The dog days of winter are upon us. A snow storm just blanketed Massachusetts, and on the basketball hardwood, the stretch run to the state tournament is here.
With less than a month to go in the regular season, the top teams occupying our rankings are in good shape. Seven of this week’s Top 10 have reached the 10 wins necessary to qualify for the state tournament. The next several weeks is about positioning for a valuable top-four seed while playing for conference championships and getting into a rhythm for the most important games. Many teams around the state are fighting for a spot in the dance, which will make this stretch fun and exciting.
Two previously undefeated teams lost their first games of the season, with one dropping out of the rankings. Meanwhile, an emerging power from Western Mass. joins the fold this week.
As you dig your cars out of the snow, here’s our latest MIAA boys Top 10.
MIAA BOYS STARS: 16 standouts from Jan. 19-25
1. Central Catholic (10-3)
Previous rank: 1
Next game: vs. Chelmsford, Jan. 27, 7 p.m.
It was business as usual for the Raiders, but I didn’t quite expect Friday’s result. After handling Lawrence at home on Tuesday, Central went to Lowell and took home a 73-33 victory. That’s not a typo. Lowell is certainly a bit down this year after last season’s Elite Eight appearance, but a 40-point blowout on its home floor certainly took me by surprise. Elkin Pena corralled a 14-point, 13-rebound double-double alongside Javi Lopez’s 27 points, but the Raiders’ team defense deserves credit. They’ve held their opponents to 50 points or fewer in three of their last four games.
RIVALRY WIN: 5 standouts from Central Catholic's victory over Lawrence
2. Andover (12-1)
Previous rank: 2
Next game: vs. Methuen, Jan. 27, 6:30 p.m.
It shouldn’t be overlooked that the Golden Warriors are having such a good season with a young squad relative to their competition. Junior Josh Roux, sophomore Charlie Tutwiler and freshman Logan Sullivan have each been consistent starters, and sophomore Roman Giammarco contributed 17 points and seven rebounds in Friday’s win over Tewksbury.
3. St. Mary's (12-1)
Previous rank: 3
Next game: vs. Archbishop Williams, Jan. 27, 6:30 p.m.
The Spartans are continuing to dominate their in-state competition. Friday’s 74-35 victory over Cathedral – ranked No. 11 in Division 2’s latest power rankings – was another eye-opening result, with Rolky Brea-Arias putting up a 21-point, 20-rebound double-double.
4. Bridgewater-Raynham (11-1)
Previous rank: 5
Next game: vs. Mansfield, Feb. 1, 1 p.m.
The Trojans have won seven straight games after another balanced effort helped them secure a strong 70-58 win over Brockton on Friday. Sunday’s game against Division 2 contender Oliver Ames was postponed due to the weather; it has been rescheduled to Wednesday, Feb. 4, at 4 p.m. at B-R.
5. Attleboro (12-1)
Previous rank: 6
Next game: vs. Stoughton, Jan. 27, 6:30 p.m.
The Blue Bombardiers, with a 10-0 league record, have total control of the Hockomock League’s Kelley-Rex Division, holding a three-game lead over Franklin, after two more convincing wins last week; 68-38 over North Attleboro and 93-45 over King Philip. Senior guard Connor Houle reached the 1,000-point milestone against North Attleboro.
6. Malden Catholic (12-2)
Previous rank: 4
Next game: at St. John's (Shrewsbury), Jan. 27, 6:30 p.m.
Down go the Lancers. After an 11-0 start to the season, they dropped their first two games last week: a 63-61 home loss to Catholic Memorial and a 51-49 road defeat to Xaverian. MC now sits behind Catholic Memorial by a game in the Catholic Conference. The rematch comes on Feb. 6 at CM.
7. Masconomet (9-1)
Previous rank: 8
Next game: vs. Peabody, Jan. 27, 7 p.m.
Masco has won four consecutive games by an average margin of 26.8 points since its lone loss to St. Mary’s. That includes 30-point and 26-point wins over Methuen and Swampscott last week, respectively. They should continue to roll this week with home tilts against Peabody, Marblehead and North Andover.
8. Cambridge Rindge & Latin (8-2)
Previous rank: 9
Next game: vs. Wayland, Jan. 27, 7 p.m.
The Falcons won their only game last week, a 45-39 rock fight at Lincoln-Sudbury. Imam Firmin led the way with 17 points, eight assists and five steals. Cambridge’s game at Chelsea on Monday was postponed due to the weather. It has been rescheduled to Feb. 14 at 6 p.m.
9. Beverly (9-3)
Previous rank: 10
Next game: at Marblehead, Jan. 27, 7 p.m.
The Panthers routed Saugus, 119-39, on Thursday; the 80-point winning margin is believed the most in a single game in program history. Between the two wins over Peabody and Saugus last week, Beverly scored 211 points. There’s not much to take away from two easy victories, but I still believe the Panthers have a high ceiling as a Division 1 contender.
10. Pope Francis (11-1)
Previous rank: NR
Next game: at Springfield Central, Jan. 27, 7 p.m.
Welcome to the party, Pope Francis. The Western Mass. power has won 11 consecutive games since its season-opening nine-point loss to St. Mary’s. The Cardinals sit at No. 2 behind the Spartans in the Div. 2 power rankings, and their 9.0808 rating from the last update is the eighth-best statewide. With the experienced group they returned from last season, they should be in the mix for a long playoff run come March. The next test might be their toughest remaining one of the regular season, a road showdown at Springfield Central. That's a rematch of Pope Francis' double overtime win at the Hoophall Classic.
The next five: Oliver Ames, New Bedford, Needham, Salem, Bishop Feehan
