By Russ Waterman
MaxPreps.com
Heading into the MIAA playoffs this week, Brockton stands alone with a perfect record (20-0) among all boys public high school teams in Massachusetts. Back to try and defend its state championship of a year ago is Central Catholic in Division 1, Catholic Memorial in Division 2 and North Cambridge Catholic in Division 4.
Division 1 South
Brockton, MaxPreps.com’s No. 1-ranked boys squad in the state, features a deep, big and athletic squad led by Louis Montes and Jarrod DeVaughn. But Big Three opponent Durfee with its strong perimeter play and Newton North with 6-foot-8 junior center Greg Kelley in the middle expect to make a run. Dennis Clifford, a 6-11 junior center for Bridgewater-Raynham, has been a major force in the middle for the Trojans.
Other players to watch: P.J. Douglas of Braintree, the state's leading scorer at 30.1 points per game, and Tavone Wynder of Newton South.
Division 1 North
Even with veteran stars Billy Marsden and 6-10 junior center Carson Desrosiers, Central Catholic will be tested by several talent-rich squads. Lynn English has a balanced attack led by Ryan Woumn and Lexington has versatile 6-7 center Danny O'Keefe heading the Minutemen. Malden took a severe hit when its star 6-8 sophomore center, Egi Gjikondi, was recently ejected for the second time this season and by MIAA rules is suspended for a full year.
Other players to watch include Jerome Cohen of Everett, Nate Simpson of Lowell and Jarell Byrd and Jasper Grassa of Lynn Classical.
Division 1 Central
St. John's (Shrewsbury) returns several players from its 2008 state finalist squad, including 6-9 center Matt LaBove and sophomore Richard Rodgers. Fitchburg, behind a run-and-gun attack spearheaded by Hamed Akanni, has split with St. John's. Worcester North features Markese Berry and Cedric Kuakumensahas while Quabbin's grind-it-out squad allows fewer than 45 points per game. Kellon Hayes can pour in points for Wachusett and Doherty with Yawin Smallwood could also emerge as a spoiler.
Division 1 West
Ellis Cooper and Jesse Coulon helped put top seed Northampton on a 12-game winning path. Sci-Tech likes to set a blistering pace with Tyron Wiggins and Theo Robinson and beat the Blue Devils by one point in their only meeting. The Cybercats weathered a grueling schedule with just one loss to Central, who could be a sleeper driven by the backcourt combination of Jordan Smith and Jared Johnson.
Division 2 North
Westford Academy charges into the sectionals with a 19-1 record behind its all-time leading scorer, Peter Lynch. Fifteen wins in a row make North Andover dangerous and Woburn relies heavily on star Hanell Velez.
Division 2 South
Top seed Bishop Feehan is followed by seven other squads with four or fewer losses, including defending state champion Catholic Memorial and its star, Allen Harris. Duxbury, Mansfield, Franklin, Milton and Stoughton also have talent as does sleeper Dartmouth with football stars Justin Mello, Arthur Lynch and Sean Sylvia.
Others to watch: Matt Palazini, Franklin; Ike Azotam, O'Bryant; Mike Byron, Oliver Ames; Evan Taylor and Darteye Ruffin (possibly sidelined while recovering from a hand injury), Stoughton; Marcus McDermott, Milton; Mark Brust, Duxbury.
Division 2 Central
Victor Martinez plays big for undersized and top-seeded Southbridge. Northbridge has Casey Hippert and Zach Zidelis as its go-to players. Grafton, behind stellar play of Jake Storey and Dan Tessier are solid while two-time Central Mass. champion Tantasqua still commands lots of respect, especially due to all-around athlete Brandon Forcier.
Division 2 West
It's wide open, though Robbie Burke and his Hoosac Valley squad have been nearly unbeatable since an opening-game loss. Fans look forward to a possible rematch between Taconic and Drury after a two-overtime, 68-67, affair won by Taconic in which Chris Bush scored 21 and Cam Kazimierczak (16) provided late heroics.
Division 3 North
Few opponents have contained Bishop Fenwick’s duo of 6-7 senior center Mike Clifford (27 points, 18 rebounds per game) and Nolan DiPanfilo. Same goes Watertown twins Kyle and Corey Stockmal. Greater Lawrence and North Reading may have the best opportunity to find the right formula.
Division 3 South
South Coast League champion Wareham comes in on a 12-game tear behind a revved-up offense (81 points per game) led by Jordan Rezendes, Pat Murphy and Jules Tavares. The defense isn’t too bad either, allowing just 53 points per game. The Abington Green Wave duo of Ryan Chambers and Kristian LaPointe has forged the way to a one-loss season. Also in the field is 2008 state finalist Scituate and its 1,000-point plus junior guard Rodney Beldo. The top two Tri-Valley League squads, Medfield and Norton, also expect to be in the mix.
Division 3 Central
Jon Copeland and Stefan Forsberg are the prime-time players for the top-seed Sutton Sammies, who have lost close contests to Division 2 Millbury and Division 1 Worcester North and Worcester South. University Park and Nashoba Tech are also in the hunt.
Division 3 West
Andre King and freshman phenom Kamali Bey have driven Sabis to a 20-1 record (only loss to Watertown). But can they for the third time this season defeat Springfield cross-town rival New Leadership and the efforts of Phil Warrick, Devante Vanderpool, Eric Brown and Chad Jackson?
Division 4 North
Sophomore guard Jaymie Spears and Julio Colon helped top seed Georgetown corral second place in Cape Ann League (Small). Perhaps they could face Winthrop and its dominant player, Dino Mallios, or St. Clement's Gerald Contaldi and Deray Willis. North Cambridge Catholic lost some key players from last year's state title squad but 6-8 forward Mario Monroe is an impact player who could carry NCC back all the way again.
Division 4 South
With former Avon sensation Akeem Williams now in prep school, that opens the door for several teams. Top seed Westport, Mayflower League Large champion, has a balanced attack headed by C.J. Moss. David Hill has starred for Old Colony. But Cathedral, second in the tough Catholic Central League (Large) may have the competitive edge. Among players to watch is Triant Xypteras of Hull, averaging 24.5 points per game.
