By Russ Waterman
MaxPreps.com
Several teams and players who have performed at high levels during the regular season in Eastern Massachusetts will now be challenged to step it up a notch or two for the MIAA playoffs, which begin on Monday and culminate with the state championships on March 15 in Worcester.
Here is a look at how the various divisions shape up:
Division 1
Half of the Boston Globe's top 10 teams – No. 1 Charlestown (19-0), No. 2 Lowell (18-1), No. 4 Central Catholic (18-2), No. 6 Everett (17-1) and No. 9 Lexington (16-4) – reside in the North Region. An early must-see game: Salem (15-5) at Lexington on Feb. 25.
The Charlestown Townies, who convincingly defeated Boston College High, 62-49, and other top-caliber squads, are averaging 82 points per game while allowing just 56 points. Ravon Dunbar, Greg Hackett and Shabazz Napier are part of an ever-shifting lineup that has disrupted several teams this season with swarming defense.
It has been difficult to stop Lowell, especially on the inside, with 6-foot-5 forward Matt Welch and 6-3 forward Fernando Perez. Central Catholic features Adrian Gonzalez, a Bentley College-bound 6-5 forward, in addition to Bill Marsden and Watson Constant.
Everett has an up tempo attack fueled by a staunch defense (54 ppg). That Crimson Tide team toughness probably shouldn't be a surprise, considering star football running back Isaac Johnson (signed by Boston College) is in the lineup; they are also bolstered by the inside play of rugged forwards Jerome Cohen and Jim Noel.
In the South Region, Brockton (18-2) and second-seeded BC High (17-3), the defending state champions, have drawn byes, with all other teams having at least five losses. But it won't be a cakewalk for either squad.
The Boxers, whose challenging schedule featured 14 wins against 16 state-tournament qualifying teams, have a racehorse style built around Jarrod DeVaughn, Shaun Yard, Kyle Geary, Kendall Gillian and Louis Montes. The BC High Eagles, who also faced a dozen playoff-bound teams (including a loss to Brockton) have two of the state's premier forwards in 6-8 Jake O'Brien and Ryan Sharry.
Among other South teams in contention are Newton North (15-5), Framingham (14-6), North Quincy (15-7), Weymouth (12-6) and Taunton (12-6). Apollo Wade, one of the premier guards in the state, spearheads Taunton, which has absorbed five losses by five points or fewer.
Two former heavyweights and perennial powers from the Big Three Conference also qualified in the South, though it's strange to see New Bedford (11-9) seeded 13th and Durfee (11-9) at 14.
Division 2
In what looks to be a contentious North Region, Marblehead (16-4) is seeded first and for good reason: the Magicians hold opponents to 46 ppg and knocked off Division 1 and No. 10 Salem earlier in the season.
But there are plenty of contenders from a lineup that includes Woburn (15-5), North Andover (15-5), Masconomet (13-7) and number 5 through 7 seeds Westford, Beverly and Dracut, all at 12-8.
The South has Stoughton, 17-3 and winners of 13 of its last 14 games, as the top seed. Its talented contingent includes 6-9 Dartaye Ruffin and 6-5 Evan Taylor on the inside and Joe Jeudy and freshman Kris Joyce on the perimeter.
If Stoughton advances, there is a potential collision with Number 4 Dartmouth, which has beaten Division 1 power Brockton and has football standout Jordan Todman, Eastern Massachusetts’ all-time leading rusher who led the Indians to the 2007 state football finals.
In the other bracket of Division 2 South, No. 2 Nauset (17-3), No. 3 Plymouth North (17-3) and No. 6 Catholic Memorial (16-4) can't be counted out. Catholic Memorial, which averages over 83 points per game, split with BC High and narrowly lost to Brockton (91-90). Another game of interest: 11 seed Franklin at Catholic Memorial on Tuesday, Feb. 26.
For Nauset, the Atlantic Coast League South champions, its dynamic duo is Brett Conrad (16 ppg) and Connor Seymour. The Plymouth North Eagles, which won their first ACL North title, rely on several players, including Brett Tirlia (21 ppg), Jordan Wylie, Keegan Grabhorn and Corey Coleman.
Division 3
As top seed in Division 3 North, the Wildcats of Wilmington, spearheaded by Zach Fahey and Matt Bibeau, might have a chip on their shoulder following a late-season loss to Hamilton-Wenham (whom they could meet again in the quarterfinals).
Waiting in the wings might be a possible matchup with second seed and No. 8 Watertown (18-2), the defending Division 3 state champions, who rely heavily on contributions by twin guards Kyle and Cory Stockmal, and Benyam Kerman
If Watertown and three seed Bedford (7th in the poll) confront each other, that matchup would bring back memories of last season, when Watertown overcame the Buccaneers by five points in the playoffs on its way to the state title. Bedford, double-digit winners in every game but one this season, has been sizzling behind efforts from Gerry Cohen, Ryan Paganetti, Chris Abner and Ryne Tillman, among others.
Medfield, ranked No. 12, and Norwell, No. 13, are the smallest schools with the highest Eastern Mass rankings and are seeded first and second in Division 3 South. Yet for them to meet in the finals, they will have to get past the likes of Wareham (18-2), Scituate (17-2) and Seekonk (17-3), which is ranked 17th and features Tyler Patch, the second-leading scorer in Eastern Mass. at 30 ppg.
Unbeaten Medfield completed its first perfect regular season in 26 years on Feb. 15 (according to the Milford Daily News). The Warriors are anchored by guard Joey Richman and forward Matt Connelly. Norwell (19-1) has lost only to Division 2 Oliver Ames (48-45); the Clippers defense (47 ppg) makes them a formidable opponent.
However, Wareham, winners of 16 straight and banking on brothers Ryan and Tyler Pina and freshman Jules Tavares, are a handful for any team. Blaine O'Brien and Sean McCarthy on the inside and Rodney Beldo on the perimeter are part of a very strong lineup for Scituate, winners of 17 of its last 18 contests.
Division 4
The Falcons of Trinity Catholic (18-2), with 6-6 center Uche Egesionu forging the way, have the best record by far in the Division 4 North pairings, with Austin Prep (13-7), Georgetown (12-7) and Mystic Valley (11-7) as the ensuing seeds.
Austin Prep would relish advancing to the Division 4 North finals to meet Trinity. Despite their record, the Cougars have caused Trinity fits, being the only team to mar an otherwise perfect record for the Falcons, defeating them twice.
In the South, top seed Westport (18-2), which has been in overtime, double overtime and triple overtime contests this season, have C.J. Moss as its prime offensive weapon. But Westport faces stiff competition from three Mayflower League teams with 16-4 records: West Bridgewater, Avon (averaging 85 ppg with Akeem Williams at 32.3 ppg and Derrick McCottrell at 27 ppg) and Southeastern.
Cathedral, despite its 14-6 mark and number five seed, is the ultimate sleeping giant, having met and defeated many Division 3 and 4 playoff qualifiers, including Archbishop Williams (twice) and Cardinal Spellman.
Russ Waterman covers Massachusetts, Rhode Island and the New England Preps for MaxPreps. He may be reached at rwathoop3@aol.com.
