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.

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.

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

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.

Mansfield Punches Ticket to State Final For Rubber Match with Franklin

By Matt Feld (@Mattyfeld612)

BOSTON - For Mansfield, the TD Garden floor may as well have been someone’s backyard.

The Hornets continued their white-hot tournament run defeating Everett, 73-65, behind 17 points and 9 rebounds from Damani Scott in the Division 1 State Semi-Finals at the TD Garden.

With the win, Mansfield (25-2) advances to the Division 1 State Title for the second time in school history.

Four different Hornets finished in double figures, with Tyler Boulter (14 points), Johnny McCoy (13 points) and Khristian Conner (13 pints) joining Scott in double figures.

MIAA Boys' Basketball State Tournament: Division 4 State Semi-Final Previews

Corey Olivier and his Maynard teammates are just one game away from getting back to Springfield to defend their state title.

By Matt Feld (@Mattyfeld612)

We continue our look at each of the MIAA boys' basketball state semifinal games with Division 4. For our D1 preview, click here.

Division 4

Pope John (22-1) vs. Mashpee (19-4)

Pope John's Path: Winthrop (63-59, OT), Fenway (78-71), Austin Prep (78-35)

Mashpee's Path: Abington (68-47), Old Colony (78-60), Blue Hills (82-59), Cohasset (73-54)

Pope John's Key Players: Angel Price-Espada, Jr., G; Marcus Thompson, Sr., F; Marquise Boyer, Sr., G;

Mashpee's Key Players: Anthony Gonsalves, Sr., F; Devaun Ford, Jr., SG; Michael Barrows, Sr., F;

MIAA Boys' Basketball State Tournament: Division 1 State Semi-Final Previews

Hockomock rivals Franklin (blue) and Mansfield (white) could meet again in the D1 state title game, but each will have to get past a difficult semifinal opponent first.   Photo by Eamon Convey.

By Matt Feld (@Mattyfeld612)

With Sectional Final weekend over, its time to turn the page to the State Semi-Finals, where 16 teams across the state will try to punch their tickets to the state finals to be held in Springfield on Saturday.

While the Eastern Mass finals are, as always, scheduled to be held at the TD Garden, the Central vs West semifinals will be held in two separate locations. The Division 1 and 2 Central/West games will be held at Worcester State University, while Divisions 3 and 4 will be held at AIC in Springfield.

Monday afternoon is when all the action is set to commence, so here is our preview for the two Division 1 State Semi-Finals.

Boulter's Big Night Propels Mansfield into Semis

By Matt Feld (@Mattyfeld612)

Taunton, Mass. – After years of watching his older brother shine on the game’s biggest stage, Tyler Boulter turned in his own performance for the ages.

Boulter scored 35 points on 8-of-10 from beyond the arc and 13-of-17 overall as No. 1 Mansfield defeated No. 8 BC High, 71-58, in the Division 1 South Quarter Finals at Taunton High School.

Boulter’s older brother Ryan is one of the one top three-point shooters in Mansfield’s history and played two Mansfield teams that appeared in South Sectional finals.

MIAA Boys' and Girls' Basketball/Hockey State Tournament Scoreboard: February 26th

St. John's (Shrewsbury) boys' hockey is back in the Super 8, but will need to win a play-in game against St. Mary's (Lynn) tonight to stay alive tonight.    Photo by Eamon Convey.

By SuiteSports Staff

The MIAA winter tournaments are upon us, and SuiteSports is here to keep you posted on all the action across the state. Continue below for a schedule of tonight's games, and check back for scores when those contests go final.