The 2024-25 MIAA boys basketball season has come to a close, and that means it’s time for one last Top 10.
It’s fun to look back at how we started back in December. In my first power rankings of the winter, my top five teams, in order, were Malden Catholic, Lowell, North Andover, Central Catholic and Newton North. I’ll take the L on North Andover – which went 13-9 this season as the No. 16 seed in Div. 1 – but four of those teams made at least the Elite Eight in their state tournament.
All told, six teams – Malden Catholic, Lowell, Central Catholic, Newton North, Attleboro and Franklin – that were in my original Top 10 made the cut for my final Top 10. Three of those teams made a state final, including one champion.
Here’s my final Top 10 of the season.
1. Franklin (26-1)
Previous ranking: 2
I had Franklin at No. 8 going into the winter, which I thought was fair given the talent the Panthers lost from their 2024 Division 1 runner-up squad. Well, Franklin even surprised itself this season, as the Panthers rolled to the program’s first championship. Their lone blemish came in the regular-season finale against Xaverian. Caden Sullivan was absurd in the state tournament to lead Franklin to a title and a worthy spot at No. 1 in the rankings.
MORE: Franklin finally breaks through with emotional D1 championship
2. Newton North (24-2)
Previous ranking: 1
The Tigers lost to just one MIAA team this season; unfortunately for them, it came in the thrilling Division 1 championship game against Franklin. Led by star Teagan Swint, they nearly pulled off a late comeback. Swint was a stud all season as Newton North proved worthy of its preseason hype. The Tigers will have some question marks heading into next season – Swint is off to Johns Hopkins, and longtime head coach Paul Connolly announced he stepped down following the season.
3. Central Catholic (20-3)
Previous ranking: 3
The No. 4 seed in Division 1, the Raiders advanced to the Final Four, where they came up just short of Franklin in the semifinals. The Merrimack Valley League champions were one of the best teams in the state all winter, and they’ll be back. Led by Javi Lopez and Elkin Pena, Central should be one of the favorites next winter.
MIAA STANDOUTS: 18 stars who shined in 2025 state tournaments
4. Lowell (20-3)
Previous ranking: 5
The Red Raiders didn’t make the Division 1 Final Four after falling to Central Catholic on the road in the Elite Eight, but they were dominant throughout the winter. Two of their losses were road defeats to Central, where they had chances to win in both. Tzar Powell-Aparicio and Jason Kamau were arguably the best backcourt duo in the state, and they’ll be missed as they head to college.
5. Somerset Berkley (24-1)
Previous ranking: 9
I didn’t give enough respect to the Raiders before the season, but this group earned it en route to the Division 2 championship. They finished the season on a 21-game winning streak, which included 17 by double figures as they rolled over three-time reigning champion Malden Catholic in the final. Somerset wasn’t super deep, but its short rotation – which included seniors Brendan McDonald, Finn Bjork, Max Finlaw – worked. Junior Dom Taylor, who was a dominant two-way threat in the playoffs, will be back.
MORE: Somerset Berkley wins first title since 1954
6. Malden Catholic (22-2)
Previous ranking: 4
The emotion was clear when the Lancers missed their chance to complete a historic four-peat after losing the Division 2 championship game to Somerset. Championships have become the standard at Malden Catholic, but it was still a successful season. The Lancers won the Catholic Conference for the first time since 2021 as they mostly rolled through their schedule. Matt Gaffney, who won Catholic Conference MVP, wrapped up one of the most decorated careers we’ve seen in MIAA, and MC has talent coming back. Sophomore Mamadou Camara, in particular, was a major bright spot for the Lancers.
7. Springfield Central (19-5)
Previous ranking: NR
There tends to be an East Coast bias when it comes to MIAA basketball, but Springfield Central broke down that barrier this winter. The Golden Eagles hung around the top 10 of the MIAA’s power rankings all season and then pounced when it counted, beating Newton South and Attleboro, the latter on the road, to reach the Final Four. Then they nearly toppled Newton North in the semifinals, only losing by four.
8. Attleboro (20-5)
Previous ranking: 7
I pegged the Blue Bombardiers as the Hockomock League favorites entering the season. They couldn’t quite get over the hump, but a 20-win season, No. 2 seed in Division 1 and a run to the Elite Eight is strong progress after this group went 14-8 last season. With junior stars Connor Houle and LaDainian Rodrigues among those coming back, Attleboro will be in the hunt again next winter.
9. Bridgewater-Raynham (18-5)
Previous ranking: 6
The Trojans challenged themselves with the hardest schedule in MIAA, and mostly passed those tests; they beat Xaverian twice, Brookline, Catholic Memorial and Attleboro en route to the Elite Eight of the Division 1 state tournament. One of the most athletic teams in the state, B-R was a tough matchup with size and dynamic players everywhere. Cason Faulk starred as a junior and should be one of the best returning seniors in MIAA next season.
10. Norwell (26-0)
Previous ranking: NR
Norwell survived in the Division 3 championship game thanks to Ronan Coffey’s buzzer-beating 3-pointer to force overtime, but his heroics were the only piece of drama the Clippers truly faced this season. Of their 26 victories, 22 came by double digits as Norwell mostly dominated its schedule in D3. The championship was a special moment for head coach John Willis, who watched his senior group develop into one of the best teams in the state.
MORE: Norwell claims dramatic D3 championship
ON THE RADAR: Oliver Ames (21-5), St. Mary’s (24-2), Masconomet (21-2), Braintree (19-4), Georgetown (19-6)
