There’s still more than a month to go before tryouts and practices begin for the upcoming MIAA boys basketball season, but there’s already plenty of chatter about what should be another exciting winter.
Who are the best players in the state? What teams are expected to contend for state championships? What are the hottest topics being talked about within MIAA heading into the 2025-26? We asked the coaches.
More than 25 coaches participated in our inaugural MIAA boys basketball coaches’ survey, which asked them a series of questions about the state of the league. They were granted anonymity so they could express their opinions more freely, and we’ll be releasing the highlights over four parts leading into the start of the season in December.
Here’s Part 1, focusing on the best and most underrated players in the state.
Who is the best overall player in MIAA? Why?
Central Catholic star Javi Lopez, unsurprisingly, earned the most votes for this question. The reigning Merrimack Valley Conference Player of the Year led the Raiders to a 20-3 record and Division 1 Final Four appearance last season as a junior, averaging 24 points, eight rebounds, four assists and three steals per game. Lopez is already a 1,000-point scorer, which he surpassed on Feb. 4 last season.
“He definitely has one of the best resumes returning,” one coach said. “He is tough and has proven to make winning plays in big games.”
“He is versatile, can score from all three levels and is a tough kid,” another coach added.
Lopez, who played on Mass Rivals’ top 17U team this spring and summer, is also a member of the National Honor Society and is a high-academic prospect being recruited by top Division 3 schools. He’s the complete package.
“No one can stop him from scoring and he’s got a 4.0 GPA to back it up,” one coach said.
The next highest vote-getter was Beverly senior Jacob Klass, who’s arguably the best scorer in MIAA. A selection on our All-MIAA Third Team last winter, the 6-foot-1 guard was named the Northeastern Conference Player of the Year while averaging 24 points per game, which included six 30-point games.
One coach couldn’t choose between Lopez and Klass.
“Both can score at all three levels,” the coach said. “Very tough to stop one on one.”
“Tough four-year player,” one coach said of Klass. “Great program.”
“Complete guard,” another coach said. “Knockdown shooter. Competitor.”
“Jacob is a player that can do everything on the floor, he is the equivalent of a five tool baseball player,” one coach added. “Jacob is an exceptional leader. Jacob is the toughest person in the MIAA to guard when he has the basketball.”
Abington’s Kingston Maxwell received multiple votes. The athletic 6-foot-4 guard, now a senior, was another one of our All-MIAA third team selections after he led the Green Wave to a Division 3 quarterfinal appearance. He averaged 22.5 points and seven rebounds per game while also surpassing 1,000 career points in mid-February.
“Elite athlete whose shot is improving,” one coach said.
“He is a dynamic guard who can score at all 3 levels, and also be a difference maker on defense,” another coach said.
Winchester’s Dawson English earned a nod from one coach. The senior guard was chosen as a Middlesex League All-Star last season after averaging 12 points, five rebounds, two assists and one steal per game – including setting Winchester’s single-season record for shooting percentage at 64.6 percent – and he’s expected to be a major contributor this winter.
“Top contributor in every single aspect of the game, as well as a balanced leader on and off the court, and a role model student athlete,” one coach said.
One coach gave love to Pope Francis’ Sam Brigham. The 6-foot-3 guard averaged 18.3 points, six rebounds and five assists per game to lead Pope Francis to a 21-3 record and No. 3 seed in Division 2 last season.
“Pure shooter, able to change speed and utilize his quickness,” one coach said. “Great guard.”
Other players who received recognition include: Bridgewater-Raynham senior Cason Faulk, who one coach described as a “matchup nightmare”; Burlington’s Matty Gray; Lexington’s Charlie O’Brien; Charlestown’s Jerry Brown and Kamari Day; Holland School of Technology’s Ian Piper; Boston Latin Academy’s Krem Amparo; and Millbury’s Jimmer Donnelly.
Who’s the most underrated player in MIAA? Why?
This question yielded more than a dozen different answers, including several who weren’t previously on my radar and some crossover from the first question. One coach chose Klass, who was viewed as the second-best overall player by the coaches who participated.
“He doesn’t get the respect he deserves despite being considered the second-best player in the MIAA,” one coach said.
Gray also received more recognition on this question. As a junior captain, the 6-foot-6 guard was one of the best two-way players in the MIAA last season with regular-season averages of 16 points, eight rebounds and three assists to go along with his defensive versatility while leading Burlington to the Round of 16 in the Div. 2 tournament.
“If he is not, he should be considered one of the best players in the state,” one coach said. “Versatile player who can handle it and shoot it from distance. He is long, athletic, and should have Burlington going deep into the state tournament.”
Western Mass. was appropriately represented with a vote for Tahir Bey, Springfield Central’s bruising 6-foot-5 power forward who led the Golden Eagles to last season’s Div. 1 Final Four.
“He is a force inside,” one coach said. “Literally unstoppable – cleans the glass and finishes everything. He can handle the ball and facilitate from the big position, shoot it with some range and is very tough on defense.”
Brendan Loewen, whose late heroics led Georgetown to the Division 4 state championship last season, grabbed a vote as one of the most underrated players.
“Makes everyone around him better, pure point guard and leader,” the coach said of the guard. “Gritty and off the charts basketball IQ. Pure winner.”
One coach voted for Ware’s Jack Goodreau, a team player who “tends to get overlooked” in Division 5. Medford’s Tyler Coffill, a standout at August’s Northeast High School Senior Showcase, earned praise for being a strong floor general who can play on or off the ball and impact the game defensively. Masconomet’s Jimmy Farrell, who averaged 18.6 points, 6.1 assists and 2.6 steals as a junior last season while helping the Chieftains reach the Div. 2 Final Four, had a vote.
One coach landed on Millbury’s Jayden Delaleu, a 6-foot-1 guard who averaged 11.1 points and 4.7 assists per game as a sophomore.
“If you don't know him yet, you will,” the coach said. “Very talented and gifted – super high ceiling. Has been injured all summer and fall – he's a player to watch without a doubt. He's not underrated by coaches, but he's not a household name yet.”
Abington’s Tyler Staiti earned a mention; the senior guard is one of the best shooters in the state, having made over 90 3-pointers in each of his first three seasons, including 104 in a single season.
Among the other players recognized as underrated include: Oliver Ames’ Justin Grimaldi, “an elite shooter who’s adding to his game”; North Andover’s Angel Sanchez; Saint John’s Shrewsbury’s Gabe Terlato; and Woburn’s Girmari Francois.
