We’ve reached the pinnacle of the MIAA basketball season.
The regular season ended on Thursday, and on Saturday at 1 p.m., the state tournament brackets will be released for every division. That begins a three-week dash to Lowell, where champions will be crowned at the Tsongas Center from March 13-15.
Since our last rankings update on Feb. 9, much has happened. Multiple Top 10 matchups – including a showdown between our No. 1 and No. 2 teams – and marquee games in February vacation tournaments helped reaffirm the state’s hierarchy going into the postseason.
As we wait for Saturday’s brackets, here are our 10 best MIAA boys teams entering the playoffs.
1. Central Catholic (18-3)
Previous rank: 1
The Raiders passed their difficult stretch with flying colors, winning a rock fight vs. Andover to claim the MVC Cup championship on their home floor before holding off a late Masconomet rally to win the Board 27 Comcast tournament. In both of those games, star Javi Lopez didn’t create his typical production as good defenses gave him more attention and showed him different coverages. But his supporting cast stepped up, most notably sophomore Elkin Pena and junior Drew O’Keefe. That’s an important development entering the tournament, where Central will need everyone to contribute in its quest to win five more games.
MVC CUP CHAMPS: 10 standouts and takeaways from No. 1 Central Catholic's win over No. 2 Andover
2. Andover (18-2)
Previous rank: 2
A couple of different bounces and a friendlier whistle, and Andover might be entering the tournament at No. 1 after its close loss to Central in the MVC Cup. Sophomore star Charlie Tutwiler fouling out with four minutes remaining was a difficult pill to swallow, but the Golden Warriors didn’t quit as they nearly came back in the final minute. Their toughness and resilience will make them a difficult out in the state tournament. They’re hopeful for the return of starting guard Luke Zorbas, who’s been out with an injury.
3. Attleboro (20-2)
Previous rank: 5
The Blue Bombardiers are winners of six consecutive games entering the tournament, stamped by a strong double-digit victory over Bridgewater-Raynham and a narrow win over Bishop Feehan to win their Blue Bombardier Classic. They’ve been led all winter by their senior captain trio of Connor Houle, LaDainian Rodrigues and Isaiah Outland, but the contributions of Devin Dufresne (21 points) and Shane Hanrahan (20 points) in the win over B-R are a great sign heading into the tourney.
4. St. Mary’s (19-3)
Previous rank: 7
The losses to Salem and Archbishop Williams have proven to be a minor blip on the radar for the Spartans, who reeled off wins over Division 4 favorite Wareham, Xaverian, Lynn Tech and Newburyport to close the regular season, the latter a 24-point victory over a fellow Div. 2 contender to win the Spartan Classic. St. Mary’s is likely to be the No. 1 seed in D2.
5. Salem (19-2)
Previous rank: 6
After suffering a rare defeat to Swampscott – their first loss in-state this winter – the Witches rebounded with a huge road win over Masconomet to claim the Northeastern Conference title. Motivated by last season’s early tournament exit, Salem looks like a frontrunner for the Div. 3 title. An experienced group led by junior star Elian Rodriguez and seniors Nate Lane and Darren Taku don’t seem to have any holes between a free-flowing, hot-shooting offense and a stingy defense that has held opponents to below 50 points per game. They held Masco to two points in the third quarter of their triumph over the league rivals, and that effort should carry into March.
6. Bridgewater-Raynham (16-4)
Previous rank: 3
The Trojans are just 5-3 since the calendar flipped to February during a stretch that includes road losses to Brockton and Attleboro, which likely cost them a valuable top-four seed in the Div. 1 tournament. Coach Doug Alves’ team will likely slot in somewhere in the 5-7 range, but they have the depth and experience to make another deep run after last winter’s quarterfinals berth. Cam Santos – who compiled 26 points and eight rebounds in B-R’s season finale win over Stoughton – completes a talented big three with Cason Faulk and Aiden Pires, while Luke Tirrell, Mateo Jackson and Lee Williams provide great value. At their best, the Trojans are a legitimate title threat.
7. Masconomet (17-3)
Previous rank: 4
The Chieftains got what they wanted – a chance to play the No. 1 team in the state – when they beat Catholic Memorial to advance to the Board 27 Comcast Tournament championship vs. Central Catholic. They gave the Raiders all they could handle, overcoming getting outscored 17-3 in the first quarter to make it a two-point game in the final minute. Moral victories only go so far, but that should give Masco an added boost of confidence heading into the Div. 2 tournament, where they should be the No. 3 seed. The Chieftains boast the best defense in the division, holding opponents to 48 points per game this season.
BOARD 27 COMCAST TOURNAMENT: 10 boys standouts from the marquee Feb. vacation event
8. Needham (18-2)
Previous rank: NR
The Rockets have settled into the top five of the Division 1 power rankings for most of the winter, and I probably haven’t given them the respect they deserve. Their resume includes victories over Xaverian (twice), Catholic Memorial, Newton North and Malden Catholic, with their two losses coming on the road to Newton North and BC High. They’re a model of consistency and balance, with their starting five all capable of scoring in double figures. Needham should comfortably secure a top-four seed and home games through the quarters. They’re 10-0 at home.
9. Beverly (17-4)
Previous rank: 9
The Panthers’ four losses are to teams above them in these rankings – Central Catholic, Salem and twice to Masconomet. Our No. 2 preseason team has otherwise handled business, but the power rankings still haven’t loved them as much as I have. They were No. 9 in Monday’s update, which would force them to go on the road in the round of 16.
10. Mansfield (17-5)
Previous rank: NR
It’s about time to welcome the Hornets, who are 15-1 – including Division 1 wins over Bridgewater-Raynham and Bishop Feehan – since starting the season 2-4. They didn’t have star Gabe McIntyre due to injury to start the season, and he’s been a huge difference-maker since his return on Jan. 9. Coach Mike Vaughan’s group seems to be hitting its stride as the postseason begins.
The next five: Pope Francis, New Bedford, Wareham, Oliver Ames, Bishop Feehan
