The big question entering the MIAA girls basketball season: Can anyone dethrone the state champs?
It feels like last year's victors each have legitimate cases as favorites to repeat. Spoiler alert: the top four programs in our preseason rankings all won titles last season (and don't overlook Hoosac Valley in Division 5).
That being said, none of their paths are guaranteed. I've already emphasized that this season brings even more returning talent to MIAA than usual; that also goes for several challengers to the respective thrones.
This is the first top 10 rankings of the season, and spots are highly competitive. Make sure you get to these schools for some winter hoops.
MORE: MIAA guards to watch | MIAA wings and forwards to watch | MIAA post players to watch
1. Bishop Feehan
Coach: Amy Dolores
Last season: 21-4, won Div. 1 championship
Players to watch: Charlotte Adams-Lopez, G; Mollie Mullen, G; Maddy Steel, G
Outlook: The Shamrocks start on top and bring back one of the region’s best backcourt tandems. Adams-Lopez is the cerebral point guard, Steel is the sharpshooter, and both defend at a high level. Julia Webster’s graduation leaves a significant hole in the frontcourt that Feehan will have to fill. But this is a team that plays efficient offense, defends hard and is led by seasoned vets. Feehan has appeared in the last two Division 1 finals.
RUNNING IT BACK:Â How the Shamrocks plan to repeat in Division 1
2. Foxboro
Coach: Lisa Downs
Last season: 24-2, won Div. 3 championship
Players to watch: Alaysia Drummond, G; Addie Ruter, C; Kailey Sullivan, G
Outlook: The Warriors have a two-season title streak going with championships in Divisions 2 and 3. They graduated star guard Camryn Collins and will need to replace her dynamic two-way impact. But Sullivan, already one of the top-scoring guards in MIAA, has a chance to put up some huge numbers. She has Ruter anchoring the frontcourt as a 6-foot-3 center with a combination of strength and soft touch. Keep an eye on Drummond for a sophomore leap.
THREE-PEAT TIME? What to expect from Foxboro this winter
3. Medfield
Coach: Mark Nickerson
Last season: 23-2 record, won Div. 2 championship
Players to watch: Naya Annigeri, G; Tess Baacke, G; Izzy Kittredge, G/F
Outlook: Nickerson believes this Warriors team could be one of the best in his 21-year coaching tenure. Annigeri, the reigning Tri-Valley League MVP, is only a sophomore. Add in high-motor guard Baacke and 6-foot wing Kittredge, both juniors, and the reigning Div. 2 champs still boast tons of upside. Medfield plays fast and unselfishly, hunting defensive turnovers that lead to transition buckets.
JUST GETTING STARTED:Â What's the ceiling for Medfield's young stars?
4. Cathedral
Coach: Clinton Lassiter
Last season: 19-5 record, won Div. 4 championship
Players to watch: Hijjah Allen-Paisley, G; Tamia Darling, G; Keyona Raines, G
Outlook: The Panthers seek their seventh Div. 4 title in 10 years. Like Medfield, they’re among the most aggressive and fast-paced teams in Massachusetts and have maintained that edge even as players graduate. Allen-Paisley enters her senior year as a poised playmaking guard, which neatly complements Raines’ tenacity and athleticism in the backcourt. Cathedral also has several players on breakout watch, led by the junior Darling. They’re the heavy favorite to roll to another championship.
SUSTAINED DYNASTY:Â Cathedral showing no signs of slowing down in Division 4
5. St. Mary's
Coach: Jeff Newhall
Last season: 19-7 record, lost to Foxboro in Div. 3 semifinals
Players to watch: Reese Matela, C; Lily Norton, G; Bella Owumi, G/F
Outlook: Last year’s transition season went well, with the Spartans reaching the Div. 3 semifinals with only one senior. This year, they’re right back in the title mix. Owumi is the top college prospect in MIAA with several high-major offers. She’s an elite defensive wing who has grown into her role as lead playmaker. She has point guard Norton to help her in the backcourt and Matela to win inside. St. Mary’s is also deeper and more experienced than a year ago.
RETURN TO GLORY:Â How St. Mary's can get back to its title-winning ways
6. Woburn
Coach: Steve Sullivan
Last season: 19-5 record, lost to Bishop Feehan in Div. 1 semifinals
Players to watch: Shannon McCarthy, F; Mckenna Morrison, G
Outlook: One of the stingiest defensive programs in the state is back to attempt another deep playoff run. Woburn has been on the cusp of breaking through to true championship frontrunner status and might be ready this season. Morrison is the offensive spark at point guard and McCarthy is the play-finisher inside, but this team wins by smothering opponents and keeping the score low. Woburn hasn’t lost a Middlesex League game in three years.
ON LOCK:Â Woburn's defense keeps the Tanners in the title hunt
7. Springfield Central
Coach: James Gee
Last season: 20-4, lost in Div. 1 semifinals to Wachusett
Players to watch: Jai-Lyn Garvin-Martin, G; Angela Hector, F
Outlook: The Golden Eagles, who won the first statewide Division 1 title in 2021-22, always find a way to the front of the division. They’ve made the quarterfinals or better each of the last three seasons, losing to Wachusett in the past two tournaments. Garvin-Martin is another example of the Golden Eagles’ pipeline of talented, athletic guards who can defend and run. I’d always bet on Springfield Central to find a way deep into the playoffs, even after graduating a handful of key seniors.
8. Norwell
Coach: Matt Marani
Last season: 23-2, lost in Div. 3 championship to Foxboro
Players to watch: Reagan Dowd, G; Paige Maguire, G; Maddie Oliver, F
Outlook: The Clippers’ two losses bookended a 23-game win streak that led to the program’s first state final appearance since 1989. Most of the group is back and Norwell is a real contender to flip the result this spring. Maddie Oliver’s versatility as a playmaking forward, plus Reagan Dowd’s shooting and court awareness, give the Clippers a stable floor. They also have upside down the roster, including Maguire and sophomore Alex Cassidy.
OUR TIME:Â Why the Clippers believe they're built for their first championship
9. Central Catholic
Coach: Casey Grange
Last season: 18-5, lost in Div. 1 quarterfinals to Springfield Central
Players to watch: Kerri Finneran, F; Aniela Kwo, F
Outlook: The Raiders only have half of their roster returning, but their best players from last season are back. Finneran, a three-sport standout committed to UMass for lacrosse, brings versatility and toughness as a forward. Kwo is a consistent double-double threat. The Raiders will have to sort out their guard rotations, but Grange always finds a way to build a team that rebounds and defends at a high level.
BREAKING THROUGH:Â What to expect from Central Catholic in the Div. 1 playoff chase
10. Notre Dame (Hingham)
Coach:Â Nickie Orlando
Last season:Â 20-2, lost in Div. 2 quarterfinals to Worcester South
Players to watch:Â Ava Orlando, G; Elle Orlando, G; Effie Giannopoulos, G/F
The Orlando family gets one last run together before Ava heads off to Bentley. The senior is an instant highlight reel with her microwave scoring and passing, but watch out for Elle, a junior who pairs well with her sister as one of the most reliable shooters in the state. NDA is going to need more than its star backcourt to truly break through in Division 2; Giannopoulos is a key piece to the rest of the cast.
On the radar: Bishop Fenwick, Bridgewater-Raynham, Dartmouth, Needham, Quincy, Wachusett, Walpole, Whitman-Hanson
