Your 2018 MIAA Boys' Basketball End of Season Awards

Though it may have ended sooner than he would have liked, Thomas Shaughnessy's senior season at Needham was one for the books.   Photo by Eamon Convey.

 By SuiteSports Staff 

To cap off its MIAA Boys’ Basketball coverage, SuiteSports’ is proud to announce its award winners for the 2017-18 season.

For the second consecutive season, SuiteSports’ has decided on a Player of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Breakout Star of the Year, and Coach of the Year.

These decisions were made with regular season and postseason play both being taken into consideration.

Cambridge Native Jacquil Taylor Prepared for NCAA Tournament Moment at TD Garden

Photo courtesy of Purdue Athletics.

By Michael Abelson (@ABELS0N)

BOSTON - Jacquil Taylor’s future can be summed up in three words: To be continued.

The Purdue redshirt-junior has seen his career stop and start multiple times already in West Lafayette, but continues to persevere and keep a positive outlook on the universe.

Before joining the Boilermakers, the Cambridge native starred at Beaver Country Day School in Chestnut Hill, winning a pair of NEPSAC Class B championships. However, Taylor lost his junior year to a foot injury and has battled through injuries in two of his seasons in West Lafayette.

“I’ve gained so much respect for him, because his collegiate career hasn’t been easy dealing with the injuries,” Purdue assistant coach Brandon Brantley said. “One is that he’s an awesome teammate. (Taylor) comes with a positive attitude and wants to see his team do well.”

This weekend, Taylor will take to the court at the TD Garden, trying to help guide the Boilermakers to their first Final Four since 1980. It would take two wins on the famed Garden floor to get Purdue there, and Taylor, who has mostly served as a reserve throughout his career, could potentially play a large role in the two biggest Purdue basketball games in over 35 years.

The Suite 16: Your MIAA Boys' Basketball All-State Team

 By SuiteSports Staff 

After an MIAA Basketball season that featured a number of breakout stars and sensational performances, SuiteSports is excited to announce this year's Suite 16, our annual MIAA Basketball All-State Team. 

Check back tomorrow as we unveil our player of the year, defensive player of the year, offensive player of the year, breakout star of the year, and coach of the year,

MIAA Boys' Basketball Top 25 Poll: The end of 2018

Where did the four MIAA state champions end up in our final statewide Top 25?

 By SuiteSports' Staff 

Our final rankings of the best boys' hoops teams in Massachusetts, as selected by our team of editors and correspondents.

2018 MIAA Boys' Basketball All-Tournament Team

Senior guard Walter Dew-Hollis helped TechBoston capture its first ever state championship, and was a nightmare for opposing defenses during the state tournament.   Photo by Joe Parello.

By Matt Feld (@Mattyfeld612)

The MIAA Basketball season has officially come to a close as the state finals in Springfield this past Saturday put a cap on another exhilarating season of high school hoops.

Mansfield claimed its first state championship in program history with a 67-54 win over Franklin in the Division 1 State Final, while TechBoston finished off a nearly flawless run in dominating fashion. Watertown completed its late postseason surge with a victory over Easthampton to claim the Division 3 title, and Angel Price-Espada put on a performance for the ages to guide Pope John to the Division 4 championship.

SuiteSports’ will have its full season All-State team out on Thursday, but for now here is our MIAA Boys' Basketball All-Tournament Team and Most Valuable Player.

PHOTO GALLERY: The MIAA Basketball Championships in Springfield

Foxboro's Ashley Sampson helped lead a Warrior comeback in the girls' Division 2 state championship game against Hopkinton. Photo by Ethan Winter.

By SuiteSports Staff

It was a wild day of high school hoops in Springfield, as both the MassMutual Center and Springfield College hosted the MIAA state championships. SuiteSports had you covered all day, and now check out these photos from all eight title games.

Note that you can click any image to enlarge and launch a slideshow. Photos appear in the order the games were played.

Dingle Propels Archbishop Williams to D3 Girls' Hoops Crown

By Brendan Hall (@BHallUFA)

Springfield, Mass. - Archbishop Williams head coach Matt Mahoney prefaced what was a bold declaration with some of his trademark modesty, warning reporters that he might seem a little biased, and might be a little too in the now. Forgive him, for he just watched his star point guard take the Bishops to yet another MIAA Division 3 state title, their fourth in six seasons.

But this is also one of the most dominant programs in Massachusetts over the last decade, regularly making deep March runs in the state tournament, and churning out Division 1-caliber talents over and over, regularly sending players to schools from the Big Ten to the ACC to the Big East and a slew in between.

