Top Returners in NHIAA Division II

<p>We have a new high school girls basketball season rapidly approaching in the New England region, meaning a plethora of players and teams to talk about. We're currently scouring through New Hampshire as the calendar switches to October. Here are some of the top returning prospects among NHIAA Division II schools.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Payton Bryson - Bishop Brady (2025)</h2>   <p>Bryson is headed to the next level in 2025 to play softball, but she has one high school season remaining on the hardwood to show out. She'll be a massive returning piece for Bishop Brady as the program's top scorer last season, being relied upon heavily to have success on both sides of the ball. Bryson has already proven she can step up in big situations, making this senior season a big one for her continued success.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='885212' first='Lilli' last='Carlile'] - Concord Christian (2025)</h2>   <p>Carlile is easily one of the top returning prospects in the whole of New Hampshire, let alone for one of its best programs in Concord Christian. She broke out in a big way as a junior, averaging nearly 18 points a game while coming up just short of 325 points for the season, an impressive mark in less than 20 games played. For a 17-1 team like this program was, they're in fantastic position with Carlile as the focal point to repeat that this season.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='344311' first='Emma' last='Smith'] - Concord Christian (2026)</h2>   <p>The 1-2 punch of Carlile and Smith is going to make waves across the state this season just as it did during Concord Christian's run to the state title game in the spring. Where Carlile averaged 18 points a game, Smith averaged 19.0 PPG, scoring nearly 350 points in 18 games. She's a bonafide superstar, a playmaker, game-changer, impact piece that can do everything and then some.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bre McCabe - Derryfield (2027)</h2>   <p>One of the best teams in Division II will have two top players returning for this coming season, starting with sophomore Bre McCabe, who was spectacular as a freshman. Really put a lot of people on notice and shined in a great system, scoring in bunches and scoring frequently. Has a lot of versatility in her game as a guard and a forward, utilizing the paint well as well as the perimeter when she needs to.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tia Ferdinando - Derryrfield (2025)</h2>   <p>Completing the dynamic Derryfield duo is Tia Ferdinando, a senior shooting guard with a lot to prove as a senior and a lot that she's already proven over her time with the Cougars. Accomplished guard that has range to her shots. Able to score from a plethora of spots on the floor and guards the perimeter just as well. High-motor, high-energy prospect that plays with her height on her sleeve.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Macy Swormstedy - Laconia (2025)</h2>   <p>While Laconia will be without a great player from last season in Mekhia Burton, what this program does have coming back this season is Swormstedy, one of the highest-scoring guards in the state and among Division II schools. She provides a lot of versatility on the floor as a combo guard, able to play at the 1 or the 2 with ease. A true leader on the floor and someone that can take the game and put it in her own hands to make big plays.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Kayla Smith - Merrimack Valley (2025)</h2>   <p>It's going to be an interesting season for Merrimack Valley after a .500 campaign in the winter and spring. Heading into the season, a big x-factor on this team will be the success of star senior forward Kayla Smith, someone who really took some big steps forward in her game as a junior. Very much the leader of this team, a player that others look up to, and someone that seems to thrive in high-pressure situations.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='387152' first='Lulu' last='Maguire'] - Milford (2025)</h2>   <p>Milford, like Merrimack Valley, was a program that hovered around the .500 mark for the entirety of this past season, finishing at 8-10, but coming back is senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='387152' first='Lulu' last='Maguire'], a player that can score with the best of them and has made a name for herself with her crafty, creative play. High basketball IQ player, a smart player that makes smart plays on the floor, not forcing anything, regardless of the situation.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Vivian O'Quinn - Oyster River (2025)</h2>   <p>One of the better teams among this division will be getting back their signature player in senior guard Vivian O'Quinn, a fantastic scorer who put up all-state numbers as a junior, making the second team. While Oyster River came up short in the postseason earlier this year, they'll have someone who they can build around in O'Quinn to potentially go on a deep postseason run early next year.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sophia Guinazzo - Pelham (2026)</h2>   <p>Time and time again, Guinazzo came up big for Pelham last season, a big reason for their overall success as a program. There was depth on this team and depth is returning, but within that, Guinazzo will be leading the pack as she heads into her junior season. We know the numbers she can put up, we know the production she provides and we're excited to see what this dual threat can do on the floor.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='393474' first='Emma' last='Gillis'] - Sanborn Regional (2026)</h2>   <p>For a team that struggled mightily this past season, Gillis was the opposite of that, scoring nearly 15 points a game while honing in on her craft as a versatile guard. Not listed as a combo guard, but she's more than capable of playing any position up top, driving to the basket or letting it fly from the perimeter. Pesky defender that causes havoc, deflections and turnovers. Smart, yet aggressive on the floor.</p>

We have a new high school girls basketball season rapidly approaching in the New England region, meaning a plethora of players and teams to talk about. We're currently scouring through New Hampshire as the calendar switches to October. Here are some of the top returning prospects among NHIAA Division II schools.