As winter approaches, so does another season on the hardwood, and high school boys basketball teams throughout the Granite and Green Mountain states are hard at work preparing for competition.
Among those squads are the Thetford Academy Panthers, who suffered just three losses last season en route to a VPA Division III State Championship.
As his squad prepares to defend its title, Panthers’ Head Coach Jason Gray said he has been telling his team that they cannot come into this season assuming they are just as good as last year, citing the graduation of some players.
Thetford boys basketball Head Coach Jason Gray instructs his team during practice in Thetford, Vt., on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025. the 2024 defending Division III champions, practice in Thetford, Vt., on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025. JAMES M. PATTERSON / Valley News
“I also keep telling them that it’s not that we have the best basketball players — we have good athletes,” said Gray. “Good athletes make any sport better.”
Gray expanded on his messaging to the team, noting that they do not have a superstar.
“We need to have five to seven guys that can go out, play ball, do what they’re supposed to do, don’t try to do too much, and hopefully at the end of the year we’re sitting there on top again,” he said.
Key returners for the defending champions include Sam Parkman, Connor Sloop, Matthew McGovern, Braxton Adams, and Liam Brooks.
“Five or six of the guys coming back that were on the team last year. Of course, they were a part of the championship team, so they know what’s going on,” Gray said. “They definitely have their heads on their shoulders and (are) looking forward to this year.”
Thetford will also have some new blood on its roster this season, including Ollie Emery, Marshall Osgood, and Miles Lawrence. Xander Oshoniyi, who Gray said has been on the team in previous years, will also join the squad this season.
Thetford senior XAnder Oshoniyi, 18, shoots during practice in Thetford, Vt., on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025. The Panthers are preparing to defend their 2024 Division III title this season. JAMES M. PATTERSON / Valley News
“I’m kind of excited to see what the underclassmen can bring to the seniors,” Gray said.
Thetford’s head coach said his team had its first practice recently and he “saw some good things.”
Thetford Academy junior Oliver Emery, 16, turns to sprint back to the baseline during a running drill during Panthers basketball practice in Thetford, Vt., on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025. JAMES M. PATTERSON / Valley News
“I feel like we’re in a position where there’s a bunch of guys that play well together and it’s just going to take a couple of days to get everybody acclimated to know who does what, where, when, how,” Gray said.
Gray said he has already seen buy-in from his team as it prepares for a title defense, which begins against White River Valley at home on Dec. 16.
Elsewhere in Upper Valley, coaches have set their rosters and the expectations for the for the season:
Hanover
The Bears, who finished 17-3 in the regular season last year and fell in the NHIAA Division II quarterfinals to Oyster River, return much of their firepower this season, as they graduated only two players.
Roy Lucas, Allie Muirhead, and Wyatt Daigle, who were captains last season, return. Colin McLaughlin, who stepped into the starting lineup at times when some of his teammates had injuries, also returns.
Head Coach Denver Greene highlighted his team’s experience, noting that his bench includes players with varsity experience, such as Jack Lobb.
“There’s a really nice contingent of seniors that have been really battle-tested, and they know the expectations,” Greene said. “They know how we operate day-to-day, and we’re ready to attack the season.”
Even with that experience, Greene indicated some younger players could provide some help this season, such as Cooper Sobel and EJ Frechette.
Success starts with defense for the Bears.
“I think a lot of high school teams, especially in New Hampshire, the shooting woes can occur at any second — it’s not super consistent,” Greene said. “So, especially with us, if we’re strong defensively, that’s going to keep us in games.”
The Bears opens the season on the road against Pelham on Dec. 12.
Hartford
A young Hurricanes squad, which finished the regular season last year 17-3, but came up short in the VPA Division II Semifinals against eventual champion Harwood, is coming back for more with experience under their belts.
Last season, Hartford had no seniors, but that means it has the luxury of returning most of its team.
Some key returnees include Noah Danieli, Ryan Murphy, Noah Jenks, and Kole Fotion, whom Head Coach Mike Gaudette said he has received calls from Division III colleges about.
“They’ve been on varsity for a few years; they are really good basketball players,” Gaudette said.
Gaudette is also hopeful that some of the younger players on his squad, like Rex Baning and Joey Gardner, will be able to step up and make an impact this season.
“It’s been a long time since we’ve had this much talent,” Gaudette said. “We’ve always had good players, but it’s pretty remarkable, and the kids are hungry.”
While Gaudette acknowledged that expectations are high, he lauded his squad’s maturity.
“They were here all summer, and they want to be coached,” he said. “I think they’re ready to take that next step.”
The Hurricanes’ pursuit of a state championship begins at home against Oxbow, Dec. 12.
Lebanon
Blendon Salls’ squad had a tough time in the wins-and-losses column last season, missing the playoffs with a 3-15 record, but with a decent crop of returners, the program has its sights set on a postseason appearance.
