PHOTO GALLERY: Bridgewater-Raynham Girls' Hoops tops Oliver Ames

Photos by Eamon Convey (@ConveyWEEI)

Bridgewater-Raynham girls' basketball stayed alive in the Division 1 South tournament Sunday, defeating Oliver Ames 61-53. The Trojans advance to the sectional semifinals, where they will face Newton South on Wednesday.

Our Eamon Convey was in Bridgewater Sunday to capture some great photos. Scroll down for those, and note that you can click any image to enlarge and launch a slideshow.

Hyppolite Stars in the Fourth to Lead Bridgewater-Raynham past Catholic Memorial

By: Matt Feld (@mattyfeld612)

West Roxbury, Mass. -- After a quiet first three quarters, Darrius Hyppolite left his mark in the final frame.

With No. 12 Bridgewater-Raynham trailing No. 5 Catholic Memorial, 50-47, and just under two minutes to play Hyppolite hit a walk-up three-pointer to even the score at 50.

Less than 30 seconds later, Hyppolite put the Trojans in front for good hitting a triple off the dribble as Bridgewater-Raynham knocked off Catholic Memorial, 62-55, on Wednesday night in the first round of the Division 1 South Tournament at Ronald Perry Memorial Gymnasium.

Hyppolite sat most of the first half with two fouls, but exploded for 12 points in the fourth quarter.

“Darrius (Hyppolite) has shown such growth,” said Bridgewater-Raynham coach Doug Alves. “I've really challenged him since he was a freshman and he’s come along and been a mentally tough kid. He’s become really dependable.”

Despite struggling from the field, including just 1-of-19 from three-point land, Catholic Memorial took a 42-37 lead going into the fourth.

The Knights then seemed on the verge of going on one of their storied runs as Flynn drove to the basket and finished through contact to put CM up eight.

BR, however, had an answer.

Tony Fernandes hit a short corner jumper, and Hyppolite hit a corner three-pointer to pull the Trojans within three, 45-42.

An Anthony Morales basket and two Will McDonnell free throws pushed CM's lead back up to five, 49-44, but thats when Hyppolite struck.

With the Trojans down 50-47, Hyppolite came through with a steal and connected on a pull-up three-pointer to even the score at 50.

An errant Knights three-pointer allowed BR a chance to go in front for the first time since the end of the first quarter.

Hyppolite made sure the Trojans took advantage, faking a drive into the middle before stepping back and rattling home a three-pointer that pushed BR in front 53-50 with less than 1:30 to play.

Two Connor Rubenskas free throws put BR up five, but a Flynn put-back got the Knights within one possession, 55-52, with 36.7 seconds left.

Hyppolite had one last burst as he broke the Knights press and laid it in plus the foul to give the Trojans an insurmountable five point edge.

“I just stayed locked in," said Hyppolite. "A lot of teams try to take me out of the game but I just stayed calm and confident in my shot. I kept telling myself, 'the next one is going to fall.'"

Defensively the Trojans were outstanding holding CM to just 2-of-27 from beyond the arc.

"That was all defense," said Alves. "They're too good of a shooting team for that not to be our defense."

The Trojans seemed more than willing to run up and down with the Knights, coming out in a full court trap of their own.

Fernandes scored four early points to help put BR up 16-14 after one.

Morales provided the Knights with a bit of spark to begin the second quarter scoring four straight as part of a 6-0 CM run that put them on top 20-16.

The Knights first half advantage got up to as many as five on consecutive baskets for Flynn, but a Fernandes foul line jumper trimmed CM’s lead to 28-25.

Kani Glover sent CM into the locker room on a high note as he finished at the rim as the buzzer sounded to put the Knights up 30-25 at the half.

PHOTO GALLERY: Brockton Hoops Holds Off Bridgewater-Raynham

Photos by Eamon Convey (@eamonconvey)

Brockton continued its hot start, edging a game Bridgewater-Raynham squad, 79-72, Friday night. Continue below for the sights of the game, courtesy of our Eamon Convey.

Note that you can click any image to enlarge and launch a slideshow.

Our 2017 MIAA Football Award Winners

By SuiteSports Staff

After another exciting year of Massachusetts high school football, SuiteSports.com and its panel of high school correspondents are excited to announce our MIAA Football award winners.

While a bevy of players stood out this season, including all who made our second annual All-State Team, these stood above the rest due to their production and value to their teams, both during the regular season and in the state tournament.

This group helped their respective programs reach new heights, and excelled as individuals, on and off the field.

So, at long last, here are this year’s SuiteSports MIAA Football Award Winners.

Shane Frommer Leads King Philip Back to D2 Super Bowl

By Matt Feld (@mattyfeld612)

WRENTHAM — As Shane Frommer exited the postgame huddle with his teammates, his pads were covered in blood. Full smiles, panting in excitement through the freezing cold air, the King Philip running back could not have cared less about the red on his gold and green uniform.

In a near replica of last year's sectional final, Frommer ran for 203 yards and three touchdowns on Friday night to lead No. 1 King Philip to a 29-19 win over No. 3 Bridgewater-Raynham in the Division 2 South Sectional Final at King Philip Regional High School.

