We're in the weeds of the high school basketball offseason and have been occupied by the upcoming AAU live periods. But I've already been brainstorming about the winter girls MIAA season, which should throw the trends of recent seasons into turmoil.
Last year — aside from Wachusett's rebuild-turned-championship run — I had a good grasp on who the top teams would be. The Class of 2025 was so strong, and the returning stars had plenty of postseason experience. The state tournament still brought plenty of drama, but I wasn't stunned by the squads that went far.
That 2025 class is gone, plus some notable prep school transfers, and the balance of power in MIAA girls basketball is shifting. Most of last year's top teams will still contend, but aside from two clear-cut elite teams, there seems to be less certainty. That also means it's a real chance for underrated players and teams to break out.
These are not my set-in-stone Top 10 schools, but here are 10 teams I know return talent that has me excited about their potential.
Bishop Feehan
Last season: 23-4, lost to Wachusett in Div. 1 championship
Last postseason's championship heartbreak ended a stellar multi-year run for a Shamrocks senior core that included Charlotte Adams-Lopez, Maddy Steel, Lily Singer and Sam Carlson. Those players helped establish Bishop Feehan as a program that defended the perimeter and played with pace and poise.
Things will look different next season, but I'm intrigued by the potential on the wing. Mollie Mullen recently announced her Div. 1 commitment to Stonehill. Mullen is a versatile 5-foot-9 guard who defends hard and stockpiles 3-pointers. But her off-dribble scoring is quietly impressive, and I think she's in a great spot as a lead option. Behind her are Shannon LaMorticelli and Addison Frenette, two similarly-sized players who compete with a high motor.
Bishop Fenwick
Last season: 10-12, lost to Foxboro in Div. 2 Round of 16
I really want to get a closer look at the Crusaders during the Wally Seaver Invitational. Last winter was an expected re-tooling year for Fenwick, which had moved up to Div. 2 two years ago (and is now back in Div. 3). But rising seniors Caitlin Boyle and Celia Neilson have both generated Division 1 college interest, and I don't think I've given them enough credit for their talent and production. We need to learn more about the supporting cast returning, but I expect a bounce-back winter.
Braintree
Last season: 21-3, lost to Wachusett in Div. 1 semifinals
Braintree was one of the best stories in the state last year, collectively breaking out under second-year coach Kelley Macdonald and taking down Woburn in a Div. 1 quarterfinal thriller. I frankly didn't have this roster on my radar at all entering the winter, but Salve Regina-bound Frankie Spadorcia spearheaded a 10-win increase from the previous season.
Spadorcia's graduation leaves a massive hole in the paint. But Braintree has a steady floor general and tough defender back in rising senior Frankie Mazzini. Eva Downing (2027 guard) also emerged as a big-time shotmaker last season and could be on the verge of a leap. This program looks back and sustainable as a Div. 1 contender.
Cathedral
Last season: 19-5, won Division 4 championship
After dominating Division 4 for years and 3-peating the last three winters, Cathedral moves up to Division 3. The change also comes on the heels of a massive graduated senior class, including all-MIAA Second Team guard Hijjah Allen-Paisley (now at Franklin Pierce) along with Malani Smith and several other contributors.
But it's still easy to believe in a seamless transition. Clinton Lassiter is the state's all-time winningest basketball coach by titles (seven). Keyona Raines is one of the top guards and perimeter defenders in the state, and fellow rising senior Tamia Darling started her breakout last year. Even in a better division, the Panthers are immediate title contenders.
Medfield
Last season: 23-2, won Division 2 championship
The Warriors are one of the state's basketball factories, seemingly churning out talent year after year under head coach Mark Nickerson. They're two-time reigning Div. 2 champs and posted the largest margin of victory in state championship history last March, finishing atop our final Top 10 ranking.
Medfield only graduated two seniors but did also lose Izzy Kittredge (transfer to Nobles), the star of last year's postseason. The Warriors still have two of the state's best back in All-MIAA Second Team guard Naya Annigeri and versatile guard Tess Baacke. We got to see Abigail Broderick break into the starting lineup as a freshman, and I'm sure Medfield has another young rising star up its sleeve.
Oliver Ames
Last season: 13-8, lost to Dartmouth in Div. 2 Round of 16
The Hockomock League is consistently one of the better conferences in the state, but Foxboro has run it in recent years. Despite graduating most of its stars, Foxboro should contend again, but King Philip, Mansfield and Oliver Ames each feel like worthy challengers — and I buy OA as one of my favorite sleepers.
I like the Tigers' rising seniors a lot. Avery Gamble took a monster leap last season and should ascend to be one of the MIAA's top guards. Maeve Horsman is a hustle queen who can finish around the basket, fight for rebounds and knock down outside shots. Mary Rhodes competes so hard for her 4-foot-11 size. The theme with the Tigers is motor and they only graduated two players from last season.
North Quincy
Last season: 20-4, lost to Medfield in Div. 2 semifinals
Behind the leadership of Liana Cunningham, our MIAA Coach of the Year, North Quincy surged to its first state semifinal appearance ever, finished atop a strong Patriot League and snuck into No. 10 on our final Top 10. The balance on this young Raiders squad (sophomore Maeve Powers led with 12.9 points per game) makes the season even more impressive.
North Quincy will have to make some adjustments after Powers transferred to Dexter Southfield and Jen Xue, a sweet-shooting freshman off the bench, transferred to Milton Academy. But A'laya Colbert flew under the radar at center last season, as did Tabby McDonough and Nora Geary. All three return as juniors.
St. Mary's
Last season: 25-3, won Division 3 championship
Next winter represents a significant shift for a St. Mary's team that has been among the state's powerhouses for most of the last decade. The Spartans are moving up to Division 2 after winning three of the last four Div. 3 titles. They graduated two college-bound starters in Reese Matela and Juliana Conte. But most notably, Bella Owumi, the No. 32 ranked player nationally in the 2027 class, has transferred to Tilton along with starting point guard Lily Norton.
This is going to be one of coach Jeff Newhall's more inexperienced rosters in recent memory, but it's still talented. SySy Mcausland Emmanuel earned rotation minutes as an eighth-grader last winter, as did forward Charleigh Green as a freshman. Jillian Roberts is an underrated wing with a knack for clutch buckets.
Wachusett
Last season: 24-1 record, won Div. 1 championship
The long-lasting bridesmaids of Div. 1 finally earned their championship in thrilling fashion last winter. Wachusett didn't lose a game in-state and I expect the Mountaineers to be even better next season. Jae Scott, our MIAA Player of the Year as a junior, is the no-doubt best player in MIAA and a potential high-major college prospect. She's flanked by perhaps the best returning backcourt duo in Sophie Gibbons and Teegan Lanpher. And absolutely do not underestimate rising sophomore center Kyla Yurkus. Wachusett is the clear favorite in Division 1 already.
Whitman-Hanson
Last season: 17-8, lost to Worcester South in Div. 2 semifinals
I called the Panthers a sleeper team last season, then proceeded to sleep on them myself as they overcame some early struggles and upset second-seeded Dartmouth in the Div. 2 quarterfinals. Dylan Hurley flies under the radar as a playmaking point guard and Maliah Pierre could be one of the MIAA's better two-way wings next winter. Coach Michael Costa does a good job developing players who contribute to team defense and chip in points when needed. As of this early writing, I'm in on Whitman-Hanson as a real contender in Div. 2.
Five more intriguing teams: Needham, Norwell, Springfield Central, Worcester South, Woburn
