Podcast: Previewing the 2026 MIAA boys basketball tournament with Mukala Kabongo

Greater Lawrence Tech, led by sophomore Amarian Lopes (pictured), is the No. 12 seed in Division 3. (Carlos Flores)

It’s the best time of the year in MIAA basketball. The state tournament is here.

Playoff games have begun around the state and teams across the Commonwealth will begin their championship pursuits throughout the week. That means it’s time to break it all down.

Steve Hewitt and Ethan Fuller invited Mukala Kabongo, one of the most respected voices in MIAA basketball, to preview the 2026 tournament. Kabongo is a freelance reporter and broadcaster who has recorded dozens of MIAA boys basketball games throughout this season on his YouTube channel.

Hewitt and Kabongo provided in-depth analysis of every division in this tournament, including the top teams, players and sleepers to watch. They also made their Final Four and championship picks.

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Highlights

Who’s your pick in Division 3?

Steve: “Salem! We know what we know going into the season — I did not know they would be this good. They’ve been in my Top 10 for the last three or four weeks ever since they beat St. Mary’s, who’s the favorite in Division 2. They’ve emerged as one of the best teams in the state regardless of division. The fun fact: I was doing some research looking at past state champions, but 100 years ago in 1926, the MIAA has Salem listed as the first state champion. … 1926 to 2026, how cool of a story would that be? So maybe they’re a team of destiny, if you will.”

Where do you start with Division 2?

Mukala: “St. Mary’s is the No. 1 seed, and I’ve said it so many times, if you cannot keep Rolky Brea-Arias off that offensive glass, it’s going to be a long day for your team. That kid is relentless. He’s been averaging a double-double all season. I think he had 17 rebounds in a game. He had a triple-double a couple of weeks ago. He’s the engine that makes St. Mary’s go. … On the other side of the bracket, it’s Masco. This is Masco’s year. They were close last year. They had the game but lost down the stretch. I just think Masco has everything. They got the guard in Jimmy Farrell, they got the two bigs in (Thomas) Denton and (Jamason) Vella. Coach Jaycob Morales, he really has them playing hard. I just think this is the year that Masco gets it.”

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