The New Hampshire Basketball Coaches Organization announced its Division III All-State selections on Monday and 16 local players made the cut.
On the boys’ side, Eli Whipple topped the list and was second on the first team. He seemed to will his team to victory each night as the top scorer and a strong defender as a guard. Mascoma senior guard Bryce Ballou was named D-III Player of the Year.
Belmont freshman Evan Martinez and Hopkinton Ben Normand were also named to the boys’ first team after leading their teams to the playoffs. The two were forces to be reckoned with in the paint.
Belmont junior Brody Ennis was named to the second team and to the all-defensive team. Joining him on the second team was Hopkinton junior Jackson Westover. On the defensive team, Hopkinton senior Kyle Buelte made the cut.
Seniors, Belmont guard Wyatt Carroll, Hopkinton forward Kristof Cauley and Kearsarge forward Bragen Kinzer were honorable mentions.
Freshman forward Evan Martinez (5) carried his brother’s paint-scoring legacy with 18 points against Winnisquam. Credit: ALEXANDER RAPP / Monitor 
Hopkinton senior forward Ben Normand elevates to score over St. Thomas’ defense in the D-III quarterfinal on Feb. 21, 2026. Credit: CHIP GRIFFIN / Photos by Chip 
Junior Brody Ennis (12) elevates over Winnisquam’s defense to score in the fourth quarter. Credit: ALEXANDER RAPP / Monitor 
Hopkinton senior Kristof Cauley drives and finishes over Mascoma’s defense in the D-III semifinal. Credit: CHIP GRIFFIN / Photos by Chip 
Kearsarge’s Bragen Kinzer (12) was an honorable mention on the 2026 Division III boys’ basketball all state list. Credit: ALEXANDER RAPP / Monitor 
Hopkinton senior guard Kyle Buelte (15) scored eight points in the first quarter to go ahead against Kearsarge earlier this season. Credit: ALEXANDER RAPP / Monitor
Winnisquam senior Caidyn Carter, made the first team. She reached 1,000 points this year despite her team’s struggles in the win column throughout the past two seasons.
Former Franklin player, junior guard Kourtney Kaplan, was named to the first team as part of Prospect Mountain’s squad. St. Thomas senior Emma Toriello was the D-III Player of the Year.
Hopkinton junior Lexi Korbet led her team in scoring and had quick hands to constantly grab steals. She was named to the second team.
Belmont’s junior Bailey Perkins and freshman Payton Ellis were honorable mentions alongside Hopkinton senior Zoe Bishop and Kearsarge sophomore Madden Huff.
Hopkinton’s Paige Boudette was named to the all-defensive team in her last year as a Hawk, being a steal threat and a solid rebounder.
In terms of coaching awards, Winnisquam’s Richie Perez was named the sub-varsity coach of the year.
Hawks’ junior Lexi Korbet (25) elevates in the paint to score in her team’s 53-40 win over Belmont in the prelims. Credit: CHIP GRIFFIN / Photos by Chip 
Hopkinton junior Lexi Korbet (25) dribbles up court as Kearsarge sophomore Madden Huff (4) applies pressure in the fourth quarter. Credit: ALEXANDER RAPP / Monitor 
Raider freshman Payton Ellis acrobatically lays up a shot against Hopkinton in the Division III preliminary round. Credit: CHIP GRIFFIN / Photos by Chip 
Kearsarge forward Kaelan Finnegan (21) draws an offensive foul on Hopkinton forward Zoe Bishop during the second half of their Tuesday night encounter. 
Kearsarge forward Ociee Ilg goes up against Hopkinton guard Paige Boudette in the second half on Saturday night, February 24, 2024 at Keene State College during the D-III Championship game. Credit: GEOFF FORESTER—Monitor staff