MIAA Basketball Top 25: Week 7

A win over Cardinal Spellman at the TD Garden is yet another feather in red-hot Mansfield's cap.   Photo by Eamon Convey.


 Our rankings of the best teams in the state, as selected by our panel of staff writers and correspondents. Records are Through Sunday, January 28th. (Updated 1/29)


1. Brockton (13-0; Last Week - 2) We have a changing of the guard at the top as the Boxers defeated Cambridge before going on the road to defeat Bridgewater-Raynham to remain unbeaten. Brockton will be instantly tested this week when they head to Durfee before hosting Newton North.

 2. Tech Boston (8-0; Last Week - 4) The final three minutes were an avalanche as the Bears’ used their pressure to pick up a statement win over BC High at the MLK Invitational.

3. Franklin (9-1; Last Week - 3) The Panthers continued to play as well anyone this week as they cruised past Canton by 28 points before beating Stoughton on Friday night.

 
4. Springfield Central (13-0; Last Week - 5) Will be hard for the Golden Eagles to avoid looking ahead to the Division 1 State Semifinals with the way their playing.

5. Newton North (10-3; Last Week – 7) Ethan Wright scored 27 points, including two monster dunks over the final minute as the Tigers handed previously No. 1 Needham its first loss.

6. Lowell (11-1; Last Week - 6) The Red Raiders continue to pour it on as they have scored at least 74 points in their last four games.

7. Needham (10-1; Last Week - 1) Rockets struggled to find offense in a road loss to Newton North. They will have to recover quickly with Tech Boston coming to town on Friday.

8. Bishop Stang (13-0; Last Week - 12) The Spartans continue to be awfully impressive. A 22-point effort from Damien Perry led Stang to a 71-53 win over Bishop Feehan on Friday.

9. Everett (9-1; Last Week - 15) Crimson Tide are in control in the Northeastern Conference.

10. Central Catholic (11-3; Last Week - 19) Since a slow, 3-2 start the Raiders have rattled off eight wins over their last nine games. The latest victory was of the comeback variety as they overcame a late deficit to beat St. John’s Prep in overtime.

11. St. Mary’s (Lynn) (11-1; Last Week – 16) St. Mary’s defense continues to be spectacular. They have let up more than 60 points just once this season.

12. Burke (13-1; Last Week - 9) The Bulldogs dropped their contest of the year in a loss to Brookline, but have the chance to rebound this week versus Salem and South Boston.

13. BC High (9-3; Last Week – 8) BC High saw a win slip through its fingertips on Sunday afternoon versus Tech Boston, but will have to recover quickly with the Catholic Conference on the line this week.

14. Mansfield (12-2; Last Week - 17) Hornets are hitting their stride, moving the ball on offense and scoring at an efficient rate.

15. Catholic Memorial (9-4; Last week – 11) A valiant rally up at St. John’s Prep fell just short on Friday night but the Knights’ quickly turned it around and defeated O’Bryant on Sunday. A win over BC High on Tuesday would just about lock up the Catholic Conference.

16. Lawrence (11-2; Last Week - 14) Lancers undoubtedly counting down the days until they get another shot at Central Catholic.

17. Cambridge (11-2; Last Week - 10) Falcons could not find enough offense down the stretch in a loss to Brockton early in the week.

18. St. John's Prep (8-4; Last Week - 13) Eagles are a tough team to figure out as evidenced by their 84 point showing on Friday night only for them to struggle for 62 against a physical Central Catholic squad.

19. Arlington (11-1; Last Week -18) A perfect 10-0 record in league play has the Spy Ponders well set up as they prepare for matchups with Reading and Woburn.  

20. Hingham (11-1; Last Week – 20) With the way they are playing, it’s only a matter of time until the Harbormen make a big jump in our poll.

21. Doherty (11-2; Last Week - 21) high-scoring Doherty kept rolling along with a 69-57 win over Fitchburg.

22. Hanover (11-2; Last Week – 25) Hanover picked up a key 51-47 win over Quincy to clinch a spot in the Division 3 South tournament.

23. Maynard (10-1; Last Week - 22) Tigers are still perfect in league play.

24. Lynn English (10-1; Last Week – 24) A February 9^th matchup between the Bulldogs and Everett could very well decide who takes the Northeast Conference crown.

25. Marlboro (10-2; Last Week – NR) Chris Doherty was nothing short of a monster in the paint on Friday night, as he scored 24 points while securing 19 points to send the Panthers to win over Westboro.

First 10 Out: Chelsea (9-2), New Bedford (8-3), Canton (10-2), Woburn (10-3), Algonquin (8-2), Marlboro (9-2), Apponequet (12-0), Springfield Putnman (9-2), Old Rochester (11-1), Lynnfield (11-2)