The win advances the defending state champion Warriors (10-0) to their second straight Super Bowl while also increasing their winning streak to 23 games.

Your MIAA Football Playoffs Weekend Review: The Sectional Semifinals

Catholic Memorial and BC High played one of the most memorable playoff games in recent memory Friday night, with a controversial call and a Hail Mary lifting the Knights to victory.

By Matt Feld (@mattyfeld612)

There is no question that the MIAA playoff system has flaws. Most notable among them are too many teams, too many divisions, and for some, a lack of importance now placed on winning the league.

This past weekend, however, portrayed the system’s outstanding benefits.

Teams playing for a spot in the sectional finals battled it out, with some playing against conference foes, while others faced off against teams for the first time.

Memorable endings, top performances, controversy, and wild finishes engulfed the weekend.

Now it is on to the sectional finals, where some enticing matchups will be played.

We will preview some of those sectional finals later in the week, but before we do that let’s take a look back at what was a wild weekend of sectional semifinals.

Bridgewater-Raynham Out-Muscles Natick in D2 South Semis (Plus Video)

Photo by Matt Siegel. Continue to the bottom for video clips by Matt as well.

By Brendan Hall (@BHallESPN)

Natick, Mass. – Such is the beauty of Bridgewater-Raynham football. Even when the Trojans aren’t trying to pull off one of their trademark gut-check calls that scream gumption, they can’t help themselves.

Already up 21-7 with under a minute to go in the first half after a Devante Greaves (27 carries, 198 yards, 3 TD) touchdown scamper, the Trojans went for what looked like a surprise onside kick that went off a Natick player’s leg, and was recovered by a B-R player. A few plays later, the Trojans scored again for a three-touchdown halftime lead, which turned out to be crucial points as they fought off a second half Redhawks rally to prevail 42-21 in an MIAA Division 2 South semifinal.

With the win, B-R punches its ticket to a second straight D2 South final, where the Trojans will look to exact revenge on King Philip in a rematch of last year’s heavyweight slugfest won by the Warriors, en route to their first state title in program history.

Your MIAA Football Week 7 Headlines

Hingham and Duxbury played a memorable, and controversial game for the Patriot League Keenan crown.

By Matt Feld (@mattyfeld612)

For Eastern Massachusetts, the regular season is officially in the books, and on Sunday morning the postseason pairings were announced at the MIAA headquarters in Franklin.

Meanwhile, in Central and Western Massachusetts, one more week of regular season football remains before they get their playoff portion of the schedule underway a week from Friday.

Upon initial review, there are handful of entertaining week one playoff matchups, including No. 5 Whitman-Hanson and No. 4 Stoughton in Div. 3 South, as well as No. 5 Marshfield and No. 4 Mansfield in Div. 2 South.

Before we get to those opening round contests, as well an exhilarating week eight that is sure to come out of Central and Western Mass, let’s take a look back at week seven.

Duxbury Squeaks out 10th Consecutive Patriot League Keenan Title

Early Saturday afternoon it looked as though Hingham was on its way to snapping Duxbury’s streak of nine straight Patriot League titles.

Bridgewater-Raynham Pulls Away from Barnstable

By Jake Levin (@JakeLevin477)

BRIDGEWATER - Even in a tied game late in the fourth quarter, the Bridgewater-Raynham Trojans never had to vary from their game plan.

Thanks to flawless offensive line play, the Trojans were able to ride the two-headed monster of Devante Greaves and Bryce Shaw to a 40-26 victory over the Barnstable Red Raiders, sealing up the Old Colony League crown the process.

It was an especially prolific night for Greaves, who amassed 317 yards on the ground on 28 carries for a ridiculous 11.3 average. He also had three touchdowns on the ground to finish as the shootout’s leading scorer.

Greaves, who missed the previous three games for the Trojans (5-1), showed no signs of rust for a team with its eyes set on the Division 2 South postseason.

MIAA Football Top 25: Week 2

St. John's (Shrewsbury) dominated Catholic Memorial from the opening kick Friday night.

Our preseason rankings of the best teams in the state, as selected by our panel of staff writers and correspondents. (Updated 9/10)

1. Everett (1-0; Last Week – 1) The Crimson Tide rolled its chief rival in emphatic fashion, downing Xaverian 31-7 in the opener, and the final margin could've been even greater. Not a missing a beat with Jake Wilcox taking over under center, Everett is the clear-cut favorite to repeat as Division 1 champion. 

Bridgewater-Raynham Wins Season Opening Slugfest at Duxbury

By Tom Joyce (@TomyJoyceSports)

DUXBURY - You may have heard this one before.

The Bridgewater-Raynham High football team knocked off a defending state champ for the second year in a row. Last year, the Trojans topped Xaverian. This year, it was the Duxbury Dragons on the road in their opener on Friday night.

Shutting down the Dragons' passing game in the second half was the difference-maker, as the BR grinded its way to a 20-10 win.

