For the most part, the Hockomock League, Merrimack Valley Conference and Catholic Conference have received the love in our MIAA boys rankings this season.
It’s time to give the Middlesex League some due.
I was in attendance at Friday night's packed gym at Winchester High School, where Winchester beat Arlington in a key league game, and came away really impressed. The environment was awesome, and the basketball was even better. Don’t sleep on this league – three teams were in the top 15 of last week’s MIAA Division 1 power rankings.
After its big win, Winchester cracks my power rankings this week. Where did they fall and what does the rest of the top 10 look like? Let’s check it out.
1. Newton North (14-1)
Previous ranking: 1
Next game: at Natick, Feb. 4, 6:30 p.m.
The Tigers rolled to a 54-point win over Framingham before handling Wellesley on Friday night to extend their winning streak to five. They’re still unbeaten against MIAA teams.
2. Franklin (16-0)
Previous ranking: 2
Next game: vs. Taunton, Feb. 4, 6:30 p.m.
The Panthers passed a tough road test against Mansfield last week – Caden Sullivan’s 27 points and late steal sealed it – and they face their biggest game of the season on Friday night when they visit Attleboro in a highly-anticipated rematch.
3. Central Catholic (12-3)
Previous ranking: 3
Next game: vs. Chelmsford, Feb. 4, 6:30 p.m.
The Raiders took care of business in their only game last week with an 85-58 win over Haverhill.
4. Lowell (15-1)
Previous ranking: 4
Next game: vs. North Andover, Feb. 11, 6:30 p.m.
The Red Raiders have now won six in a row since their loss to Central Catholic on Jan. 17, including a dominant 27-point win over a strong Andover team last Friday. They handled Dracut, 75-54, on Senior Night on Monday behind 21 points from senior Tzar Powell-Aparicio, 10 assists from senior Jason Kamau and 20 points from sophomore Colin Christiansen.
MORE: Lowell's star guards lead MIAA 5 Stars of the Week, Jan. 27-Feb. 2
5. Malden Catholic (13-1)
Previous ranking: 5
Next game: vs. BC High, Feb. 5, 6:30 p.m.
It’s a big week for the Lancers, who lead the Catholic Conference by one game over Catholic Memorial and have two league games remaining this week, both at home against BC High on Wednesday and then CM on Friday night.
6. St. Mary’s (16-0)
Previous ranking: 6
Next game: at Bishop Fenwick, Feb. 4, 6:30 p.m.
The Spartans have won their last four games by an average margin of 23 points, including Saturday’s 73-56 win over Monomoy that was led by 40 points from junior guard J.J. Martinez. They face their biggest test of the season when they head to Bishop Feehan (13-2) on Friday night.
7. Attleboro (14-2)
Previous ranking: 8
Next game: vs. Milford, Feb. 4, 6:30 p.m.
Led by Connor Houle and Ladainian Rodrigues, the Bombardiers have won five straight wins since their slip-up to Catholic Memorial, and they’re rolling again at the right time. They’re likely to be one game back of Franklin heading into their rematch at home on Friday night.
8. Winchester (13-1)
Previous ranking: NR
Next game: at Woburn, Feb. 4, 6:30 p.m.
The Red & Black debut in the rankings after their big win over Arlington on Friday night. Led by talented guards Jack Charchaflian and Alex Casey, they’ve won 12 straight and look a legit challenger in Division 1.
MORE: 7 standouts and takeaways from Winchester's win over Arlington
9. Catholic Memorial (10-4)
Previous ranking: 7
Next game: at Xaverian, Feb. 4, 6:30 p.m.
The Knights’ loss at BC High last week complicates their Catholic Conference title hopes, now needing to win at Xaverian and at Malden Catholic to win it.
10. Somerset Berkley (14-1)
Previous ranking: 10
Next game: at Old Rochester, Feb. 4, 6:30 p.m.
The Raiders have now won 11 consecutive games, and each of their last seven have been by at least 19 points.
DROPPED OUT: Mansfield
ON THE RADAR: Brookline, Holland (Burke), Arlington, Andover, Bishop Feehan, Bridgewater-Raynham
