[ad_1]
Massachusetts high school basketball season hasn’t totally returned to normal, but it’s getting there.
Masks should always be worn by everyone in the gym, although this may change in the near future. Fan capacities are no longer limited. In my opinion, winter sports tournaments always create the best atmosphere. Most teams didn’t play non-championship games last winter, and without a statewide tournament, there’s a lot of unknowns heading into this season.
Expect plenty of changes to the poll, especially in the first couple of weeks. Here’s how things turned out last season. Either way, we’re excited to cover what we expect to be a more normal basketball season. The new tournament format, which is statewide and no longer has chapters, produced some great rivalry games in the heart of fall.
KEEP AN EYE ON THESE 65:Rookies and scorers on the rise: 65 high school boys basketball players from the South Shore to watch
End of last season’s standings in brackets.
1. BC High (10)
Mike Loughnane, a 6-4 senior goalie, is one of the best players in the area. There is a two-time Patriot Ledger All-Scholastic who has averaged 21.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game over the previous two seasons. Mahari Guerrier (13.5 points per game) is another player to watch. The Catholic Conference is always a chore no matter what the sport, but the Eagles appear to be one of the best teams in their league and the state.
2. Whitman-Hanson (1)
The Panthers ended the 2020 and 2021 seasons at the top of this poll. WH was undefeated last season and is leading a 35-game winning streak stretching back to well before the 2020 State Championship. The Panthers have a new core this season with Nate Amado and Cole LeVangie putting their talents to work in the college game. This team will be led by Amari Jamison and Ryan Vallancourt; both return Enterprise All-Scholastics. Malcolm Alcorn-Crowder is an imposing force in the painting and he will give the Panthers an offensive threat they haven’t had in the past.
Following:25 male and female college basketball players with local ties to watch this season
Following:HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL: Forget the 35-game streak, it’s a new Whitman-Hanson team
3. Hingham (5)
The Harbormens found their rhythm at the end of last season and reached the Patriot League Cup final. Hingham brings back a lot from this team. The Harbormens were competitive with WH last season, but it should be a good battle in the Keenan division of the Patriot League. Marshfield will be another team in this mix. Nick Johannes is a key turner; he was a Patriot Ledger All-Scholastic after averaging a double-double (14.2 points, 10.1 rebounds) as a junior.
4. Brockton (2)
The Boxers graduated a ton of talent from last season’s squad that won the Southeastern Conference regular season and playoff titles. Cameron Monteiro, a second-year point guard, and Niko Lutz, a 6-7 senior center, are good building blocks. Brockton’s first four games (Dracut, BC High, WH, Hingham) will be tough. If the Boxers can come out of the first month with a winning record, expect them to move up this list quickly.
Following:HS BOYS BASKETBALL: Brockton gets Bridgewater-Raynham’s best in SEC Championship again
5. Middleboro (3)
The Sachems are returning a lot of key pieces from last season’s squad. This group won Middleboro’s first league title in 22 years. Wes James graduated after recording a monster season, but Gianni Perea is back after averaging 18.5 points per game last winter. The Sachems are here to prove that they are not a one-hit wonder and frankly I am a believer.
Following:HS BOYS BASKETBALL: there is a turnaround in Middleboro
6. Abington (3)
Bulletin board material here. The Green Wave has reached the final game of the season three years in a row. In 2019, Abington lost in the national final. In 2020, the Green Wave won the state semifinals before COVID canceled the state championship. Last season, the Green Wave beat Randolph in the South Shore League Cup final. Tommy Fanara and Antwone Graham Jr. make up an electric back suit, but Abington has a few questions to answer about their size on the inside.
BACK BACK:HS BOYS BASKETBALL: Abington wins rubber match against Randolph in SSL Championship
7. Randolph (6)
Coach Kalon Jenkins still has the Blue Devils in the mix. Randolph is riding the momentum that has surely been passed on from a Division 8 state title during the football season. The Blue Devils will be a team to watch in Div. 4 this winter.
Following:VIDEO: Randolph High football wins first state title with victory over Hull
8. Quincy North (NR)
In freshman Daithi Quinn quickly established himself as one of the best players in the region. He was the only freshman to win the Patriot Ledger All-Scholastic honors averaging 16 points and 6 rebounds per game. The Raiders have other returns in a team that surprised last winter. North Quincy will be a team to watch this season.
9. Olivier Ames (4)
Hall of Fame coach Don Byron died at the age of 68 over the summer following a battle with throat cancer. The Tigers will play with a heavy heart this season. Byron’s teams won 448 games during his coaching tenure, including many at OA and Abington. On December 23, these two schools will meet in a great basketball game for a better cause. The product of this confrontation (6.30 p.m. at OA) will benefit Coaches vs. Cancer. The Tigers have just completed a 9-1 season in which they won the Davenport Division title of the Hockomock League.
Following:Oliver Ames basketball coach Don Byron dies, leaving monumental legacy behind
10. Hanover (9)
The Hawks are still in the mix in the Patriot League. Junior forward Jake Peterson, who is 6-5, gives Hanover a dangerous weapon. He averaged 12 points per game last season. Tuesday’s game against No.3 Hingham is a top game at the start of the season.
On the bubble: Marshfield, Rockland, Weymouth, Braintree
[ad_2]
