The MIAA boys basketball season is already closing in on the halfway mark next week, but the schedule is just about to heat up.
Marquee matchups are littered across the state over the next six weeks heading into the final day of the regular season on Thursday, Feb. 19. Conference play is in full swing now, and there are plenty of big games that will define those races. Important non-conference matchups could determine seeding in the state tournament and maybe even provide early previews of games we could see in March.
I have my calendar booked with must-see matchups, and we’re aiming to give you a guide of the best matchups to watch for as the season hits the home stretch. We’re cutting off this list to exclude tournaments taking place during the February break, but I have the annual Comcast/Board 27 tournament – which boasts another loaded field featuring Central Catholic, Masconomet and Catholic Memorial – marked down, as well as the Boston City League championship that week.
Here are 10 MIAA boys games that need to be on your radar through the remainder of the regular season. Rankings reflect our MIAA Top 10 that was updated on Jan. 5.
St. John's (Shrewsbury) at No. 5 Malden Catholic
Friday, Jan. 9, 6:30 p.m.
The Lancers are off to an 8-0 start and a 1-0 mark in Catholic Conference play after Tuesday’s dominant 78-46 victory over Xaverian, and this matchup represents their first big test in defending their league championship. The Pioneers began the season 6-0 before a loss Tuesday to BC High, so they should enter this one motivated. The rematch is Jan. 27 in Shrewsbury.
No. 4 Masconomet at No. 6 St. Mary's
Monday, Jan. 12, 6:30 p.m.
Could this be a Division 2 state championship preview? The Chieftains brought back the core from their Final Four team last season and this is their first big test of the season, while the Spartans are 7-0 – as of Jan. 7 – in their first year in Division 2. I’m excited for a matchup on the perimeter between Masco senior guard Jimmy Farrell and St. Mary’s sophomore guard Jake Fortier and in the frontcourt between forwards Jamason Vella and Rolky Brea-Arias.
Springfield Central at Pope Francis
Thursday, Jan. 15, 8:30 p.m.
The two best teams from Western Mass. square off in an exciting midseason matchup. The Golden Eagles fell out of our preseason Top 10 after an early loss to St. Mary’s, but have won four games in a row behind the play of seniors Tahir Bey and Aden Cabrera. Meanwhile, Pope Francis – the No. 3 seed in Division 2 last season – looks like it should be in the mix again after a 6-1 start, with its lone loss coming to St. Mary’s. Senior Sam Brigham, one of the most underrated players in the state, has continued to produce, scoring 23.6 points per game so far.
No. 8 Attleboro at Bishop Feehan
Sunday, Jan. 18, 6 p.m.
Attleboro, the leaders of the Hockomock League with a 5-0 record as of Jan. 8, face one of their toughest non-conference tests when it goes on the road to Bishop Feehan, which has a victory over then-No. 2 Bridgewater-Raynham on its resume to win the Larry Fisher Holiday Tournament. This will include a fun frontcourt matchup between two of the most physical and athletic players in MIAA, Attleboro’s LaDainian Rodrigues and Feehan’s Brody Bumila.
No. 1 Central Catholic at Lowell
Friday, Jan. 23, 6:30 p.m.
This should present the biggest remaining test for Central Catholic in its quest to win the Merrimack Valley Conference again, and I expect Lowell to be hitting its stride at this point of the season. The Red Raiders are 6-1 as of Jan. 8 and have a brutal second-half schedule that includes a game against Beverly at TD Garden on Jan. 18. There should be an electric environment on Jan. 23 when they welcome the top team in the state into their gym.
No. 10 Oliver Ames at No. 7 Bridgewater-Raynham
Sunday, Jan. 25, 1 p.m.
Two Top 10 teams meet in a Sunday matinee non-conference matchup, a game that should prepare both teams for its respective state tournament runs. Another fun guard matchup awaits between Oliver Ames’ Jacob Lok and B-R’s Aiden Pires, while OA’s Justin Grimaldi and B-R’s Cason Faulk bring some scoring star power. I expect this game to be played at a fast pace between two high-powered offenses.
No. 9 Winchester at Lexington
Tuesday, Feb. 3, 5:15 p.m.
There’s a lot to be played before then, but this game could potentially decide the Middlesex League. As of Jan. 8, Winchester had started 5-0 in the league, with Lexington and Arlington tied at 4-1 behind them. Winchester won the first meeting over Lexington, 77-74, so there’s little reason to expect the rematch won’t be highly competitive and close.
No. 4 Masconomet at No. 2 Beverly
Monday, Feb. 9, 7 p.m.
This will be a rematch of the Jan. 16 meeting at Masconomet, and it could decide the Northeastern Conference. Little explanation is required here. Both are preseason top 5 teams in our rankings with state championship aspirations in Division 1 and 2, respectively. There will be no shortage of talent and experience all over the floor, highlighted by the guard matchup between Beverly’s Jacob Klass and Masco’s Jimmy Farrell. This should be an electric matchup.
Holland (Burke) at Cambridge
Wednesday, Feb. 11, 7 p.m.
These Boston-area schools have started the 2025-26 strong; Holland was 6-1 as of Jan. 8 with wins over Charlestown and Portsmouth (N.H.), while Cambridge was 5-2 with a victory over Attleboro. Both of them look to be sleepers in Division 1 (Cambridge) and Division 2 (Holland), respectively.
Norwell at Tewksbury
Tuesday, Feb. 17, 5 p.m.
Division 3 championship preview, anyone? Norwell, after completing an undefeated season last winter, is retooled and looks like a contender again after a 5-1 start, and Tewksbury holds a 5-2 start in its first season in D3. This should be a great appetizer for the state tournament that starts the following week.
