The blizzard of 2026 could have delayed issues a day or two, however March Insanity has lastly arrived in Massachusetts. Of the 215 boys basketball applications getting into the statewide event, solely 5 shall be topped state champions.
The Div. 1 discipline is loaded with the Merrimack Valley Convention boasting two heavyweights. Central Catholic (18-2), which earned the highest seed, is fueled by Brandeis commit Javi Lopez. The Raiders are vying for his or her first championship since 2010. Its major competitors may simply be a bitter rival in second-seeded Andover (18-2). Dave Fazio’s teams are acquainted with success, and his newest squad is powered by guard Josh Roux.
Needham (18-2) dominated the Bay State Convention all season lengthy, incomes the No. 3 seed. With scoring choices resembling Foster Wilinski and Ben Marino, the Rockets shall be a harmful group to look at.
No. 4 BC Excessive (14-6) is perhaps probably the most constant group out of the Catholic Convention, as Invoice Loughnane’s squad enjoyed noteworthy victories over a number of the state’s finest. Underneath new coach Mark Garrity, eighth-seeded Malden Catholic (14-6) started with a scorching 11-0 start, however battled by means of some powerful video games late within the season.
No. 10 Xaverian (12-8) took the alternative route, opening with a 2-6 report earlier than closing issues on a powerful 10-2 stretch. No. 16 Catholic Memorial (11-9) could be a sleeper team to look at with sophomore Jacari Jenkins rising as one of many state’s high gamers.
A number of the different early favorites in Div. 1 embody fifth-seeded New Bedford (17-3), which is having one in all its finest seasons in years. No. 6 Bridgewater-Raynham (16-4) is battle-tested, having performed one of many commonwealth’s hardest schedules (and efficiently, at that). Seventh-seeded Attleboro (20-2) comparatively cruised by means of the daunting Hockomock League. No. 13 Brockton (13-7) and No. 14 Bishop Feehan (13-7) must also not be missed.
St. Mary’s (Lynn) noticed a whirlwind of modifications in 2025. The college swapped coaches with Josh Kielty stepping in for longtime chief Dave Brown, and moved as much as Div. 2. But, not much has changed for the program. The Spartans (19-3) ran roughshod by means of the common season to achieve the highest seed. Jake Fortier and Rolky Brea Arias are two of the highest gamers for this juggernaut.
Pope Francis (18-3) coasted by means of its Western Mass. slate en path to claiming the second seed whereas followers of third-ranked Masconomet (17-3) have clamored for respect all winter, and earned it with noteworthy wins over high quality applications resembling Beverly (twice), Swampscott, Catholic Memorial and Georgetown.
No. 4 Plymouth South (17-3) is among the high Patriot League groups, and can lean on Logan Volkringer for scoring.
The Hockomock League titans shall be contending in Div. 2, as at all times. Mansfield (17-5) enters because the No. 5 seed, with one of many commonwealth’s finest coaches in Michael Vaughan. Seventh-ranked Oliver Ames (18-4) witnessed the emergence of senior guard Justin Grimaldi, making the Tigers a menace.
Different groups to eye in Div. 2 embody No. 6 Burlington (17-3), No. 9 Newburyport (18-2) and No. 10 Archbishop Williams (13-7). No. 12 Holland (18-4) captured the Boston City League championship and will additionally embark on a deep run.
The Div. 3 bracket may very well be damaged down into tiers with two clear-cut leaders on the high. No. 1 Hanover (19-1) dropped its solely sport within the closing week of the season to Plymouth South, and is trying to confirm itself as a possible state finalist. Ryan Mutschler leads the Hawks as their major scoring menace.
Second-ranked Salem (19-2) notched terrific wins over state heavyweights resembling St. Mary’s, Beverly and Masconomet, and it’s fairly believable the Witches might conflict with the top-seeded Hawks on the Tsongas Heart when all is alleged and finished.