And so, there's considerable magnitude to consider.

“She may be the best,” he said of senior Asiah Dingle (20 points, eight assists, seven rebounds, five steals), after she dominated Hampshire Regional every which way, filling up the stat sheet en route to a 77-42 win at Blake Arena on the campus of Springfield College.

Mansfield Caps Dominant Postseason Run, Lands First State Championship

By Matt Feld (@Mattyfeld612) 

Springfield, Mass. -- Mike Vaughan walked out of the locker room doused in water and drenched in sweat. Mansfield had finally reached the mountain top.

Sam Hyland scored 17 points and dished out five assists as Mansfield claimed its first state championship in program history with a 67-54 win over Franklin at the Mass Mutual Center.

The Hornets made a state final appearance in 2013 only to lose to Putman, won the South in 2011, and reached the sectional final in 2015 and 2017 but on Saturday night they captured that elusive banner.

Watertown Goes from Sleeper to State Champ in D3, Topping Easthampton

By Jason Siegel (@jasiegel1821)

Springfield, Mass. - Prior to the sectional tournaments, SuiteSports.com picked 7th-seeded Watertown in D3 North as a potential sleeper.

The Raiders (20-6) then proceeded to exceed everyone’s expectations but their own, winning the 2018 MIAA Division 3 boys state title by beating the Easthampton Eagles, 72-53, on Saturday afternoon at Springfield College.

Watertown’s mantra in the tournament was #Sleeper, and both head coach Stephen Harrington and star senior guard Julio Fulcar (25 points, 6 rebounds, 4 steals) said that the #Sleeper motto motivated them.

Tech Boston Runs Away from Taconic for D2 Crown

By Ethan Winter (@EWints)

Springfield, Mass. - “Defense wins championships” is one of the oldest sports clichés in the book, but for the Tech Boston Bears, it still rings true. The Bears employed a ferocious defense to stifle the Taconic Braves, en route to a resounding 78-40 win in the Division 2 State Championship, the first title in program history.

“It starts with defense and it ends with defense,” said Tech Boston head coach Johnny Lee Williams.

For Taconic (17-8), the Tech Boston (25-1) defense was unlike any they had seen all year, as the Bears forced 34 Braves turnovers.

Price-Espada's Historic Morning Leads Pope John Past Maynard in D4

By Jason Siegel (@jasiegel1821)

Springfield, Mass. - Scoring 49 points in a basketball game is special in any situation at any level.

Pope John junior Angel Price-Espada found that out firsthand on Saturday at Springfield College, as he poured in a career-high-tying 49 points to lead the Pope John Tigers to an 89-57 victory over the Maynard Tigers and an MIAA Division 4 boys state championship.

It is the first boys basketball state title in school history for Pope John (24-1).

Foxboro Saves its Most Memorable Comeback for Last, defeats Hopkinton for Girls Division 2 Title

 By Matt Feld (@Mattyfeld612)

Springfield, Mass. – In a string of sensational comebacks, Foxboro saved its most memorable for last.

Ashley Sampson scored 15 points and grabbed eight rebounds as the Warriors defeated Hopkinton, 49-41, to claim the Girls’ Division 2 State Championship at the Mass Mutual Center.

The state championship is Foxboro’s first since 1995, and first in school history at the Division 2 level.

MIAA Boys' Basketball Tournament: Divisions 3 and 4 State Championship Preview

Pope John is riding high after defeating Mashpee in the D4 Eastern Mass title game, but will have to deal with reigning D4 state champion Maynard Saturday in Springfield.    Photo by Eamon Convey.

By Matt Feld (@MattyFeld612)

The MIAA Basketball season will conclude in Springfield on Saturday with a total of eight state championship games.

Over at the Mass Mutual Center, the Division 1 and 2 Boys' and Girls' state finals will commence, while across the way at Springfield College, the Division 3 and 4 games will take place.

SuiteSports' will have complete coverage from both venues, but before then, let's break down each of the four divisions.

Here are our previews, players to watch, and picks for the Division 3 and 4 Boys' State Finals.

You can click here for our full preview of the Division 1 and 2 State Finals.

MIAA Boys' Basketball Tournament: Divisions 1 and 2 State Championship Previews

For the first time ever, two league opponents will square off for the MIAA Boys' Basketball Division 1 title. Hockomock rivals Franklin and Mansfield split their season series, and have been as evenly matched as two programs can be the last few seasons.    Photo by Eamon Convey.

