Making MIAA preseason rankings is often an exercise in guesswork. We’re not going off of much. Which stars are back? Which tournament teams are returning key players? Which teams do we think will be good based off of roster construction? It’s all part of the formula, but it’s all a projection. We really don’t know anything until the ball hits the hardwood on opening night.
I hold my breath as the results cross my timeline during the first games of the season, hoping I didn’t make a complete fool of myself. So, how did the first MIAA boys basketball Top 10 of the season hold up?
It wasn’t a disaster. There were some surprise results, and some teams that slipped my preseason radar, but all in all, I feel good about my first instincts. Seven of the 10 teams from my preseason rankings remain in our first update of the season, which covers results from the first two weeks. And there’s already a new No. 1 after Central Catholic dropped a thriller last Friday.
It’s shaping up to be a wild, unpredictable winter across MIAA boys basketball. I’m excited to get to the Commonwealth Motors Christmas Classic this upcoming weekend at Merrimack, where three of this week’s top four teams make up the field. I’m expecting some fireworks, and maybe even more change to the Top 10.
Here are our latest rankings as we enter the holiday tournament season.
MIAA TOP 10s: Preseason
1. Beverly (2-0)
Previous ranking: 2
Next game: vs. St. John’s Prep, Dec. 27, 1:30 p.m. (at Commonwealth Motors Christmas Classic)
The Panthers have handled their business with two convincing wins to start the season: 81-39 over Peabody and 61-42 over Marblehead. Now, the big early-season test awaits. Beverly is the No. 1 seed in this weekend’s Commonwealth Motors Christmas Classic, and it will need to earn staying atop these rankings.
2. Bridgewater-Raynham (3-0)
Previous ranking: 3
Next game: vs. Old Rochester, Dec. 27, 1:45 p.m. (at Larry Fisher Holiday Tournament)
After B-R's strong 15-point win over BC High, I was curious how the Trojans would do against an upstart New Bedford team that has opened eyes to start the season. A dominant 22-4 fourth quarter fueled B-R to an impressive 71-49 victory. Coach Doug Alves’ pieces seem to be clicking together right away. Transfer guard Aiden Pires knocked down seven 3-pointers en route to 26 points, and returners Cason Faulk and Cam Santos have filled the stat sheets. Most importantly, the Trojans are clearly committed to the defensive end, where they’re holding opponents to 45.3 points per game.
3. Andover (3-0)
Previous ranking: NR
Next game: vs. North Andover, Dec. 27, 7:45 p.m. (at Commonwealth Motors Christmas Classic)
As the final buzzer sounded in the Golden Warriors’ signature win last Friday at Central Catholic, coach Dave Fazio turned with his arms spread out and said, “How about that?” His team spilled on to the floor at Central to celebrate a big win for the program over the preseason favorite. I can’t blame them; that’s as big of a regular-season win as you can get, especially in the Merrimack Valley Conference, where Central didn’t lose a game in league play last year. Junior Josh Roux and sophomore Charlie Tutwiler were terrific, but the unsung hero may have been freshman Logan Sullivan, who has been unfazed in his first varsity action. Andover can double down on its statement win this weekend at the CMCC, where it could meet Beverly in the semifinals and potentially Central again for a rematch in the championship game.
4. Central Catholic (1-1)
Previous ranking: 1
Next game: vs. Lawrence, Dec. 27, 6 p.m. (at Commonwealth Motors Christmas Classic)
There shouldn’t be any panic at Central after its surprising loss, but I expect the Raiders to be even more motivated going into the CMCC. They already had a bit of a chip on their shoulder after being given the No. 2 seed in the tournament, believing they should be No. 1. They have an opportunity to go out and prove some things this weekend. With the upperclassmen leadership headlined by senior star Javi Lopez, I’m not worried about the Raiders, but the Andover loss should serve as an early-season reminder that they’re going to get everyone’s best shot.
5. Masconomet (2-0)
Previous ranking: 4
Next game: at Marblehead, Jan. 5, 7 p.m.
Masco has obliterated both of its opponents with wild score lines – 72-27 over Peabody and 100-40 over Gloucester. For those counting, that’s an average scoring margin of 52.5 points. Senior forward Jamason Vella is scoring 23.5 points per game, including a 25-point, 10-rebound double-double vs. Gloucester. Masco is off until 2026, and its schedule will heat up in mid-January.
6. Attleboro (3-0)
Previous ranking: 8
Next game: vs. Georgetown, Dec. 29, 3 p.m.
The Blue Bombardiers have looked impressive to start the season, with coach Mark Houle liking his team’s pace of play offensively in double-digit wins over Canton, Mansfield and Taunton. Seniors LaDainian Rodrigues and Connor Houle have expectedly led the way. Rodrigues is averaging 18 points, 9.3 rebounds, four assists, four steals and two blocks per game, Houle is contributing 17.3 points per game, five rebounds, four assists and two steals per game, and junior Shane Hanrahan is adding a scoring boost with 12 points per game.
7. St. Mary’s (4-0)
Previous ranking: NR
Next game: vs. Lynn Classical, Dec. 27, 11 a.m.
I didn’t initially have the Spartans on my Top 10 radar this season, and that was a mistake. Coach Josh Keilty, in his first season at St. Mary’s after leading Georgetown to last season’s Division 4 championship, has a team that’s clearly in the championship picture in its first season in Division 2 after it has cruised to wins over Pope Francis, St. John’s Prep, Bishop Feehan and Springfield Central. Sophomore guard Jake Fortier, who scored 24 points in the Spartans’ 30-point win over Springfield Central, is picking up where he left off, and transfer additions Rolky Brea Arias and John Chareas have fit in seamlessly.
8. Newton North (4-1)
Previous ranking: 9
Next game: at Newton South, Dec. 28, 4:30 p.m.
Other than a slip-up against Natick, the Tigers have looked good in its transition under first-year head coach John McNamara, and they’re developing a gritty identity. Newton North trailed by six with under a minute left last week vs. St. John’s Prep before rallying for a one-point win on Bryson Mercedes’ game-winning 3-pointer from the corner with three seconds remaining. Mathaios Stamm has seemed to take on the scoring load after the departure of Teagan Swint, which included a 22-point effort in the Tigers’ win over Brookline.
9. Winchester (4-0)
Previous ranking: 10
Next game: vs. TechBoston, Dec. 29, 2 p.m.
The Red & Black have emerged as the early leaders in the Middlesex League after an unbeaten start, including a strong Liberty Division victory over Lexington, 77-74. The trio of Dawson English, Harrison Burbine and Carson Sarpong have carried coach John Fleming’s group, with English returning from offseason knee surgery to have an impressive start.
10. Oliver Ames (3-0)
Previous ranking: NR
Next game: vs. Cardinal Spellman, Dec. 28, 6:30 p.m.
After a run to last season’s Division 2 Final Four, the Tigers look strong around senior returners Justin Grimaldi and Jacob Lok. Josiah Marshall hit a 3-pointer with 4.5 seconds remaining to lift OA to a thrilling 59-58 overtime victory over Mansfield.
The next five: Malden Catholic, Methuen, Lowell, Lexington, Holland (Burke)
