NHIAA’s Top Early Division II Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are truly in the thick of things already in New Hampshire as the high school girls basketball season has begun. Some fantastic players and performances have already happened to begin the season, and we've done our best to recognize some of the best of the best in this 2024-25 season. It might just be a few games in, but we're in store for some fantastic basketball this winter and spring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='289132' first='Macy' last='Swormstedt'] - Laconia (2025)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What a start it's been to [player_tooltip player_id='289132' first='Macy' last='Swormstedt']'s senior swan song with Laconia, already the leading scorer on her team and in the division, scoring nearly 24 points game. This is far from a shock when watching what this versatile guard can do, scoring in a number of different ways on multiple levels of the game offensively. Game-changing talent in everything she does.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Vivian O'Quinn - Oyster River (2025)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Flat out, O'Quinn was as dominant a player as they come as a junior, scoring over 17 points game while proving quality passing and stellar defense all-around. Really balanced player when it comes to her production and she only seems to be getting better over time. Such has been the case to start out her senior year with Oyster River, very much on track for an all-state season of production.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Anna Fazelat - Derryfield (2028)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>To be on this list already as a freshman means that things have gotten off to a fantastic start. That's quite the understatement for Fazelat, seemingly unfazed by the high school game in the early going. Looks and plays like a natural with intangibles on the defensive side of the basketball. Double-double machine in the making, a nod to her physicality and aggression on the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Alexia Bausha - Milford (2027)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bausha is already pushing the dial as a sophomore for Milford, a team looking to compete amongst the top Division II schools in the NHIAA. Having a playmaker like her, a young, budding star who plays with her heart on her sleeve, going all-out on the floor every time she steps foot on it, is going to do wonders of help for them. Great touch around the rim and even better breakout speed on the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sophia Guinazzo - Pelham (2026)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Despite it being just a few games into the 2024-25 season, Sophia Guinazzo, Pelham's standout junior, has already put herself on the map with some early-season performances. Just coming off as 22-point game in an overtime win, she's able to produce when the lights shine brightest, a great sign for the future. Big crunch-time player, thrives under the spotlight and in pressure situations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Kayla Smith - Merrimack Valley (2025)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The centerpiece in Merrimack Valley's frontcourt, Kayla Smith is building off of an impressive junior season with an even better star to her senior campaign. Let's just say that she's an absolute menace down low on both sides of the ball, a hawk on the boards and a player with great vision able to swat passes or shots away with ease. She's exactly the forward you want on a winning team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Jennifer Noni - COE-Brown (2025)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If there's been one facet of the game that Jennifer Noni has found a way to really excel in over the last few seasons, it's undoubtedly been her defense. Pesky defender who can match up and dominate opponents beyond the perimeter or down low. Versatility plays into her favor in the backcourt for COE-Brown, both a leader and producer who can and has put the team on her back more than once.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Claire Jackson - Bishop Brady (2025)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's not surprising at all to see quite a senior-heavy lineup featured in this article of the best starts among players at Division II schools. Shows the strength of this senior class, but more importantly, it shows how much leadership and a veteran presence makes all the difference for teams. Jackson is a straight baller, arguably the go-to piece on this team, and she's ready for a massive senior send-off</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->