 By Matt Feld (@Mattyfeld612)

The MIAA Basketball season will conclude in Springfield on Saturday with a total of eight state championship games.

Over at the Mass Mutual Center, the Division 1 and 2 Boys' and Girls' state finals will commence, while across the way at Springfield College the Division 3 and 4 games will take place.

SuiteSports' will have complete coverage from both venues, but before then, let's break down each of the four divisions.

Here are our previews, players to watch, and picks from the Division 1 and 2 boys' state finals. Check back tomorrow for previews from the Division 3 and 4 games.

Unsung Hero: Sam Hyland's Defense at the Center of Mansfield's Success

Photo by Eamon Convey 

By Matt Feld (@MattyFeld612)

In its run to its second state final appearance in school history, Mansfield’s offense has been nearly flawless.

The Hornets have scored at least 70 points in all five of their postseason games while shooting over 50-percent versus No. 4 Newton North and No. 3 Brockton.

Throughout the state tournament, the Hornets have been in a one-possession game in the second half for all of 15 combined seconds.

Johnny McCoy has lived up to his regular season honor of Hockomock League MVP and Damani Scott has emerged as a mismatch for opposing point guards. Tyler Boulter has showcased shooting streaks that bring back memories of his older brother, Ryan, and Justin Vine has been a key contributor off the bench. 

It is at the other end of the floor, however, where Mansfield’s Sam Hyland has left the most impactful mark on the Hornets success.

Korte's Monster Night, Dew-Hollis' Breakout Second Half Send Watertown and Tech Boston to the State Final

By: Matt Feld (@Mattyfeld612)

John Korte jogged into the locker room clapping his hands while his teammates responded with a rousing ovation. The sleepers were wide-awake.

On Wednesday night, Korte scored 28 points, corralled 10 rebounds, and totaled five blocks to lead Watertown past Burke, 66-61, in the Division 3 State Semi-Finals at Burlington High School.

The Raiders, who entered as the No. 7 Seed in Division 4 North, are now just one away from their third state championship since 2007.

MIAA Boys' Basketball State Tournament: Division 3 State Semi-Finals Previews

By Matt Feld (@MattyFeld612)

Four teams punched their ticket to the state finals on Monday. In Division 1, Mansfield continued its blistering postseason run over Everett, while Franklin disposed of previously undefeated Springfield Central to reach the state title game for a second straight year.

In Division 4, meanwhile, Pope John went on a late 11-2 run to take down Mashpee, while Maynard outlasted Pioneer Valley. 

Today, eight more teams will look to solidify a trip to Springfield with the Division 2 and 3 State Semi-Finals taking place later on today.

Here is a preview of today's Division 3 State Semi-Finals

MIAA Boys' Basketball State Tournament: Division 2 State Semi-Final Previews

By Matt Feld (@Mattyfeld612)

Four teams punched their ticket to the state finals on Monday. In Division 1, Mansfield continued its blistering postseason run over Everett, while Franklin disposed of previously undefeated Springfield Central to reach the state title game for a second straight year.

In Division 4, meanwhile, Pope John went on a late 11-2 run to take down Mashpee, while Maynard outlasted Pioneer Valley. 

Today, eight more teams will look to solidify a trip to Springfield with the Division 2 and 3 State Semi-Finals taking place later on today.

Here is a preview of today's Division 2 State Semi-Finals

PHOTO GALLERY: Mansfield Boys' Hoops tops Everett at TD Garden

Photos by Eamon Convey (@ConveyWEEI)

BOSTON - We already have a full recap of Mansfield's big win over Everett Monday night at the TD Garden, which you can check out here.

But now, continue below for some great shots of the game, courtesy of our Eamon Convey. Note that you can click any image to enlarge and launch a slideshow.

Closing Run has Pope John on Verge of Making Dream a Reality

Pope John celebrates a big win at the TD Garden Monday.   Photo by Eamon Convey 

By Matt Feld (@Mattyfeld612)

BOSTON – Despite being from one of the smaller schools in the region, Pope John is on the verge of accomplishing its biggest dream.

Trailing by two and less than three minutes to play, the Tigers went on an 11-2 run highlighted by seven points from Mekhi Collins to sprint past Mashpee, 70-62, in the Division 4 State Semi-Final on Tuesday afternoon at the TD Garden.

Collins finished with a game-high 23 points while Michael Thompson chipped in 14 points to go with 10 rebounds.