Could there be some new boys basketball squads claiming glory in Massachusetts in 2025?
Three of the top four divisions in the MIAA saw repeat champions – Worcester North in Division 1, Malden Catholic in Division 2 and Wareham in Division 4 – in 2024. But across every division, there has been some significant turnover this spring. Some of the top players in MIAA have changed schools, others have graduated. Other key players will return for their senior seasons this fall, hoping for one more chance at a championship.
While the best talent in boys basketball on the amateur level rests in New England primarily rests in the NEPSAC, the MIAA still boasts plenty of talent and some exciting teams ready to make some noise in 2024-25.
It’s certainly early, but here are five boys teams to keep an eye on this winter.
Worcester North
Last season: 24-0, Division 1 state champion
The Polar Bears just reeled off a historic two-year run that included 45 consecutive victories and back-to-back state championships. But a three-peat will be challenging.
Among the top schools experiencing turnover next season, North might have the most as it lost five of their best players. Amir Jenkins, one of the best 2026 prospects in New England, took his talents to Worcester Academy in the NEPSAC, Teshaun Steele went to Darrow School for a post-graduate season, Khari Bryan transferred to Proctor Academy, and Joe Okla and Jayden Kusi-Sarkodie graduated. Head coach Al Pettway is also gone after taking the head-coaching job at Worcester State. Keyshon Joyner, a promising sophomore guard, will return for the Polar Bears, but how the program rebuilds after their dominant stretch will be one of the biggest MIAA storylines this fall.
Franklin
Last season: 25-2, lost Division 1 state championship to Worcester North, 59-53
Franklin led by nine in the second half of last season’s state final before a heartbreaking finish at Worcester North raced back to swipe the crown. It marked the Panthers’ only loss to a team from Massachusetts last season as they posted the third-best rating in MIAA.
Like North, it will be challenging for Franklin to reach that level again as they graduated several key players, including Hockomock League MVP Sean O’Leary. But they return Caden Sullivan, who scored 24 points in the state final and was an all-scholastic honorable mention in both the Globe and Herald last season. He’ll be one of the top seniors in MIAA, and along with rising junior Justice Samuels, the Panthers will be looking for some redemption.
Malden Catholic
Last season: 16-9, Division 2 state champion
Don’t let their record fool you. Despite going 11-9 in the regular season, the Lancers earned the No. 1 seed in the Division 2 state tournament by virtue of the fourth-best rating and hardest strength of schedule in MIAA before rolling to their third consecutive state title. Expect them to be in the mix to pull off a four-peat. Matt Gaffney, their do-it-all star point guard who’s earning Division 1 college interest, is back with junior big man and inside anchor Ben Howard to lead the Lancers’ chance at history.
Bourne
Last season: 23-2, lost Division 4 state championship to Wareham, 86-71
The Canalmen made a magical run to the state championship for the first time since 1959 before getting blown out by a Wareham team they had beaten in the regular season. Better news? Wareham will say goodbye to the core of its back-to-back state championship team, which can open the door for Bourne. The Canalmen will return their two best players, rising seniors Nathan Reynolds and Mike Dankert, who will make them the favorites in the South Coast Conference and a frontrunner in Division 4.
Burke
Last season: 19-5, lost in Division 4 semifinals to Bourne, 71-60
Joe Chatman stepped in suddenly last summer to become Burke’s head coach after Sean Ryan left to take the head-coaching job at Austin Prep. Tasked with maintaining the success Ryan built over the last decade, Chatman didn’t disappoint in his first season. While Burke didn’t defend its City League title, the Bulldogs advanced to the state semifinals in March, and they’ll certainly have high hopes this winter. Chatman returns two of his best players in Jaeden Roberts and Jasaad Fenton, who will make Burke a favorite in Division 4. Roberts, who turned heads after a junior season in which he averaged 27 points and five assists per game, will be one of the best players in MIAA next season.
Five more teams to monitor
Newton North (Division 1), Lowell (Division 1), Charlestown (Division 3), Newburyport (Division 3), Wareham (Division 4)
