VIDEO: Natick Pulls Away from Braintree

Videos by Matt Siegel (@SportVideoMA)

Braintree, Mass. - Behind a stingy defensive effort, and a great night in the air and on the ground from quarterback Will Lederman, Natick handed Braintree its first loss of the season and advanced to 2-2, topping the Wamps 21-7.

Our Matt Siegel was there to capture video clips of the game's biggest plays, which you can checkout below.

Coyle & Cassidy and Braintree Capture Girls' Hoops State Championships

By SuiteSports Staff

Two Eastern Mass teams overcame opponents from the west out in Springfield Saturday, with varying levels of difficulty, as Coyle & Cassidy ran away from Monson, while Braintree edged Springfield Central for state championships.

PHOTO GALLERY: Braintree Girls' Hoops Headed Back to Title Game After Beating Central Catholic

Photos by Eamon Convey (@ConveyWEEI)

BOSTON - Braintree's recent run of dominance on the hardwood continues, as the Wamps pulled away from a game Central Catholic squad at the TD Garden. Braintree will now face Springfield Central on Saturday in Springfield for the MIAA Division 1 girls' basketball state championship, a rematch of last year's title game, won by Central.

But, before we get that epic rematch, check out these sweet shots from our Eamon Convey of Braintree and Central Catholic on the Celtics' home floor. Note that you can click any image to enlarge and launch a slideshow.

Newton North Basketball Completes Season Sweep of Braintree in D1 South

By Kyle Schroeder (@kyshcroeder81)

Newtonville Mass. - Coming into Wednesday’s Division 1 South first round matchup between 4th-seeded Newton North and 13th-seeded Braintree, the two teams had already met twice.

Newton North won handily both times, but Braintree was hoping the script would flip in the tournament. Unfortunately for the Wamps, it was the same old story as the Tigers won handily, 61-34. 

In the first quarter, it looked as if the game could be competitive. Braintree did a good job keeping the pace of the game slow, which prevent Newton North from getting into their elite transition attack. Newton North’s offense was held in check early and Braintree fed the ball down low to 6-foot-6 senior center Anthony Peacock.

Peacock had seven points and an assist in the quarter. Newton North’s lead was only three as they ended the first quarter up 14-11.

There was a sense of hope among the Braintree faithful who traveled to Newton.

Then immediately came a Newton North avalanche.

BC High Hangs on to Eliminate Braintree from Super 8

By Matt Feld (@mattyfeld612)

BROCKTON - For the first time in the Division 1A Super Eight tournament's history, a Bay State Conference team will not take home the trophy.

Trailing No. 4 BC High 11-10 in the top half of the ninth, Braintree sent three-hitter Alex Kennedy to the plate with two on and two outs in hopes of coming away with another one of their notorious comeback victories.

Eagles’ reliever Gavin Reily, however, induced a pop up to third base that landed in the glove of freshman Pat Roche to seal the win as BC High (15-9) defeated the two-time defending champion Wamps, 11-10, in the Super Eight quarterfinals at Campanelli Stadium in Brockton.

With the win BC High advances to the Super Eight semifinals, while Braintree’s season comes to an end.

Braintree Holds Off Central Catholic to Keep Super 8 Title Defense Alive

By Matt Feld (@mattyfeld612)

BROCKTON - In the blink of the eye, the two time-defending champions have put themselves back in the conversation for a three-peat.

One day after pulling off a miraculous comeback to remain alive, John Tellier kept Braintree’s season going, throwing a complete game as the No. 5 Wamps defeated No. 3 Central Catholic, 5-2, in a Division 1A Super Eight elimination game on Thursday afternoon at Campanelli Stadium in Brockton.

The win advances Braintree (16-7) to the Super Eight quarterfinals against the winner of BC High and Xaverian. Central Catholic (18-5) is eliminated from the tournament.

Your Do-or-Die Monday Super 8 Preview

The two-time defending Super 8 champion Braintree Wamps face elimination today.   Photo by Brendan C. Hall for ESPN Boston.

By Matt Feld (@mattyfeld612)

For the second time in the four-year history of the MIAA Division 1A Super Eight tournament, the top four seeds won their opening round games and advanced to the winners bracket.

