PHOTO GALLERY: Lowell Hoops Grabs Signature Win vs BC High

Photos by Eamon Convey (@ConveyWEEI)

We will have a full recap of Lowell's big win over BC High up a little later, but for now, continue below to see some great shots by our Eamon Convey.

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

MIAA Basketball: 2017-2018 Midseason All-State Team

Newton North's Ethan Wright (left) and Needham's Thomas Shaughnessy have been among the best players in Massachusetts the past few seasons..

By SuiteSports Staff

In the blink of an eye, the MIAA basketball season has reached its halfway point.

Some teams are at the point where they can jockey for tournament seeding, hoping to receive a pair of home games to start their quest a state championship. Others, meanwhile, are hoping to win just the amount of games necessary down the stretch to qualify in order to put them in the mix.

All the while, star players across Massachusetts are making their mark on high school hoops this season.

Below is SuiteSports’ midseason MIAA Basketball All-state Team and Award Winners. If your favorite player didn't make the cut, fear not. There is a LOT of basketball left to be played.

Tournament Tease: Cambridge, Newton North Headline Loaded Slate of Friday Night Games

Newton North star Ethan Wright throws one down.   Photo by Eamon Convey.

It may only be the second week in January, but Friday night will certainly feel like tournament time for many teams across Massachusetts.

A bevy of matchups are sure to appeal to even the most casual fan as in some cases historic league rivalries are set to tipoff while in others a top non-league showdown is in order.

Four matchups standout, as No. 4 Cambridge vs. No. 11 Newton North, No. 9 Mansfield vs. No. 7 Franklin, Catholic Memorial vs. No. 8 BC High, and No. 3 Lowell vs. No. 19 Lawrence, combine to feature seven teams in our latest MIAA Basketball Top-25 poll including five in the top-10.

MIAA Basketball Top 25: Week 2

Senior Jorge Torres has Western Mass power Springfield Central flying high in the season's early goings.

Our rankings of the best teams in the state, as selected by our panel of staff writers and correspondents. (Updated 12/18)

1. Needham (2-0; Last Week - 3) In a tough opener on the road, Thomas Shaughnessy and the experienced Rockets looked every bit a championship contender, running past St. John’s Prep, 72-62.

2. St. John's Prep (1-1; Last Week - 1) Dropping the opener to a Needham team that brings back several key pieces after a state semifinals appearance last year is nothing of which to be ashamed. 

3. Franklin (1-0; Last Week - 5) The Panthers continued to dominate Hockomock League competition with a 55-36 win over Milford, led by a career-high 28 points from sophomore guard Chris Edgehill.

No. 1 Cambridge Survives Upset-Minded Lowell

By Karl Capen (@Capen316)

NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. - Even after a monster night from Lowell junior Alex Rivera, top-seeded Cambridge still managed to find a way to win Tuesday night's Division 1 North semifinal, which begs the questions: Can anybody beat the Falcons this year?

Rivera poured in 37 points, but Cambridge seniors Jakigh Dottin (21 points) and Dimon Carrigan (12 points, 17 rebounds) dominated the paint all night to help defeat Lowell, 70-63, Tuesday night in North Andover.

Eastern Mass HS Football Power Rankings: 10/6/14

Xaverian may have the best group of linebackers in the state, led by standout Kenny Kern, who also serves as the Hawks' fullback and short yardage specialist.

By Mike Uva (@mike_uva)

Earlier today, editor Joe Parello brought you our latest Central Mass high school football Power Rankings, and now we turn our sights East for correspondent Mike Uva's EMass Rankings.

Check them out below.

Eastern Mass HS Football Power Rankings: 9/30/14

Star defensive end/offensive tackle Joe Gaziano is one of the many reasons Xaverian is so tough in the trenches this year. The Northwestern commit also kicks and punts for the Hawks.

By Mike Uva (@mike_uva)

After three consecutive big wins, St. John's Prep finally fell victim to its brutal early schedule, losing at Everett on homecoming in our Game of the Week.

How would the Eagles' first defeat, and other action around the region, affect our Mike Uva's Power Rankings? Find out below.

Eastern Mass HS Football Power Rankings: 9/22/14

Led by QB Oliver Eberth and RB/LB Jack Lambert, St. John's Prep has won three in a row against teams ranked in the Top-10 of ESPN Boston's statewide high school football poll. The Eagles will get another chance to enhance their resume at Everett this coming Saturday.

By Mike Uva (@mike_uva)

Another week, and another big win for St. John's Prep, but how far would the Eagles move up Mike Uva's Eastern Mass Power Rankings?

Find out below.

Eastern Mass HS Football Power Rankings: 9/15/14

A solid defense led by linebackers Sean Fallon (44) and Jack Lambert (32), along with defensive tackle Hunter Brown (74) has St. John's Prep soaring under first year head coach Brian St. Pierre.

By Mike Uva (@mike_uva)

Ed Note: We've been doing Power Rankings for Central Massachusetts football and lacrosse for over a year now, and we're thrilled to announce our first Eastern Mass Power Rankings, courtesy of new correspondent Mike Uva. Mike is a 2010 graduate of St. John's Prep, where he played football for the Eagles before moving on to play at Assumption College in Worcester.

A recent Assumption grad, Mike has deep ties to Massachusetts football and a wealth of knowledge of the game's local history and culture. He's definitely the perfect guy to help us expand our coverage into the far more populated section of the Commonwealth.

-Joe Parello


Power Rankings

1. Xaverian: 2-0, 0-0 Catholic Conf. Division 1

Last Week: Defeated Everett 21-14