The MIAA boys basketball regular season is complete. On Saturday, it’s bracket release time for the state tournaments.
But before then, it’s time for one final MIAA Top 10 of the regular season.
The last week of the regular season featured some drama, with several of our top teams suffering tough losses heading into the state tournament. The games served as great appetizers for the tournaments that start next week, and caused some shuffling in the rankings.
Which teams are in good form heading into the state tournaments? Let’s check out how the Top 10 shook out.
1. Newton North (20-1)
Previous ranking: 2
The Tigers were, ultimately, the only team in Division 1 to go undefeated against MIAA squads this season, with their only loss coming to Albany (Calif.) at Hoophall in January. Led by Teagan Swint, they rolled to double-digit wins over North Andover and Winchester at the Board 27 Comcast Tournament to head into the state tournament on a high note. They should be a lock for a top-four seed – which guarantees home-court advantage through the quarterfinals – when the brackets release.
RELATED: 5 boys standouts from Newton North's victory over Winchester
2. Franklin (21-1)
Previous ranking: 1
The Panthers suffered their first loss of the season in their final game of the regular season, a shocking 40-38 defeat to Xaverian (which had a 9-10 record entering the game) at home as they scored their fewest points in a game this season. Caden Sullivan missed a good 3-point look in the final seconds. Franklin will likely still be the No. 1 overall seed in Division 1, but this loss showed it’s vulnerable.
3. Central Catholic (17-2)
Previous ranking: 3
The Raiders have won nine consecutive games heading into the state tournament, where they look primed for a top-four seed following blowout wins over Methuen, Lynn English, Charlestown and Needham over the last 10 days. With star junior Javi Lopez running the show, Central is among the frontrunners to go all the way.
4. Malden Catholic (18-1)
Previous ranking: 5
The Lancers – who won the Catholic Conference for the first time since 2021 – will be the likely No. 1 overall seed in Division 2 as they seek an historic fourth consecutive state championship. The status of forward Ben Howard – a key player from last season’s team who hasn’t played yet this season due to injury – hangs in the balance. It’s possible he returns for the state tournament, but it’s unknown if and when yet.
5. Lowell (18-2)
Previous ranking: 4
The Red Raiders suffered a humbling blowout loss to Andover last week, which may have cost them a top-four seed in the state tournament, but they rebounded nicely with wins over Cambridge and Wachusett to finish their regular-season slate. They remain one of the favorites in Division 1, but they’ll need senior star Tzar Powell-Aparicio’s best. He had just five points in that loss to Andover.
6. Bridgewater-Raynham (16-4)
Previous ranking: NR
The Trojans could be a darkhorse in the D1 state tournament after finishing off their regular season with one of the most impressive wins of the winter at Attleboro on Wednesday. Down by eight with less than 90 seconds left in regulation, they stormed back to force overtime on Cason Faulk’s buzzer-beating putback before prevailing in the extra session. Head coach Doug Alves’ group is battle-tested with a hard schedule that also included games against Lowell, Brookline, Xaverian, BC High and Catholic Memorial.
Bridgewater-Raynham with an incredible 76-71 overtime win over Attleboro to win the 2025 Blue Bombardiers Classic.
Trojans trailed by 7 with just over a minute left in regulation but stormed back to force OT with this buzzer-beating putback from Cason Faulk.
What a win for B-R. pic.twitter.com/Adbv1YtsTJ
— Steve Hewitt (@steve_hewitt) February 20, 2025
7. Attleboro (18-4)
Previous ranking: 7
The Blue Bombardiers will likely get a top-four seed in Division 1, but they will need to be better with their late-game execution. Three of their four losses this season were by five points or less, including their brutal home loss to Bridgewater-Raynham to close their regular season. Still, the strong play of Connor Houle and Ladainian Rodrigues should carry them far.
8. Mansfield (18-4)
Previous ranking: NR
The Hornets finished the regular season on a seven-game winning streak, a stretch that included victories over Whitman-Hanson and BC High. Each of their four losses are by single digits, including by seven to Franklin and five to Attleboro. They will likely be the No. 2 seed in Division 2.
9. Somerset Berkley (19-1)
Previous ranking: 8
The Raiders swept their season series over Bourne – a Division 4 title favorite – with a wild 81-79 double-overtime victory last Friday. They pose a threat to Malden Catholic in Division 2, but they were only ranked No. 10 in the final MIAA power rankings. Assuming they move up with a higher seed in the state tournament, that could potentially make an interesting quarterfinals matchup.
10. Andover (14-6)
Previous ranking: NR
Head coach Dave Fazio’s squad has been on a rollercoaster ride this season, but the Golden Warriors head into the state tournament feeling very confident after a blowout senior night win over Lowell. With a strong trio of Sam Concemi, Josh Roux and Owen Crowley, this team can make a deep run in Division 1.
RELATED: 8 standouts and takeaways from Andover's dominant win over Lowell
DROPPED OUT: St. Mary’s, Winchester, Brookline
