Defending champs have grueling path
Catholic Memorial enters a loaded Div. 1 Boys Basketball Tournament field playing as well as any team in Massachusetts as they look to capture their third state championship under head coach Denis Tobin. Malachi Bryant, Peter Gellene, and Ryan Higgins form one of the best guard trios in the Bay State while Brady McGowan, Corey Dolison, and Matthew St. Martin provide the Knights with key depth. Six-footeight center Jacob Cofield is a strong rim protector.
Second-seeded Lawrence, No. 6 Worcester North, and No. 10 Lynn English all are also more than capable of taking home the crown. Bay State Conference foes No. 5 Needham and No. 7 Newton North both have the potential to make plenty of noise. Fourth-seeded Central Catholic plays quality defense as well as any team in Eastern Mass. while No. 11 Beverly has the luxury of superstar Ryder Frost to go with Dylan Crowley.
One of the most intriguing potential games could come in the Round of 16 if No. 9 North Andover and No. 8 Andover earn a third meeting with each other.
Defending champion BC High and Methuen serve as sleepers.
In Div. 2, defending champion Malden Catholic is still the favorite despite a slew of injuries. Sophomore guard Matthew Gaffney has emerged as an elite player. Mike Vaughan’s Mansfield group is hot as the tournament approaches. The Hornets went a sterling 20-2 including a win over previously undefeated Archbishop Williams to close the season. Third-seeded Sharon handed the Hornets their only two losses of the season and have the makings of a serious threat.
Charlestown is young but has plenty of talent highlighted by freshman star Jaylen Hunter-Coleman. Dartmouth hit a speed bump down the stretch after a scalding start, but has a dynamic tandem in Hunter Matteson and Aiden Smith. Wakefield and Burlington both could shake things up in the bracket. Pembroke, who won 12 of its last 16 and has plenty of experience, is a sleeper.
Archbishop Williams (191) is the Div. 3 favorite. St. Mary’s Lynn certainly has championship pieces. If all holds serve, a matchup between No. 9 Hanover and No. 8 Oakmont in the quarterfinals will bring intrigue. John Willis’ Norwell squad had a strong year at 15-5 but a dangerous potential secondround matchup awaits with seventh-seeded Tech Boston.
In Div. 4, Burke sophomore Jaeden Roberts is a special talent. Top-seeded Wareham has the luxury of holding home court but a potential matchup with No. 8 Cathedral in the quarterfinal would not be easy. And don’t overlook defending champion No. 7 Randolph.
Clinton, fresh off a Central
Mass Athletic Directors Association championship, has the makings of a contender to make the state semifinal.
Div. 5 may come down to top-dog Taconic and undefeated No. 2 David Prouty.
DIV. 1
CHAMPION: Catholic Memorial
RUNNER-UP: Worcester North
SLEEPER: North Andover
FINAL FOUR: Catholic Memorial, Lawrence, Needham, Worcester North
BEST FIRST ROUND MATCH: Arlington/Reading winner at Xaverian
POTENTIAL UPSET: Methuen over Brockton
DIV. 2
CHAMPION: Mansfield
RUNNER-UP: Malden Catholic
SLEEPER: Pembroke
FINAL FOUR: Malden Catholic, Mansfield, Charlestown, North Quincy
BEST FIRST ROUND MATCH: Whitman-Hanson at North Quincy
POTENTIAL UPSET: Burlington over Canton
DIV. 3
CHAMPION: Archbishop Williams RUNNER-UP: St. Mary’s
SLEEPER: Oakmont
FINAL FOUR: Archbishop Williams, St. Mary’s, Cardinal Spellman Dover-Sherborn
BEST FIRST ROUND MATCH: Dedham at Apponequet
POTENTIAL UPSET: None
DIV. 4
CHAMPION: Burke
RUNNER-UP: Wareham
SLEEPER: Clinton
FINAL FOUR: Wareham, Burke, Bourne, Clinton
BEST FIRST ROUND MATCH:
Nantucket at Georgetown POTENTIAL UPSET: Carver over Fenway
DIV. 5
CHAMPION: David Prouty
RUNNER-UP: Taconic
SLEEPER: Hoosac Valley
FINAL FOUR: Taconic, David Prouty, Hopedale, Maynard
BEST FIRST ROUND MATCH: Douglas/Atlantis Charter winner at Roxbury Prep Charter
POTENTIAL UPSET: None