Across MIAA, some of the best talent the state had to offer decided to go the prep school route this spring.
Amir Jenkins led a pack of guards from Worcester North’s back-to-back state title winner to prep schools around New England. Josiah Adamson departed Catholic Memorial for CATS Academy. Jaeden Roberts transferred from Burke to Putnam Science. From Charlestown, Jaylen Hunter-Coleman went to Northfield Mount Hermon and Jaylin Williams-Crawford took his talents to CATS. The list goes on and on, as it typically does every year.
But there’s still plenty of great players in the MIAA who should be on your radar this season. Some have stuck around to try to win more with their schools, others are ready to take another leap this winter to get exposure from potential colleges.
Here’s our watch list of 10 MIAA players to know for this season.
Matt Breen, Shawsheen Tech
6-9 senior center
The big man significantly boosted his stock this summer playing with Mass Rivals on the MADE Hoops circuit, and it even resulted in some Division 1 interest. He’s a strong rim protector who also possesses a smooth offensive game, and has some range, too. While he may be overlooked because of where he plays, Breen is a name to know. He turned down prep school opportunities because he wants to create a legacy at Shawsheen, and he’s looking forward to going out on a high note this winter.
Cole Craffey, Oliver Ames
6-2 senior guard
After spending last season at Brimmer & May, Craffey has returned to Oliver Ames, where he began his high school career and broke out as a sophomore. At 6-foot-3, Craffey is crafty and skilled and can score in bunches. He’ll be one of the best players in MIAA this winter and makes Oliver Ames a dark horse in the Hockomock League.
Matt Gaffney, Malden Catholic
5-11 senior guard
NCAA: Navy
The best returning player in MIAA, Gaffney is the unquestioned leader of a Malden Catholic team seeking a fourth consecutive Div. 2 championship. The Wakefield native does it all as the Lancers’ lead guard, from scoring to playmaking, and he’s fresh off a huge summer, when he helped the Middlesex Magic to a Hoop Group championship before committing to Navy.
MORE: Inside Gaffney's journey, pursuit of history at Malden Catholic
Ben Howard, Malden Catholic
6-3 senior forward
Not to be overshadowed by Gaffney, Howard has been an integral part of Malden Catholic’s Div. 2 dynasty. The 6-foot-4 post player averaged 12 points and 11 rebounds per game to help the Lancers to their third consecutive title, and he’ll be counted on again as one of the best big men in MIAA.
Javi Lopez, Central Catholic
6-1 junior guard
Lopez point guard took a big jump as a sophomore last season, becoming a captain and Central Catholic’s leading scorer at 18 points per game as he was named a Merrimack Valley All-Star. He’ll be leaned on heavily again this winter, and he seems ready for it. Central coach Mark Dunham said Lopez put on some muscle, and his ball handling and defense has continued to grow.
Tzar Powell-Aparicio, Lowell
6-0 senior guard
Powell-Aparicio averaged 17 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals last season as he earned a Merrimack Valley All-Star selection. He does it all for Lowell, from scoring to rebounding and facilitating, and he has the ball in his hands often for the Red Raiders. He’s looking to improve in those areas even more this season with eyes set on playing college basketball next fall.
Nathan Reynolds, Bourne
6-6 senior forward
Reynolds was the South Coast Conference MVP last season as he produced 21 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks per game for Bourne, en route to the Div. 4 final. The Canalmen are hoping for more of the same from him this winter, and maybe even better. Bourne head coach Scott Ashworth said Reynolds has increased his range this summer, making him even more dangerous.
TOP 10: The first MIAA boys power rankings of the season
Josh Roux, Andover
5-11 sophomore guard
Roux had a breakout season as a freshman last winter, averaging 14 points per game as he was named a Merrimack Valley League All-Star. A starter last season, he is arguably the best 3-point shooter in MIAA. After several key pieces left Andover, he’s expected to have an even bigger winter as a sophomore.
Caden Sullivan, Franklin
6-1 senior guard
NCAA: Endicott
After missing most of his sophomore season, Sullivan broke out as a junior as he was named a Hockomock League All-Star and helped lead Franklin to the Div. 1 championship game. With the Panthers experiencing so much turnover, there will be even more on Sullivan’s shoulders this winter. Franklin head coach CJ Neely loves that Sullivan has committed to both ends. He shut down Catholic Memorial star Ryan Higgins in the Final Four last season, and takes pride creating havoc defensively.
Teagan Swint, Newton North
6-4 senior guard
NCAA: Johns Hopkins
Swint is one of the best scorers in the state, which he showed last winter as he averaged 24 points per game. That included a school-record 45-point performance. That will certainly continue this winter, but Newton North head coach Paul Connolly has noticed that his 6-foot-4 guard has improved his vision and developed more trust in his more experienced teammates. With so much attention expected on Swint, his improved playmaking ability will be key in the Tigers’ success this winter.
Other names to know: Aiden Pires, sophomore guard, Catholic Memorial; Ryan Bernard, junior forward, Natick; Amare Rose, sophomore guard, Wareham; Mike Dankert, senior forward, Bourne; Jasaad Fenton, senior guard, Burke; JJ Martinez, junior guard, St. Mary's
