Bishop Guertin freshman point guard Jas Rosario is one of the many building blocks back for the Cardinals next season. (Telegraph file photo by TOM KING)

It was a totally different season in local high school girls basketball than what the area has been used to.

It’s been used to a Bishop Guertin team in a state championship game, but the Cardinals’ cupboard was completely bare after the 2023 title, with changes from the head coach on down.

Instead, only two local teams, Alvirne in Division I and Wilton-Lyndeborough in Division IV made the quarterfinals. But on the flip side, the majority of locals made the postseason, including Nashua High School South and North, both of whom missed it the previous year. Milford and Hollis Brookline both fell in the prelims. Campbell, Souhgan and Merrimack were on the outside looking in.

For Bishop Guertin, it was simply a season of a lot of change, and despite taking a 20-8 early lead at Salem in the prelims, the Cards eventually fell 55-44.

“I credit so much to the girls, the wonderful staff I was surrounded by, they taught me so much,” first-year Guertin coach Olivia Orlando said. “I’m really excited. We obviously came in this year all brand new to each other – all around. Brand new team, brand new staff.

“I’m really excited for this off-season. We have a lot to work on, a lot to build. It’s exciting. The future’s bright.”

That’s because BG is graduating just two, and a nucleus led by the likes of current sophomore Thalia Drapeau and young players like freshmen Holly Dufoe and Jas Rosario – along with several others — should be vastly improved. Drapeau could be a real key.

“The great thing about her is she impacts the game in so many areas – rebounding, facilitating, and she’s a great defensive player as well,” Orlando said.

“We’ll look back on this years from now,” Orlando said. “We’ll be a totally different program, a totally different team, I’m excited for the future.”

So are the Panthers and Titans. Both took their lumps in the first round but lose a combined total of three seniors. Truth be told, the Panthers surpassed expectations with their tourney appearance and really are looking forward to what players like Karina O’Donnell, Nicole De Jesus, Amber Wong, etc. can deliver next year.

“They got to see what it takes to get there, and now what it will take to eventually win on that stage,” Panthers coach John Bourgeois said. “We’re excited for that challenge. This (tourney trip) was a step we needed,and I couldn’t have asked for a better group of kids to rebuild with.”

North, meanwhile, has a ton of returnees, paced by current sophomore Jordan Cottier, junior Nora Ross, freshman Lily Small, etc. All both teams wanted from their postseason trip was the experience.

“That’s all it was about,” North coach Curt Dutilley said. “We’ll need a little more experience getting physical on the boards. When you get into these situations for the first time when you’re young, you don’t see the whole floor, you just see the person in front of you. … If you get a little confidence today, next year, you’ll be ready to play against (tourney competition). … They were excited to play the playoff game, but the messaging coming from the girls was, ‘Can’t wait for next year.'”

The Broncos, meanwhile, had a 10-10 season and will take their upset win in the first round at Goffstown as a huge steppingstone. They lose three seniors, including that game’s hero, Rachel Allard, but bring back some size in 5-10 junior Ella Hartson and backcourt help with sophomore guard Taylor Small, etc.

“I’m proud of my girls,” Alvirne coach Frank Girginis said. “They never quit and gave me everything they had this whole season. They put Alvirne basketball back on the map and I could not be more proud of them for it. The future looks bright.”

That’s the same for the two Division II tourney teams, Hollis Brookline and Milford, who graduate a combined one player – HB’s Julia Robbins. The Cavs have a lot to build from, with six-foot center Anika Carlson to forward Emily Tebbetts, sophomore guard Ana O’Donell, etc.

“I have everyone back but one, so hopefully that will help,” HB coach Heidi Moore said. “I’m very pleased with the girls this season. They’ve overcome a lot of obstacles.”

The Spartans, meanwhile, have everyone back, which is a coach’s dream, right? And hopefully will include arguably their best player going in, Lu Lu Maguire, who suffered a season-ending knee injury during a holiday tournament.

Three years ago Wilton-Lyndeborough wasn’t even a varsity team. And now the Warriors have had two straight tourney appearances, and went 14-6 with a prelim round win before falling at Newmarket in the quarterfinals. It’s been a great rebuild job by coach Tom Crowley, who loses just one senior, Adri Bausha, but certainly could use some more players as the roster was just nine deep.

Meanwhile, Merrimack (Division I), Campbell (Division III) and Souhegan (Division II) all have several returnees as they’ll look to bounce back from tough seasons – especially the Tomahawks, who suffered through the ultimate rebuild of 0-18. They came close, losing to Winnacunnet 51-48, Spaulding 55-51, and gave South a 52-45 fight. Campbell just missed out on a tourney berth (6-10) while the Sabers (3-15) enjoyed a late season two-game win streak that they hope will carry over into next season.

Newsletter