Even after the departure of a strong 2025 class, the MIAA has star talent in all corners of the state this season.
A handful of prospects have committed to Division 1 colleges and more are on a similar trajectory. Sweet-shooting guards, versatile wings and dominant forwards all have a place on this preliminary watch list.
We're a long way from handing out our second MIAA Player of the Year award after the winter season. Wachusett senior Jae Scott will look to back up her award-winning run as a junior. But the beauty of high school basketball is that there's so much room for new names to emerge in the conversation.
That being said. I'm confident these 10 names will be among the state's best.
SETTING THE STAGE:Â MIAA Top 10
Naya Annigeri, Medfield
Class of 2027, 5-8 guard
Annigeri is 2-for-2 in Tri-Valley League MVP awards and state championships since entering high school. She’s a remarkably efficient point guard whose length and timing skills on defense might still be underappreciated. Medfield is a frontrunner to three-peat in Division 2 with Annigeri running the show.
Caitlin Boyle, Bishop Fenwick
Class of 2026, 6-2 forward
NCAA: Stonehill
Boyle stepped into a leading role as a junior, posting 16.7 points and 7.6 rebounds while hitting 55.2 percent of her shots from the field. She’s skilled in the post and a capable 3-point threat, and her size/skill combo makes her one of the state’s toughest matchups. Expect her to help bring the Crusaders back to state title contention with star teammate Celia Neilson.
Tamia Darling, Cathedral
Class of 2026, 5-9 guard/forward
An outstanding vertical athlete, Darling has featured on the Panthers’ last two state title runs. She can outhustle and outleap most opponents on the boards and finishes strong through contact. Darling is also one of several Panthers who slides her feet well and frustrates teams with her defensive ball pressure. She and point guard Keyona Raines form a dynamic duo.
Avery Gamble, Oliver Ames
Class of 2026, 5-7 guard
NCAA: Trinity
Gamble earned an All-MIAA Third Team nod from us after averaging 19.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.4 steals and 2.1 assists. She’s already cleared 1,000 points, and though she’s dangerous behind the arc, Gamble has grown more fearless off the dribble despite being a somewhat smaller guard. She consistently competes throughout games and has opposing coaches’ respect.
Jenna Mishou, Archbishop Williams
Class of 2026, 6-2 forward
NCAA: Merrimack
In her first season at Archbishop Williams, Mishou posted some monster individual games and ended with season averages of 18 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks. She’s a uniquely mobile athlete at her size, and with the Bishops on an upward trajectory, Mishou should be in like to further tap into her potential as a senior.
Mollie Mullen, Bishop Feehan
Class of 2026, 5-9 guard
NCAA: Stonehill
Over her high school career, Mullen has grown from defensive specialist (including 3.2 steals last season) to sharpshooter (38 percent on 3s) to playmaking guard while winning a state championship two years ago with the Shamrocks. Now she seems naturally ready for a big senior season after Feehan graduated much of last year’s rotation.
Elle Orlando, Notre Dame (Hingham)
Class of 2026, 5-6 guard
NCAA: Bentley
Orlando will take over the reins of the Cougars from her older sister Ava, but she has already developed into a talented shooting guard in her own right. She averaged 17 points, eight rebounds 3.5 assists and three steals as a sharpshooter who wasn’t afraid to play physically tough. Orlando has a shot at 2,000 career points.
Maliah Pierre, Whitman-Hanson
Class of 2027, 5-9 guard/forward
Pierre captured Patriot League MVP honors last winter and was part of the dynamic duo with now-senior Dylan Hurley that led Whitman-Hanson to the Div. 2 semifinals. She’s a tremendous team defender with her length and court awareness, and she’s become a bigger off-dribble threat as well. If Pierre hits another level of consistency behind the arc, she’ll be a matchup nightmare.
Jae Scott, Wachusett
Class of 2026, 6-0 guard/forward
NCAA: Tulsa
Our reigning MIAA Player of the Year returns after dazzling during her junior year. Since averaging more than 20 points and 10 rebounds per game, Scott has made her Division 1 decision and further established herself on the AAU circuit. She doesn’t have much more to prove, but she’ll be leading an absolutely loaded Wachusett team.
Zi’Yan Wallace, Springfield Central
Class of 2029, 5-10 guard/forward
For my money, Wallace is the greatest hidden gem in MIAA. She’s capable of overpowering players at her level physically, but she’s really a fluid scorer and playmaker who routinely crosses 20 points. Wallace helped Springfield Renaissance make the Div. 5 title game last winter and has since transferred to Central in Div. 1.
Editor's note: This story originally listed Wallace as a player on Springfield Renaissance. That has since been corrected and edited.
Five more players to know: Bella Bingham (Walpole), Amelia Crowe (Pentucket), Gianah Estevez (Worcester South), Teegan Lanpher (Wachusett), Celia Neilson (Bishop Fenwick)
