As I reflect on another exciting MIAA boys basketball season, I was struck by the amount of compelling championship stories we were treated to at the Tsongas Center last weekend.
Among the best ones: Salem winning its first championship in more than three decades with the help of some program legends. Aaron Cote’s comeback story fueling Wareham’s title. And Bishop Feehan completed a storybook Cinderella run. While we watch the NCAA Tournament, these were magical March moments at the high school level that remind us why this month is so great.
Another reflection: The parity across divisions is getting deeper. We can explore the reasons for another day, but it made the fight for spots in our final rankings this season quite challenging. Multiple champions had a case to be No. 1. Every team’s full body of work was taken into account for our decision-making, but playoff performances carried the most weight.
Here’s our last MIAA boys Top 10 of the 2025-26 season.
1. Bishop Feehan (18-7)
Previous ranking: NR
Seriously – how did this team lose seven games? I’m fully aware that the Shamrocks hold losses to both St. Mary’s, the Division 2 champion, and Wareham, the Division 4 champion, but what they did in March, in my opinion, outweighs those defeats. Feehan beat the top three seeds in Division 1 – Needham, Andover and Central Catholic – in addition to Bridgewater-Raynham, one of the top teams in the state, to win the title. You quite literally couldn’t come up with a harder path.
2. Central Catholic (22-3)
Previous ranking: 1
It wasn’t the ending that star Javi Lopez and the Raiders envisioned, but it was still a wildly successful winter for coach Mark Dunham’s group, which won the inaugural MVC Cup, earned the No. 1 seed in Division 1 and made a run to the final, only losing two in-state games. They even proved themselves out of the region, too, by nearly knocking off Bergen Catholic (N.J.). Lopez, who’s off to Brandeis, leaves as one of the most decorated players in Central Catholic and recent MIAA history, finishing close to 2,000 career points, and the Raiders will also miss Jeremiah Almanzar and Junior Nanje, but they’ll bring back an experience core that includes Elkin Pena, Drew O’Keefe and Jordan Marion that will be motivated from how this year ended.
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3. Andover (21-3)
Previous ranking: 2
There was uncertainty about the Golden Warriors entering this winter, but coach Dave Fazio will be proud of what this young group accomplished as they made a Div. 1 Final Four appearance. Josh Roux made strides as one of the best players in the state, while sophomore Charlie Tutwiler and freshman Logan O’Sullivan were breakout stars. With the roster that’s slated to return, Andover will certainly be in the mix as a state championship contender next season.
4. Salem (24-2)
Previous rank: 5
The Witches captured their first championship since 1995 behind the standout play of junior star Elian Rodriguez, who went on a heater in the state tournament. But the contributions of a well-balanced group that includes Cesar Mesa Castillo, Nate Lane and Matt Kenney can’t be ignored either as they each added to Salem’s deep basketball history. Could they make a run at a repeat next season? They’ll need some to step into bigger roles, but they’ll have one of the best players in the state in Rodriguez. The Witches get the slight edge over St. Mary’s here with a regular-season win over the Spartans.
5. St. Mary’s (24-3)
Previous rank: 4
The Spartans lost just twice to Massachusetts teams as they racked up wins over Bishop Feehan, Wareham, Springfield Central, Xaverian and Masconomet twice, including a hard-fought Division 2 championship victory. They held a significant lead in the Div. 2 power rankings all season and backed it up with their title run. What can first-year coach Josh Keilty do for an encore? St. Mary’s is slated to have star guard Jake Fortier and core member Rowan Merryman back, but will need to replace the likes of Rolky Brea-Arias, Gabe Makuwa-Sykes and John Chareas, but Keilty is one of the best coaches in the state for a reason. He’ll find a way to keep this program among the best.
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6. Masconomet (21-4)
Previous rank: 7
One missed shot from Jimmy Farrell was the difference in the Chieftains coming up short of a Div. 2 championship. In two years, coach Jaycob Morales has turned Masco into a D2 power, with two Final Four appearances, including a title game appearance, while going 42-6. What’s next? A strong senior core that includes Farrell, Cal Weidman and others depart, but the Chieftains have key pieces in Thomas Denton, Matteo Stefanelli and Owen Hannigan in the mix to return.
7. Needham (19-3)
Previous rank: 8
The Rockets were probably the closest team to knocking off Bishop Feehan in the state tournament after falling in a heartbreaking four-overtime loss in the round of 16. They were one of the most consistent teams in the state this season, notching wins over Catholic Memorial, Xaverian twice and Malden Catholic en route to earning the No. 3 seed in the D1 tournament. Top contributors Ben Marino, Matthew Cloonan and Foster Wilinski each graduate from this group.
8. Xaverian (14-9)
Previous rank: NR
Xaverian was one of the hottest teams over the final month and a half of the season. After a 2-6 start, the Hawks ultimately went 12-3 over their final 15 games, including wins over Malden Catholic, BC High, Bishop Feehan, New Bedford and a road playoff win at Attleboro to earn a spot in the state quarterfinals, where they lost to Andover.
9. Attleboro (21-3)
Previous rank: 3
Another bright winter for the Blue Bombardiers ended in heartbreaking fashion. They had a commanding lead in the round of 16 at home vs. Xaverian before letting it slip in a seven-point loss. But coach Mark Houle’s team was still one of the best in the state all season. Their resume includes two wins over Bishop Feehan and victories over Bridgewater-Raynham and Mansfield. Departing seniors Connor Houle and LaDainian Rodrigues were one of the best duos in the state.
10. Bridgewater-Raynham (18-5)
Previous rank: 6
The Trojans also came painfully close to knocking off Bishop Feehan in the state quarterfinals, losing at home in a double overtime thriller. Coach Doug Alves and his group had realistic state championship hopes entering the season, and while they were clearly one of the best teams in the state, they ultimately weren’t able to take the next step. They should be back though. While they lose senior stars Cason Faulk and Cam Santos, junior guard Aiden Pires and sophomore breakout star Mateo Jackson give them a strong foundation to work from.
The next five: Springfield Central, Wareham, Hanover, Pope Francis, Beverly
