There is no rest for the MIAA during the holidays.
Most of the state stayed active through winter vacation with small tournaments scattered around. It gave the stars of the region a chance to earn accolades when the stakes slightly raised from typical regular season games. Many of this week's standouts won tournament MVP awards, plus a few additional top performers.
Coaches and players are welcome to submit nominations by emailing Ethan Fuller at ethan.fuller@basketballjournal.com or by messaging him on Twitter/X (@ethman43).
Here are this week’s stars from Dec. 26-Jan. 4. Now that we're in the typical season cadence, expect MIAA stars of the week to run regularly on Mondays.
GEARING UP:Â 10 games to watch in 2026
Bella Bingham, Walpole
Class of 2026, 5-9 forward
NCAA: Fairfield (soccer)Â
Bingham opened the Sue Rivard Tournament with a 24-point, 10-rebound double-double to help Walpole win a 56-53 thriller against Oliver Ames. Then she tallied 11 points in an ultimate 40-39 defeat in the championship against Bishop Fenwick.
Kayla Dunlap, Natick
Class of 2028, 6-0 forward
Dunlap earned MVP of the Commonwealth Motors Christmas Classic as the Redhawks came out on top in the marquee tournament at Merrimack College. She scored 25 points twice in the first two rounds, then finished with 10 points and six steals in the championship game, a 57-41 victory over Andover.
Victoria Fish, Milton
Class of 2026, 5-10 forward
NCAA: Holy Cross (softball)
Fish used 24 points to help the Wildcats triumph in the championship of their home holiday tournament, taking down Dartmouth in a 56-52 battle.
Hailey Flynn, Duxbury
Class of 2026, 5-6 guard
Flynn powered undefeated Duxbury to victory in the Sandwich Invitational Tournament championship, using 17 points to claim MVP and help the Dragons beat host Sandwich, 40-24.
Deb Kisekka, Lowell
Class of 2026, 5-6 forward
With 24 points against Arlington and 12 against Waltham, Kisekka won Waltham Holiday Tournament MVP as undefeated Lowell prevailed in two one-possession games to capture the championship.
Samia Lalikos, Masconomet
Class of 2027, 5-9 forward
Lalikos registered two huge double-doubles: 22 points and 14 rebounds against Manchester Essex, then 21 points and a whopping 23 rebounds against Springfield International, helping Masconomet nab two wins.
SySy Mcausland Emmanuel, St. Mary's
Class of 2029, 5-8 guard
Emmanuel averaged 18.7 points across three St. Mary's victories against Dracut, Archbishop Williams and Mansfield, part of a 4-0 winter break run that keeps the No. 8 Spartans at a perfect 7-0.
Alana McNamara, Archbishop Williams
Class of 2028, 5-11 forward
McNamara spearheaded the Bishops' 58-51 championship victory against a quality Braintree team in the Cohasset Holiday Tournament, using 19 points in a double-double effort to earn MVP honors. She also added 13 points in 12 rebounds in a 67-55 loss to St. Mary's on Friday.
Celia Neilson, Bishop Fenwick
Class of 2026, 6-0 guard
Neilson captured MVP honors in the Crusaders' victorious run at the Sue Rivard Tournament. She posted 17 points, five assists and five steals against Silver Lake, then got close to a quadruple-double against Walpole with nine points, seven rebounds, seven assists and 10 steals. Neilson also racked up 11 points, nine rebounds and four assists in Friday's 45-35 win against Tewksbury.
Katelyn Troilo, Mansfield
Class of 2026, 5-6 guard
Troilo erupted for a career-high 27 points on Friday, steering the Hornets to a 69-26 rout against Stoughton.
Ava Vitti, Ashland
Class of 2027, 5-10 forward
Vitti used 21 points to propel the Clockers in a 55-52 thriller against Sharon in their home Clocker Classic, taking the tournament MVP award in the process.
Sofiah Wightman Kraus, Hopkinton
Class of 2026, 5-10 forward
The Korbey Tournament MVP logged 21 points in the first round against Medford, then added 10 in the championship against Milford, helping Hopkinton remain undefeated at 5-0.
