The MIAA season is starting to heat up.
With the holiday season behind us, conference play around the state is beginning to pick up. Last week, we rang in the new year with some big individual performances in marquee league matchups.
This week’s awards, as expected, were difficult to narrow down to five players of the week. The list includes some explosive scoring performances, including one from a freshman, and one player hitting a memorable milestone.
MIAA coaches – a reminder that you are welcome to submit nominations for our players of the week, which we’ll run at the beginning of the week the rest of the winter. Email me at steve.hewitt@basketballjournal.com, or message/tag us on Twitter/X at @steve_hewitt or @nehoopjournal with your submissions.
Let’s dive into this week’s MIAA boys “5 Stars,” from games played Dec. 30-Jan. 5.
Niko Catalano, North Andover
Class of 2025, 6-5 forward
The Scarlet Knights – who advanced to the round of 8 in last season’s state tournament – got off to a 2-3 start against a tough schedule, but Catalano helped right the ship in a big way on Friday. The senior forward scored 20 points to fuel North Andover’s big 51-47 victory over rival Andover.
Brendan McDonald, Somerset Berkley
Class of 2025, 6-0 guard
One of the biggest wins of the week came Friday, when Somerset Berkley knocked off Bourne – a Division 4 state finalist last season – with a massive 66-62 victory in South Coast Conference play. McDonald had his fingerprints all over it, as the Raiders star put up a game-high 24 points with eight rebounds as he reached the 1,000 career points milestone.
Aidan McGrath, North Quincy
Class of 2028, 6-6 wing
Through the first three weeks of the season, McGrath has made a strong case as one of the best freshmen in the MIAA. A long wing with 3-and-D potential, McGrath erupted for 33 points, including 24 in the second half, as North Quincy beat Pembroke on Friday.
Jack Millward, Wakefield
Class of 2026, 6-4 guard
Millward produced his second 40-point outing of the season, scoring 40 – including 18 in the fourth quarter – of Wakefield’s 67-57 victory over Needham.
Tzar Powell-Aparicio, Lowell
Class of 2025, 6-0 guard
After being named MVP of the Greater Lowell Christmas Tournament with 20 points, six rebounds and six assists in the championship game last Monday, Powell-Aparicio followed that up with a 25-point performance in Lowell’s victory over Lawrence on Friday.
Other notable performances: Lynn Classical junior Rolky Brea Arias nearly posted two triple-doubles last week. He came up one assist short with 20 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists in a win over Everett before getting the job done with 24 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists in Sunday’s victory over Revere. …
Attleboro junior guard Connor Houle had 15 points, eight assists and six rebounds in a big overtime victory over Mansfield on Sunday in Hockomock League play. …
Senior Sebastian Garcia went off for 34 points in Notre Dame (Lawrence)’s win over Cristo Rey. …
Xaverian senior guard Manny Duran had 21 points in a win over King Philip before posting 16 points and four steals in a 68-52 victory over Methuen.