Main the subsequent crop of contenders consists of third-seeded Tewksbury (15-5) and No. 4 Swampscott (16-4), propelled by Connor Chiarello and Teddy O’Neill. Fifth-ranked HS of Science and Tech (17-4) and No. 6 Lynn Classical (17-3) every confirmed impeccable flashes this season, and stay harmful. No. 7 Outdated Rochester (13-7) has loads of expertise in relation to the playoffs, and longtime coach Steve Carvalho can have his group prepared once more. Cathedral (13-5) made its return to prominence because the No. 10 seed.
Then, there are at all times the South Shore League suspects. No. 13 Norwell (14-6) captured the Div. 3 title final winter, and is trying to repeat. No. 14 Abington (14-8) boasts one of many state’s premier gamers in Kingston Maxwell, whereas No. 15 Rockland (17-3) has been a buzzsaw for opponents.
Wareham has been a outstanding program all through its historical past, capturing a Div. 4 title as lately as 2024. The Vikings endured a .500 season final winter, however returned with vengeance to achieve the highest seed at 16-5.
Second-seeded Millbury (18-3) stored tempo with Wareham all season within the energy rankings. After successful the Div. 4 championship final 12 months, Georgetown had a training change as Kevin Honest took over. Led by Brendan Loewen, Irving Zapata and Meziah Rodriguez, the No. 3 Royals (15-5) clinched the Cape Ann League Baker title as soon as once more, and have finished so despite a really troublesome schedule.
Div. 5 is troublesome to foretell, because it seems to have two sturdy candidates in top-seeded Drury (19-2) and a current state finalist in No. 2 Hopedale (15-3). Then, there’s loads of parity. KIPP Academy is the third seed (12-8), with David Prouty (15-5) slotted fourth. No. 6 Holbrook (18-2) dominated all season, whereas eighth-seeded Hoosac Valley (13-8) has had previous success in tournaments. No. 15 Bethany Christian is an intriguing college coming off an undefeated marketing campaign, albeit abbreviated at 12-0.
PREDICTIONS
DIV. 1
Champion: No. 1 Central Catholic
Remaining 4: No. 1 Central Catholic, No. 2 Andover, No. 5 New Bedford, No. 6 Bridgewater-Raynham
Sleeper: No. 16 Catholic Memorial
Greatest First Spherical Matchup: No. 15 Cambridge vs. No. 18 Marshfield
Potential Upset: No. 22 Winchester over No. 11 Lexington
DIV. 2
Champion: No. 1 St. Mary’s
Remaining 4: No. 1 St. Mary’s, No. 3 Masconomet, No. 7 Oliver Ames, No. 12 Holland (Burke)
Sleeper: No. 17 Shepherd Hill
Greatest First Spherical Matchup: No. 16 Foxboro vs. No. 17 Shepherd Hill
Potential Upset: No. 22 Bishop Stang over No. 11 Longmeadow
DIV. 3
Champion: No. 2 Salem
Remaining 4: No. 1 Hanover, No. 2 Salem, No. 6 Lynn Classical, No. 13 Norwell
Sleeper: No. 15 Rockland
Greatest First Spherical Matchup: No. 31 Saugus vs. No. 34 Lowell Catholic
Potential Upset: No. 42 Hudson over No. 23 Chelsea
DIV. 4
Champion: No. 3 Georgetown
Remaining 4: No. 1 Wareham, No. 3 Georgetown, No. 5 New Mission, No. 7 Lynn Tech
Sleeper: No. 18 Frontier
Greatest First Spherical Matchup: No. 14 Sutton vs. No. 19 Northbridge
Potential Upset: No. 21 Mashpee over No. 12 Clinton
DIV. 5
Champion: No. 2 Hopedale
Remaining 4: No. 1 Drury, No. 2 Hopedale, No. 3 KIPP Academy, No. 4 David Prouty
Sleeper: No. 16 Avon
Greatest First Spherical Matchup: No. 15 Bethany Christian vs. No. 18 Outdated Colony
Potential Upset: No. 39 Abby Kelley Foster over No. 26 Brighton
