It’s never too early when it comes to the ever competitive New Hampshire high school girls basketball field.

A tweet went out from the Manchester Memorial girls basketball program late Tuesday morning that stated “Only five days into the offseason and already five teams have committed to our third annual Summer League.”

Thus the off-season planning has begun. Even just a half hour after his team won its fourth consecutive Division I title, Bishop Guertin coach Brad Kreick was asked about next year – not only would his team, made up nearly entirely of underclassmen, would stay together but also who else would challenge.

And that’s the question in Division I: If the Cardinals stay together, will anyone post a challenge?

One Division I team to watch again next year may be Merrimack.

Coach Courtney Cheetham’s team has lost in the tournament four straight years to teams that made the finals, so eventually you would think the Tomahawks will knock that door down. Why not next year, with 11 of 12 back, including All-State sophomore guard Theresa Twardosky? Plus the ‘Hawks won the Division I Junior Varsity Tournament. The ‘Hawks had a high tryout number and Cheetham says “We expect those numbers to rise for next season.”

Is there anyone out there who can challenge the

Cardinals?

“Memorial graduates one kid, Pinkerton’s always deep, Bedford’s got a bunch of kids coming back, Salem’s got a bunch of kids coming back,” Guertin coach Brad Kreick said.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if they make it five in a row,” Cheetham said, “but I do think there will be teams that give them some

competition.”