“We worked really hard last year,” Salls said. “Our record wasn’t great, but the one thing we talked about — and the kids are the ones who really keep bringing it up — is we had six games that were within five points that we lost.”
Some key returners who will look to use their experience to turn last year’s close losses into wins include Miles Saunders, Nehemiah Billings, Tyler Ranney, Elliot Brandis, Liam Sullivan and Ethan Gray.
“All of those kids are going to play really key roles of being senior-, junior-leaders who have played a bunch of minutes in the last year,” Salls said.
Chris Mascean and Kevin Harkins are two players Salls indicated could see increased minutes and help with rebounding. Judah Billings is also poised to help inside.
Similarly, Ian Danen and Ian George are players who could help with ball-handling and shooting. The Raiders’ lone newcomer is Jacob Grace, whom Salls hopes will develop into a point guard.
“We’re looking forward to the season,” Salls said. “We have a lot of returning players; we had a good summer working together.”
Lebanon’s season tips off at home against Kingswood on Dec. 12.
Mascoma
The Royals, who finished the regular season last year 16-1 and made a run to the NHIAA Division III semifinals before falling to Kearsarge, bring back a lot of experience.
Head Coach Silas Ayres’ squad will have 11 seniors this season. Among the key returners are Bryce Ballou, Brayden Pierce, and Colin Meyers, who all started for the Royals last season.
Aidan Hemmerling, Mascoma’s sixth man last season, Connor Hemmerling, Declan Lyons, and Dylan Cannon also return. As for some newcomers, Kyle Rostron and Bryce Porter join the varsity squad.
Ayres said he feels “pretty good” about his team heading into the season and feels even better about his team than in past years.
“This team — they’re picking up on stuff … early on a lot quicker than teams I’ve had in the past,” he said.
He also said that his team plays well together, adding, “If we can make another final four run, I think that would be a successful season for us.”
The Royals open the season at home against Newfound on Dec. 15.
Newport
The Tigers, who finished 13-5 in the regular season and fell to Mascoma in the quarterfinals of the NHIAA Division III playoffs, welcome a new head coach in Ethan Houde.
Houde is entering his first season ever as a varsity basketball head coach after serving as an assistant for Robert Clark, who previously coached the team.
“I think it’s a great group of kids,” House said of his squad. “I’m excited to see them work hard, I’m excited to see them improve.”
Adrian Sanchez, Connor Clark, Aidan Couitt, Cam Nerenburg, Brycen Flewelling, and Kevin Earthrowl all return for Newport.
Houde acknowledged that his squad lost some stars in Aaron Fellows and Christian Forsythe, but emphasized they “have a solid base” with their returning players.
The Tigers will also have some newcomers who could contribute, including Ayden Hodge, Cory Richardson, Josh Seymour, Jordan Sayer, and Jaxson Lord.
Houde’s biggest emphasis entering this season is building a culture.
“Newport’s a pretty hard-working place, and I want them to tap into that and really use that identity for our basketball team and work hard,” he said.
The Tigers will head to Kearsarge to open their season on Dec. 12.
Oxbow
The Olympians are coming off a season in which they picked up six wins and were bounced in the first round of the VPA Division III playoffs, but will look to build on their performance as they return four starters.
Those returning starters include Griffin Pike, Jayden Huntoon, Jaxon Griffin, and Kobin Ellsworth. Johnny Smith also returns to the squad.
Despite the solid number of players returning this season, Head Coach Jesse Ellsworth said his team will also welcome seven players — a combination of juniors and sophomores.
“We’re looking at those younger guys to give us a little bit of a push,” Ellsworth said.
This season, Ellsworth wants to play at a faster pace after losing some size to graduation.
Ellsworth also pointed out that this season will be a bit bittersweet, as he and his brother, Matt Ellsworth, who is an assistant coach, have been coaching this same group of upperclassmen since the AAU days.
“This whole group has been together playing basketball for quite a while,” said Ellsworth, adding that despite the bittersweetness, he is excited for his older players.
The Olympians tip off on the road against Hartford on Dec. 12.
Rivendell Academy
After winning just one game last season and falling in the VPA Division IV playoffs in the first round, the Raptors are looking to grow.
“Last year, we were a very young team, definitely. We’re young still, but I am excited by the growth I’ve seen in our group,” said Head Coach Andy Perkins.
Nolan Bourn, Evan Woodward, Josh Douglas, and Bryson Gilman return for the Raptors. Kale O’Donnell, Ty O’Donnell, Toby Sensalla, and Kaleb Harris make up the newcomers.
Perkins said he was looking forward to seeing the work his players put in during the offseason. He added that as a team, they will focus on limiting turnovers.
The Raptors begin the season at home against Blue Mountain on Dec. 17.
