown this season as there always have been, one of those being Conant. Hannah Manley is going to be the piece up top for this program, an incredibly influential player that will be making quite the impact as a senior. There were many players who stepped up, but Manley's growth as a junior makes us incredibly eager to see what heights she'll reach upcoming.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Shaylee Murdough - Hopkinton (2025)</h2>   <p>The Division III state champions last season, Hopkinton fared incredibly well without impact player Keegan St. Cyr in the mix. Her injury unfortunately sidelined her for most of the season, leaving Shaylee Murdough to take over as the leader of this team. She did just that, making a name for herself and taking charge to guide this program to the summit. Murdough has a big senior season ahead of her to build off her junior year success.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tessa Marinello - Kearsarge (2025)</h2>   <p>Among the top scorers in Division III schools last season, Marinello might be the most impactful returner this season across the board. Any time that a team can welcome back a near 20-point scorer to the mix is a massive advantage, not to mention that she's got plenty more in the tank for a standout senior campaign. We're looking at an all-state level player in Marinello, there's no doubt about that.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Makenna Houston - Mascoma Valley (2026)</h2>   <p>Houston returns for her junior season at Mascoma Valley as a captain for this team, proving as a sophomore the impact that she can have on the floor. It was an impressive sophomore season at that, closing in on 200 points for the year with some 20-point games scattered throughout. She has the playmaking ability to be a top player in this division and this junior season will be when we see that bulldog side of her really come out to play.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Shaylee Branon - Monadnock (2025)</h2>   <p>Not the most encouraging season of the bunch, but certainly not the worst for Monadnock, who will be getting its top player back this season in Shaylee Branon. For a team that averaged less than 40 points a game, having roughly 30 percent of its scoring back in one player is going to make a big difference. She's a seasoned vet, a playmaker that scores in bunches. Expect a big senior season out of her.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='481352' first='Sophia' last='Capsalis'] - Prospect Mountain (2026)</h2>   <p>Capsalis led the pack on a team that wasn't the most high-scoring in the area, but a team that churned out wins. Having a breakout star like her to really move the dial and get those big baskets helped in close games. There's considerable talent within this squad and Capsalis is going to be looked at as the leader of this team, a capable leader that gets her teammates involved and tries to balance out the production across the floor.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Emma Toriello - St. Thomas Aquinas (2026)</h2>   <p>Toriello is up there in scoring with both von der Linden and Bolduc, who we will discuss below, and she's had her fair share of big games, high-scoring affairs that basically turn into offensive showcases for her. She plays with incredible confidence on the floor and is a risk-taker in a good way, making that extra move toward the basket or extra pass for a potential open shot.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Emilie von der Linden - St. Thomas Aquinas (2025)</h2>   <p>We're not going to say that STA has a cheat code of a player in von der Linden, but it does help when you can fortify and solidify the middle with a 6-3 center that has really found herself and used her height to her advantage. Great mobility for her size as she's been able to work the post, move around, block shots, deflect passes and get boards. She allows the offense to go through or around her.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Genna Bolduc - St. Thomas Aquinas (2025)</h2>   <p>STA proved to be one of the top programs in New Hampshire and in Division III last season, and the Saints have their top-three scorers all returning for this season. Bolduc barely led the pack, but showcased a poised, refined game with an ability to turn on the afterburners in tight game situations. Breakout speed on the floor, great mobility and wasn't afraid to get dirty, get physical to get baskets, rebounds or scoring opportunities in general.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Caidyn Carter - Winnisquam (2026)</h2>   <p>This Winnisquam team was really good last year, much of it due to senior Lauren MacDonald and what she was able to accomplish on the floor. However, MacDonald graduated in the spring, meaning someone else will have to take over her place and to fill that production gap. Carter is someone that can certainly make a dent in it after an impressive sophomore season, finishing as the second-best scorer in the program.</p>

There are some months ahead of us before the real fun starts as high school girls basketball in New England returns. We have much to discuss, much to talk about, but this article takes a closer look at some of the top returning players in Division III of the New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association.