By DAN BARILE
Eagle Times Correspondent
Fall Mountain, Kearsarge, Newport, and Stevens each earned playoff berths this winter and featured several of the top players in Division III. Fall Mountain leads the way with four members on our All-Eagle Times teams after a 17-2 campaign which resulted in a trip to the state finals.
THE FIRST TEAM
Taylor Fellows, Newport, Senior
Overview: Fellows was the top scorer in Division III this season and helped Newport improve from 3-15 to 15-4 after missing last season due to injury. The senior guard’s 50-point performance against Hinsdale is one that won’t soon be forgotten.
Honors: 1st Team All-State
Sophia Grillone, Fall Mountain, Junior
Overview: Grillone’s presence on both ends of the floor played an essential role in Fall Mountain’s run to the finals. In addition to her aggressive play on the defensive end, Grillone contributed 8.2 points per game and provided top-notch playmaking abilities for the Wildcats.
Honors: All-State Honorable Mention
Zoey Lord, Newport, Junior
Overview: The 5-foot-11 Lord was a force around the basket for Newport and partnered with Fellows to form one of the top duos in the division. The junior forward finished fifth in Division III at 14.9 points per game.
Honors: 2nd Team All-State
Ava Shapiro, Kearsarge, Senior
Overview: Shapiro stepped into the lead scoring role after being one of several capable scorers on last year’s championship squad. The senior sharpshooter scored in double figures on 10 occasions this season and led Kearsarge at 10.2 points per game.
Honors: 2nd Team All-State
Clara Stewart, Fall Mountain, Senior
Overview: Stewart’s return after missing all of last season due to injury played a major role in Fall Mountain’s run to the state title game. The senior guard was both deadly from deep and a force going to the basket while leading the Wildcats at 10.4 points per game.
Honors: 2nd Team All-State
THE SECOND TEAM
Riley Beckwith, Fall Mountain, Junior
Overview: After missing all of last season due to injury, the 5-foot-11 Beckwith provided a significant boost for Fall Mountain on the interior. The junior forward averaged 7.8 points per game and provided a key presence for the Wildcats defensively and on the glass.
Bella Bovell, Stevens, Senior
Overview: Bovell’s prowess on the defensive end helped spark a surprise run to the semifinals after Stevens was the final team to sneak into the Division III playoffs. The senior guard also led Stevens with 7.6 points per game.
Honors: All-State Honorable Mention, All-Defensive Team
Abby Jarvis, Fall Mountain, Junior
Overview: Jarvis has one of the sweetest strokes in the Granite State, often touching nothing but net after releasing her high arcing shot. The junior forward/guard was one of several capable scorers for Fall Mountain this season, averaging 7.6 points per game while also playing a key role as a versatile defender.
Honors: All-State Honorable Mention
Skylar Nelson, Newport, Senior
Overview: Nelson provided a solid third scoring option at 7.2 points per game to complement the dynamic duo of Fellows and Lord. Nelson stepped up during Newport’s second matchup with Stevens by leading the Tigers with 17 points during a 47-41 victory.
Naimah Wilson, Kearsarge, Sophomore
Overview: The sophomore got off to a slow start to the season before blossoming as the season progressed. Wilson scored in double figures in five out of her last six games, including a 19-point outburst in the opening round of the playoffs against Monadnock. Wilson finished the season at 7.1 points per game, but she appears due for a breakthrough next season.