The Sharon Academy
The Phoenix, who had just one win last season and fell in the first round of the VPA Division IV playoffs, are looking to turn things around.
Head Coach Ben Lacaillade said his team will return one senior, three juniors, and five sophomores. His squad also brings in four freshmen.
“We’re starting to build a program that’s been kind of empty the past four or five years,” Lacaillade said, adding that they are trying to form a junior varsity team this season, which he said would do wonders.
“Last year, I had nine players, and five of them were freshmen, and they took a lot of lumps playing at a varsity level when they probably weren’t ready for that level,” Lacaillade said.
Lacaillade explained that keeping games close going into the fourth quarter and learning how to win close games are focuses for his squad this season, which can help them take the next step toward winning more games.
The Phoenix begin their season at Long Trail on Dec. 12.
Stevens
After falling to Mascoma in the first round of the NHIAA Division III playoffs and finishing the regular season 4-12 last year, Cardinals Head Coach Matthew Dancosse says he has a squad eager to win.
Among the players returning from last season looking to pick up some more wins are Owen Wilkinson, Jacoby Roberts, and Oliver Stone, all of whom were starters. Justin McGuire, who came off the bench last season, also returns.
Dancosse also mentioned that his team is in a unique spot, considering it does not have any seniors. But he emphasized that since he has been with the Cardinals for three years, all of his players have a sense of what he is looking for on the court.
“Everyone that is with us understands what we’re trying to do,” he said.
Additional players Dancosse said could be impactful for the Cardinals include Tyson DiPaola, who played for Newport last season, and others such as Carter Bastian, Holden Tallman, Gabe Brown, and Sawyer Loiselle.
Dancosse said he thinks his team wants to compete and get better.
“I think they enjoy being around each other,” he said. “I’m looking forward also to building a winning culture.”
Stevens tips off on the road against Hillsboro-Deering on Dec. 12.
White River Valley
The Wildcats are coming off a strong season last year in which they lost just one game. However, that loss came at a difficult time — the VPA Division III semifinals — against the eventual runner-up, Hazen.
Jordan Barcomb, Jacob Benoit, and Dawson Poland are returners from last season, part of a squad that Head Coach DJ Craven acknowledged is young this year.
Craven was also able to talk a couple of players who had previously played basketball at the high school into rejoining the team, such as Ty Couture.
He is also hopeful that Charles Young, a swinger from last season, can make some noise for the team.
“We are in a rebuild,” Craven said, noting that he lost four seniors, one of whom was a 1,000-point scorer. “It’s a rebuild, even though I’ve got a few seniors on the team, they’re in the overall scheme of things, young seniors in the varsity aspect of it.”
Craven added that he would be happy with a .500 record given the tough schedule his squad faces, and hopes for a home playoff game.
“We’re trying to build grit, we’re trying to establish ourselves with our own identity from years past,” Craven said.
The Wildcats’ season tips off against Woodstock on Dec. 12.
Windsor
The Yellow Jackets come off what Head Coach Larry Dougher called a “disappointing” season in which they finished 3-17 and lost to Thetford in the first round of the VPA Division III playoffs.
Despite that, Dougher said, “We could be a surprise to some this year.”
Among the players returning this year are Isaac Becker and Kobin Shute, who were both in the top five in minutes played last season. Oden Cramer and Turtle Petschke also come back.
The Jacks also bring in several new faces, which include Lucas Renninger, Effie Reovan, Andrew Talylor, Finn Williams, Jack Burke, Silas Dougher, Nolan Morse, and Nathan Nissenbaum.
“Our success hinges on two things: staying healthy and committing to ‘Windsor Basketball’ every single day. If we do that, regardless of the results of our early games, we will be a tough team to beat by the end of the season,” Dougher said.
The Jacks open their season at home against Woodstock on Dec. 16.
Woodstock
The Wasps finished last regular season at 14-6 but ran into Thetford in the quarterfinals of the VPA Division III playoffs and were narrowly beaten by three.
However, Woodstock will have pretty much everyone back this season after losing just one senior.
Elvis Lavallee and Caleb Sammel, both of whom were among the top scorers for the Wasps last season, headline the returning members of the squad.
“We’re solid at all five positions, so I am excited,” Head Coach Scott Brooks said. “We’ve got a good nucleus of guys coming back, and we’re excited.”
While Woodstock has a bunch of players returning, Brooks said a couple of incoming sophomores will add to his team’s depth.
“If we stay focused on defense, staying connected as a team, have some luck, stay injury free, I think this team has a ton of potential,” Brooks said.
Brooks lauded his team’s coachability and noted that some more formidable opponents have been added to the schedule to prepare his squad for a playoff run.
“We continue to get a little better every year, and that’s my goal this year with this team,” Brooks said. “I think it’s plausible with what we have coming back.”
The Wasps take on White River Valley on Dec. 12 to begin the season.