After three state titles within the final 4 years, longtime Division 2 powerhouse Malden Catholic now resides in Division 1. Led by new coach Mark Garrity, the Lancers have jumped out to a powerful begin, profitable their first six video games.
“For us, not a lot is altering,” Garrity mentioned. “We’re nonetheless going to play the identical approach. Our emphasis is on stress, rebounding, and shutting out possessions. We have to deal with being the perfect we could be. If we do this, the division doesn’t matter.”
To upset the established Div. 1 powers, MC must surpass a proficient subject that features Bridgewater-Raynham, Needham, Attleboro and Marshfield. One other contender is Newton North, which fell to Franklin within the state title sport final season. With a brand new coach in John McNamara, Newton North seems able to take the following step ahead.
“Our objective is to win the Bay State Convention, then construct off that success within the postseason,” mentioned McNamara, a 2005 alum who changed Paul Connolly after his 24 seasons on the helm. “So as to do this, it takes a each day dedication to excellence.”
Newton North’s state title sport defeat serves as motivation for this yr’s group, which is led by Mathaios Stamm, Bryson Mercedes, Jake Lyons, Julian Zakak and Luke Washek.
No dialogue of Div. 1 contenders is full with out Merrimack Valley League staples Central Catholic, Andover and Lowell.
With a roster that options reigning league MVP Javi Lopez, Drew O’Keefe, Jeremiah Almanza and Jordan Marion, all of whom performed a significant function final season, Central Catholic is a favourite to win all of it in 2026. However Mark Dunham is difficult his gamers to not look past the problem in entrance of them.
“We’re excellent on paper, however being good on paper doesn’t win video games,” Dunham mentioned. “We’re not studying the press clippings. For us to make a deep run, we should be in elite form and be the perfect defensive group within the state. Our objective is to boost a banner, and we’re going to do all the things we are able to to make that occur.”
Beverly additionally can’t be ignored in Div. 1. A gritty, well-coached group that includes elite scorer Jacob Klass, the Panthers received their first 4 video games, together with a victory towards Andover, earlier than struggling their first loss towards Central Catholic on Tuesday.
“I’ve an excellent group of children who’re very proficient and work very exhausting,“ mentioned Beverly coach Matt Karakoudas, who can be constructing his group round Danny Pierce, Eli Landman and Dom Paniello Torres, a switch from Bishop Fenwick. “They’ve nice attitudes they usually’re enjoyable to be round.”
Regardless of MC’s departure, the remainder of Div. 2 didn’t have time to register a collective sigh of aid. That’s as a result of a brand new addition in St. Mary’s of Lynn has arrived with its personal championship aspirations. After profitable its first six video games, new St. Mary’s coach Josh Keilty is forging an identification for his group constructed round self-discipline on protection.
“We’re simply making an attempt to get higher day-after-day,” mentioned Keilty, who led Georgetown to the D4 state title final season. “We have now a easy method constructed across the significance of protection. We’re going to stay with that and see what occurs.”
Defending champ Somerset Berkley graduated most of its roster, placing the Div. 2 title inside attain for a bunch of contenders. After ending in final season’s remaining 4, Masconomet and Oliver Ames prime that checklist.
“That very same pit we had in our stomachs final yr once we misplaced to Somerset Berkley, that’s what we’re going to offer to each group we play this season,” mentioned Masconomet coach Jaycob Morales, whose Chieftains had a 16-point lead at halftime earlier than Somerset Berkley stormed again. “For us, we have to proceed to take a step ahead.”
OA took Malden Catholic to the brink of elimination in final season’s remaining 4, shedding by one in time beyond regulation. Eric MacKinnon’s group kicked off the brand new marketing campaign with a decided tenacity, with the Tigers profitable their opening 4 video games due to their defensive prowess.
“We all know we’ve got to depend on our protection,” MacKinnon mentioned. “Final yr was extra about offense, however this season is completely different. Our guys take pleasure in being playmakers with suggestions and deflections.”
Dropping three of their first 4 video games was not the best way Mansfield coach Michael Vaughan envisioned beginning the season, however he’s watching his squad enhance – and get more healthy – sooner or later at a time.
“A lot of what we do revolves round valuing the ball,” mentioned Vaughan, whose group received 20 video games final season. “From rebounds to turnovers to offensive and defensive possessions, we’re going to must worth the ball at a very excessive degree if we wish to succeed at a excessive degree.”