Number one seed St. John’s (Shrewsbury) squeaked past eighth seeded Belmont 3-1, while four seed BC High knocked off two-time defending champion and fifth seeded Braintree. On the other side of the bracket, two seeded St. John’s Prep dominated seventh seeded Newton North, 18-3, and three seed Central Catholic took care of business against sixth seeded Xaverian, 11-2.

The tournament continued on Sunday with St. John’s (Shrewsbury) topping BC High and St. John’s Prep besting Central Catholic in the winners bracket. Both St. John's squads are off to the semifinals, while BC High and Central Catholic are now one game away from elimination.

But today the one-loss bracket begins with Newton North and Xaverian going head-to-head, and Braintree playing Belmont. In each of those contests, one team will see its Super 8 dreams end. Here's how we see do-or-die Monday shaking out.

Vasil Pitches a Gem as BC High Tops Braintree in Super 8 Opener

Mike Vasil opened this year's Super 8 with a dominant performance against Braintree.   Photo by Christian Davis.

By Matt Feld (@mattyfeld612)

BOSTON - BC High ace Mike Vasil made sure the Eagles' entrance into the postseason was simply super.

Behind Vasil’s complete game four-hitter on Wednesday afternoon, No. 4 BC High defeated No. 5 Braintree, 3-2, in the first round of the Division 1A Super Eight tournament on Wednesday afternoon at Monan Park on the campus of Boston College High School.

Vasil (CG, 1 ER, 4 H, 0 BB, 8 K) was on his game from the opening pitch, firing 23 of 30 first pitch strikes, and throwing 81 of his 107 total pitches for strikes.

The tall right hander, who was measured by a handful of scouts in attendance to be throwing somewhere between 91 and 94 miles per hour for most of the afternoon, saved his best for last, retiring the Wamps 1-2-3 in the top of the ninth to finish off the win.

BC High coach Norm Walsh said his three-year starter just knows how to get the job done.

MIAA Baseball Super 8 Projections: 5/15/17

Maryland commit and St. John's (Shrewsbury) star Sean Burke.  Photo courtesy of @smburkey3

By Matt Feld (@mattyfeld612)

In exactly two weeks, the MIAA Division 1A “Super Eight” committee will gather at  MIAA headquarters in Franklin to vote on who the best eight high school baseball teams in Massachusetts are.

Despite the overall uncooperative weather this spring, the Super Eight picture has slowly started to take shape, with many teams starting to make their case as the regular season begins to slowly wind down. So, without a further ado, SuiteSports is excited to unveil its first Super Eight Projection, which we will be updated every Monday until selection day on May 29th (so, basically just next Monday).

Here is how we see the Super Eight field shaping up at this time. For our complete MIAA baseball Top 25, click here.

2017 MIAA Baseball Preseason Top 25

BC High pitcher Mike Vasil.  Photo by Brendan C. Hall, via ESPN Boston.

1. St. John’s Prep (Last Season: 20-8) Twice the runners up in the MIAA Division 1A Super 8 Tournament, the Eagles will look to break through this year behind a host of talented young pitchers, as well as a pair of lefty sluggers in Mike Yarin and Andrew Selima.

2. St. John’s (Shrewsbury) (Last Season: 18-6) The Pioneers short but talented roster remains largely in tact after a second consecutive Super 8 berth with Ian Seymour, Jack Gardner returning while University of Maryland commit Sean Burke is ready to step up.

Your 2017 MIAA Baseball Primer

Can Braintree score a Super 8 three-peat?  Photo by Brendan C. Hall, via ESPN Boston.

By Matt Feld (@mattyfeld612)

Despite some existing remnants of snow from a long winter, and a cold, rainy couple of weeks, it is officially time for spring sports. With the spring season brings the return of what is sure to be an exciting handful of months across high school baseball. The “Super Eight” tournament has clearly increased the buzz with regards to baseball across Massachusetts, and with a lower Division team in Plymouth North and a Western Massachusetts team in Pope Francis both making the field last season, there are plenty of reasons to expect many twists and turns throughout this year.

So, without a further ado, here is a preview of what to expect heading into the 2017 baseball season.

Braintree's Offense Soars in Win over Falmouth

By Tom Joyce (@TomJoyceSports)

BOURNE, Mass. - There were four points where the game was tied: It could have gone either way.

But, straying away from their defensive-minded ways, the Wamps (13-6-2) out-slugged the Clippers (14-9-2) in a 5-4 Division 1 South quarterfinal win at Gallo Ice Arena Sunday night.