Bridgewater-Raynham's Shaw Prepares to Live Military & Football Dreams at Navy

Bridgewater-Raynham's Bryce Shaw in Annapolis with his family, checking out Roger Staubach's Heisman Trophy.

By Tom Joyce (@TomJoyceSports)

BRIDGEWATER - Next year, Bryce Shaw will finally achieve two dreams he held growing up.

The senior captain and middle linebacker for the Bridgewater-Raynham High School football team dreamed of being a Division 1 football player, but if he was unable to land an offer there, he said he seriously considered joining a branch the US armed forces after high school.

He no longer has to to choose, though, because this time next year he will be a Midshipman and linebacker at the US Naval Academy. Before that happens, however, he is excited to be able to finish out his football career at a local powerhouse.

MIAA Football Camp Road Trip: The Bridgewater-Raynham Trojans

By Tom Joyce (@TomyJoyceSports)

BRIDGEWATER - Win the league title, make the playoffs, and then win the Division 2 South playoff bracket.

If the Bridgewater-Raynham High football team is able to achieve those three clearly defined goals, they will consider 2017 a successful year.

Mansfield Wins Slugfest Against Bridgewater-Raynham for Spot in D1 South Final

 By Karl Capen (@Capen316)

BROCKTON, Mass. – It may be a cliché, but the idea that  “defense wins championships” is the best way to describe what makes the top-seeded Mansfield boys' basketball team so tough to beat.

On Monday night, the Hornets again exerted a stunning defense effort like they have all season in a victory over No. 4 Bridgewater-Raynham, 43-39, in the Division 1 South semifinals.

Mansfield (23-2) kept the Trojans under 25 percent shooting from the floor, and in a game where its offense wasn't the greatest. The ability of the Hornets to move their feet and draw a handful of offensive fouls was also key in keeping their opponent off the scoreboard.

Weber and Boulter Lead Mansfield Past Bridgewater-Raynham

By Matt Feld (@mattyfeld612)

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. - Ever since falling to their Hockomock League rival in Franklin by 14 at home, Mansfield has looked like a completely different team.

In large part, that can be attributed to the play of Tyler Boulter and Christian Weber, who both were implored in the last two weeks by head coach Mike Vaughan to become more aggressive at the offensive end.

Both Boulter and Weber have responded to Vaughan’s words with authority, and continued their high level of play on Sunday night. Behind 17 points from Weber and 13 more from Boulter, the Hornets knocked off Bridgewater-Raynham 52-45 at Bridgewater-Raynham High School.

MIAA Top 25 Boys Basketball Poll: 1/17/17

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 1/17)

1. Cambridge (9-0; Last Ranking  –  1): The defending champions were always expected to run the table against conference foes and in-state competition, but a 46-36 win over Santa Monica Crossroads (CA) at the Hoophall Classic asserts that Cambridge could be a team for the ages.

2. BC High (11-0; Last Ranking  –  2):  Despite playing arguably the toughest schedule of any team in the state, Carl Pierre and the Eagles remain undefeated, without really being tested of late.   

Foxboro Girls Hoops too Much for Bridgewater-Raynham

By Nate Rollins (@n_rollins1)

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. - In its trip up MA-24 North for a non-league tilt with Bridgewater-Raynham, Foxboro certainly made the most of its opportunity, posting a 65-36 win over the Trojans Monday evening.

“It feels good,” Foxboro head coach Lisa Downs said of the win. “We’re still getting some games under our belt, we’ve only played five games. We’re still trying to get into the groove of things. We’re still trying to work out some kinks, but I saw some good things, for the most part tonight.”

The lethal backcourt trio of juniors Ashley Sampson and Lily Sykes, along with senior Riley Collins, combined to pump in 41 points - outscoring the Trojans on their own - to guide Foxboro (4-1) to its fourth straight victory.

The Warriors, coming off a 73-34 slashing of league foe Sharon Friday, picked up right where they left off.

Bridgewater-Raynham Pulls Away from Brockton Late

By Tom Joyce (@TomJoyceSports)

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. - The most important score is the one at the end of the game.

Despite their ups and downs, and being tied with four minutes left to play, the Bridgewater-Raynham Trojans boy's basketball team (6-1) came away with an 82-74 win over the Brockton Boxers at home on Tuesday night.

"It's a real good win against a young team," said Trojans head coach Doug Alves. "They're confident and talented. We have an up-tempo style of play we like to use, and it was tough to run that against them."

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.

King Philip Downs Bridgewater-Raynham, 33-28, Advances to First Super Bowl in School History

King Philip outlasted Bridgewater-Raynham on Friday to advance to the first Super Bowl in program history

By Jason Siegel

WRENTHAM, Mass.- The King Philip Warriors outlasted the Bridgewater-Raynham Trojans, 33-28, in the Division 1A South sectional final game on Friday night in Wrentham.

With the win, King Philip (10-0) advances to the Division 1A state Super Bowl on December 3rd at Gillette Stadium, where it will face Reading, the Division 1A North champion. 

The game was headlined by contrasting styles of offense. The Warriors utilize their physical offensive line to run the ball between the hashmarks.