The MIAA has so much great basketball at the top of the state hierarchy. Even a single slip-up can remove a team from our weekly Top 10.
In the past three weeks, four teams have fallen out of these rankings. Central Catholic is the latest (spoiler alert) after dropping a close, 49-44 contest to Billerica last Tuesday. But all four — Central Catholic, Quincy, Notre Dame (Hingham) and Springfield Central — have only one in-state loss apiece. They're all candidates to return to the list; it just shows how competitive the battle is among the elite teams.
Since we last updated our rankings, the MIAA has also released its first power rankings update. To avoid confusion, we'll be calling our weekly rankings the Top 10 going forward. The MIAA power rankings don't significantly impact my own view of teams, especially this early of the season, but it's another point of observation.
Here's how the state shapes up in mid-January.
1. Bishop Feehan (7-1)
Previous ranking: 1
Next game: at Walpole, Jan. 13, 6:00 p.m.
The Shamrocks have only played once since our last update, but they added a 63-51 win against a quality Bishop Fenwick team in what's always a great Catholic Central League rivalry game. Tufts-bound senior guard Maddy Steel once again led with 17 points. Keep an eye on sophomore Shannon LaMorticelli in the lineup; she's reached double figures in three of her last four games.
2. Medfield (7-1)
Previous ranking: 2
Next game: at Ashland, Jan. 14, 6:00 p.m.
The Warriors earned their first wins of 2025 against two Tri-Valley League foes: a 49-44 battle against Div. 4 contender Millis and a more resounding, 69-49 victory over another good Westwood team. Abby Broderick, one of the more highly-touted MIAA freshmen, scored 13 and 21 points in the respective contests. She's already an impact starter, adding another dangerous element to the Warriors.
3. St. Mary's (9-1)
Previous ranking: 3
Next game: vs. Cathedral, Jan. 14, 6:30 p.m.
A tough-nosed Bridgewater-Raynham defense tested the Spartans on Tuesday, but they hung on and earned a 55-48 win before crusing past Billerica, 52-24, on Friday. Bella Owumi still leads the way, but St. Mary's is receiving different notable contributors across stretches of games — SySy Mcausland Emmanuel and Reese Matela last week — which is a good sign. This upcoming matchup with Cathedral, which I plan to attend, should be one of the great MIAA showdowns of the regular season.
4. Cathedral (7-2)
Previous ranking: 4
Next game: at St. Mary's, Jan. 14, 6:30 p.m.
Finishing my previous thought — Cathedral vs. St. Mary's has become one of the premier MIAA basketball rivalries, in my opinion. It feels like the two powerhouses always play each other close, and they both have small home courts, so there's a bit more of a level playing field. I'll be excited to see how Cathedral defends Owumi on St. Mary's, and to see the guard matchup of the Panthers' Keyona Raines and the Spartans' Lily Norton.
The Panthers secured wins against Leominster and Archbishop Williams before losing Saturday to Immaculate Conception (N.J.). I'm not overly concerned about that loss; Immaculate Conception is one of the best teams in New Jersey and competes against some national powerhouses.
5. Woburn (8-0)
Previous ranking: 5
Next game: vs. Wilmington, Jan. 14, 7:00 p.m.
Belmont seems to give the Tanners the most trouble in conference play during recent seasons. But Woburn still passed the test with a 65-59 road win Friday to continue their Middlesex League reign of terror. Mckenna Morrison scored 17 points in that victory and had 21 in Tuesday's blowout win against Watertown.
6. Norwell (7-1)
Previous ranking: 6
Next game: vs. Weymouth, Jan. 16, 6:30 p.m.
Norwell is cruising through the South Shore League, most recently beating East Bridgewater and Middleboro by 21 and 22 points, respectively. Star senior Maddie Oliver averaged 18 points and 11 rebounds across the two games.
7. Foxboro (6-1)
Previous ranking: 9
Next game: at Attleboro, Jan. 14, 6:00 p.m.
Kailey Sullivan came roaring back with 35 points Tuesday to help the Warriors defeat King Philip, 76-53. They then logged a 50-point blowout win against Stoughton, getting on track after the previous week's loss to Oliver Ames. Foxboro plays three games in four days this week, ending with a challenging Friday matchup against a Mansfield squad that just took down Bridgewater-Raynham.
8. Wachusett (7-1)
Previous ranking: 8
Next game: at Algonquin, Jan. 14, 6:00 p.m.
Wachusett ran into regional powerhouse Bedford (N.H.) on Saturday, and though the Mountaineers battled, they slowly gave up a 63-43 loss. They played competitively enough that I still feel comfortable slotting them in the Top 10; consider that top-ranked Bishop Feehan also lost to Bedford by 12. The Mountaineers have winnable contests on paper over the next two weeks. I'm next looking forward to their road game at Nashoba on Jan. 28.
9. Dartmouth (7-0)
Previous ranking: 10
Next game: vs. Durfee, Jan. 13, 6:30 p.m.
After dropping 41 points in Bridgewater-Raynham's gym last winter, Kat Cheesebro came back with 39 on Friday in a 55-43 win. That was a big test for Dartmouth, who could feasibly enter February unbeaten. This team very much goes with Cheesebro, but I do want to shout out Kaelyn Zuber (10 points vs. the Trojans) and Remy Barber, who have been solid contributors among the depth.
10. Pembroke (7-0)
Previous ranking: NR
Next game: vs. Quincy, Jan. 14, 6:00 p.m.
I wish I could be in two places at once because this upcoming Patriot League clash should be awesome. Pembroke receives its toughest test of the season against a Quincy team that could potentially rejoin the rankings with a win. They most recently powered past Silver Lake, 56-34, behind 20 points from Allie Dwyer. The Titans have yet to let an opponent score 50 points — which Quincy (8-1) has done in eight of nine games.
On the radar: Central Catholic, Chelmsford, Notre Dame (Hingham), Pittsfield, Quincy
