Palmer Runs Past Bartlett for First Ever State Championship Game Berth

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

WORCESTER, Mass. - Coming off its first Western Mass championship in 50 years, Palmer let it all hang out Monday night at the DCU Center, shooting and rebounding its way to an 80-65 win over Bartlett in the Division 3 state semifinals.

The Panthers will now move on to face Hanover in their first ever state championship game appearance Saturday in Springfield.

"I didn't even think about (playing for a state championship)," Palmer senior point guard Ryan McCarthy said. "We were just so focused on winning Western Mass, and now we've got another goal... My goal from the beginning of the year was just to play until I can't any more, and here we are."

MIAA Boys' Hoops State Semifinal Preview: Division 3

Bartlett's senior-laden team is just a game away from the state championship.

By Matt Feld (@mattyfeld612) and Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

We've already previewed the semifinals in Division 1 and in Division 2, so now it's time to dig into both the Eastern Mass title game, and Central/West state semifinal in Division 3. It's too late in the year for lengthy introductions, so let's get right to it.

Division 3 Eastern Mass Final

Watertown (21-2) vs. Hanover (21-3)

Players to Watch:
Watertown – Julio Fulcar, Sr., SG, John Korte, Jr., SG.
Hanover – J.P. Landry, Jr., SG, Daniel Hamza, Sr., F.

Date/Time/Location: March 13th, 4 pm, TD Garden

Bartlett Tops Westboro for Clark Tournament Large Title

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

WORCESTER, Mass. - All season long, the Bartlett Indians have been known for their running and gunning offense, averaging close to 80 points scored per game.

But Saturday in the Clark Tournament large school final, it was actually a stellar first half defensive effort that allowed the Indians to hold onto a 72-61 championship win.

"We scouted (Westboro), and we knew the Doherty boys (Westboro twin brothers Mike and Matt Doherty) were both playing very well," Bartlett coach said. "They're both seasoned, even though they're only sophomores, so we came out in a triangle and two to take them away."

Central Mass HS Football Playoff Preview

Doherty made history with its Division 4 Central title win last year. Which four teams will claim CMass crowns this season?

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

The regular season has come and gone, and now eight teams from each of Central Mass' four divisions will continue their journeys down the #RoadToGillette.

The MIAA has finalized the playoff brackets, so lets' take a look at what to expect from each division in CMass.