Every year, a typical cluster of powerhouse programs reside atop MIAA girls basketball. But I have fun trying to discover the breakout teams.
Last year, such examples included Andover, who totally caught me off guard with a Division 1 semifinal run. Minnechaug took down some of the best teams in the state as a surprise Div. 2 contender from Western Mass. Pittsfield reached its first state championship game since 2002.
I feel confident I know the best of the best in the MIAA this year, but there's a lot of uncertainty after the top 10-ish teams.
For this exercise, I'm throwing darts at eight schools in the top three divisions who did not reach the quarterfinals of the state postseason last year. With the help of their top returners, they should be in line for breakout seasons and extended playoff success.
Archbishop Williams
Last year: Lost to St. Mary's in Div. 2 Round of 16
Archbishop Williams took a nice step forward last year in head coach Sarah Behn's second season. Though Jenna Mishou is now at Merrimack, the Bishops still have some strong returning talent headlined by Alana McNamara (Quincy, Mass.). I think the junior forward will be among the many 2028 MIAA breakouts this season after averaging 15 points and 10 rebounds as a sophomore. Keep an eye on growth from classmate Alessandra Cautili (Medway, Mass.) too.
Brookline
Last year: Lost to Acton-Boxboro in Div. 1 Round of 32
I don't know enough yet about how Brookline will fill out its guard spots after graduating a couple of key seniors. But I do believe that junior forward Skylar Makalusky is one of the most underrated players I watched all offseason, both within her Shooting Touch grassroots program and at this MIAA level. She is a long, mobile, impactful defender and driving scorer. The Bay State Conference will be balanced and tough again, but I think Brookline is a sleeper pick in that league.
East Bridgewater
Last year:Â Lost to Pembroke in Div. 3 Round of 16
After Bishop Fenwick and Pittsfield both graduated stars from their teams, Division 3 looks totally wide open for the first time in several years. East Bridgewater should be in the conversation for a playoff run with the duo of senior Jenna Oman and junior Jackie Pohl leading the way. The Vikings are typically one of the better teams in the South Shore League and are in great position to assert themselves this year.
Greater New Bedford
Last year: Lost to Cathedral in Div. 3 Round of 16
Here's my deep cut of the list. Make sure you know Greater New Bedford, and specifically Brandeis commit Jai-ana Silva. The senior guard and South Coast Conference MVP has a shot at 2,000 career points. The Bears lost to Cathedral, usually a state powerhouse, by a respectable 72-56 score in the state tournament. I think if the bracket breaks right and Silva is on a roll, this team could surprise a lot of people.
Hingham
Last year: Lost to Medfield in Div. 2 Round of 16
The Patriot League looks strong this year and we have two conference members on this list. Hingham had the misfortune of running into Medfield early in the state tournament, but it beat a quality Arlington Catholic before capping a strong regular season. Center Eileen Lowther is poised to dominate her senior season and classmate Kate McBride is back as a top scoring option. Hingham could be the top team in its league and a contender for a deep run in Division 2.
North Attleboro
Last year: Lost to Oliver Ames in Div. 2 Round of 16
There's a lot of buzz out of the Hockomock League that North Attleboro, who isn't typically a league leader, might be the best this winter. Julia Feid won Hockomock Sports Coach of the Year in her first season, leading the Red Rocketeers to the Div. 2 Round of 16 and a 48-47 defeat against league rival Oliver Ames.
The entire starting five is back. They're led by 6-foot-1 junior Jordan Egan who I expect to be one of the top forwards in the MIAA this season. Classmate Bella Houghton joined Egan as a league All-Star last winter. In general, this group has impressive size and continuity.
Quincy
Last year: Lost to Natick in Div. 1 Round of 16
The Presidents have a new head coach this year in Taylor Sturtevant, who has been in Quincy's basketball pipeline for a while as a girls volunteer assistant and boys JV coach. If Sturtevant connects with this roster, Quincy has the talent to level up in Division 1. Gabby Davis made a splash as a freshman point guard and sophomore year is often when we see big jumps. She'll have guard experience around her with seniors Frankie Diaz and Rory Kennedy.
Woburn
Last year: Lost to Needham in Div. 1 Round of 16
The Tanners, despite their early exit in the Division 1 playoffs were a fringe-Top 10 team at times last year, and that was during a transition season when they were rediscovering how they'd best score. They've found two options for the present and future in that regard with 2028s Haleigh Adamowich and Camry Williams.
I think both juniors are capable of breakout seasons, and Woburn will hopefully return senior Alina Ayanian from a torn ACL. Steve Sullivan coaches an elite defense year after year, and I think we'll see some offensive punch with this squad that could help Woburn make a deep run.