Given the adversity the Clippers faced this season -- with seniors Owen Higgins and James Lavin passing away in a tragic car crash in December 2016 -- Wamps head coach Dave Fasano expressed admiration for his opponents and praised their performance.

Pierre Battles Through Fever to Lead BC High Past Braintree & Score 1,000th Point

By Matt Feld (@mattyfeld612)

BOSTON - Carl Pierre may have been dealing with a fever, but that was not going to stop him from doing what he has done all year long.

Behind 25 points and 6 rebounds for Pierre, and 19 points from junior Travis Evee, BC High knocked off Braintree, 67-54, in the Division 1 South Quarterfinals on Friday night in front of a packed McNiece Pavilion.

Pierre scored his 1000th point with time winding down in the second quarter, splashing a three pointer from the right wing.

Ethan Wright returns to lead No. 12 Newton North to win over No. 17 Braintree

Newton North junior Ethan Wright poured in 31 points in his first game back from injury

By Nate Weitzer (@Nweitzer7)

BRAINTREE, Mass. - Basketball is a team game, but on occasion, individuals can transcend the parameters of the sport and engage in a true battle.

Newton North junior Ethan Wright (31 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals) and Braintree senior Nick Timberlake (39 points, 6 rebounds) carried their respective teams in a Bay State Conference showdown, but Wright’s Tigers proved to be just a bit tougher down the stretch, as they escaped Braintree High with a 68-64 victory.

MIAA Top 25 Boys Basketball Poll: 2/6/17

 St. John's Prep celebrates after ending Catholic Memorial's four-year home winning streak

Our rankings of the best teams in the state during the 2016-17 basketball season, as selected by our panel of staff writers and correspondents. (Updated 2/6)

1. Cambridge (13-0; Last Ranking  –  1): Another comfortable win for the Falcons in Dual County League play, as they handled Acton-Boxboro 76-51 on the road last Friday.

2. BC High (15-1; Last Ranking  –  2):  Eagles dropped their first dud of the season with an 80-58 home loss to Catholic Memorial, yet they’ve played arguably the toughest schedule in the state, and had a sizable lead as the second-best team in our rankings prior to that first loss.

3. Everett (10-1; Last Ranking  –  3): The idle Crimson Tide will get back to work following the Patriots Super Bowl win with a huge home game against Salem on Monday evening.

Bridgewater-Raynham Hockey Tops Braintree for Spot in Creek Oyster Cup Final

 By Tom Joyce (@TomJoyceSports)

KINGSTON, Mass. - Few teams could ever go a whole season without letting up a goal.

Three games in, the Braintree High boys’ hockey team is no longer one of the rare teams with a perfect defensive performance thus far. The Bridgewater-Raynham Trojans (2-1-0) changed that on Tuesday afternoon, bruising their way to a 3-1 win over the Wamps at The Bog in Kingston in the first round of the Island Creek Oyster Cup.

VIDEO BREAKDOWN: Brookline vs Braintree

Video by Greg Story (@StoryThruVideo)

BROOKLINE, Mass. - Our Matt Feld already filed a story on Brookline's narrow win over Braintree, and now videographer Greg Story brings you post game video interviews with the Warriors' coaches and players, along with a full breakdown with Feld.

Continue below for the video.

Brookline Holds on For Wild Win over Braintree

By Matt Feld (@mattyfeld612)

BROOKLINE, Mass. - For a team that depends heavily on four sophomores, Brookline has the makings of a group primed to make some noise.

Lead by double digit scoring from Mark Barrett (15 points), Wesley Delvar (11 points), and Chris Camille (10 points), the Warriors improved to 3-0 on the season, as they overcame a 32-point, 10 rebound performance from Braintree’s Nick Timberlake to defeat the Wamps, 60-57, on Tuesday night at Brookline High School.

The 3-0 start is quite the turnaround for Brookline, considering the Warriors missed the state tournament altogether last season.

MIAA Top 25 Boys Basketball Poll: 12/19/16

Ghared Boyce and Everett have been unstoppable offensively thus far. Photo courtesy of ESPN Boston and Brendan C. Hall.

Our rankings of the best teams in the state during the 2016-17 basketball season, as selected by our panel of staff writers and correspondents. (Updated 12/19)