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,

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.

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.

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.

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 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

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.

PHOTO GALLERY: Pope John Sprints Past Mashpee to Land Division 4 State Title Game Berth

Photos by Eamon Convey (@ConveyWEEI)

BOSTON - On Monday afternoon, Pope John earned a spot in the Division 4 state title game with a 70-62 win over Mashpee at the TD Garden.

The Tigers trailed 61-59 with three minutes left but went on an 11-1 run to close.

We will have a full recap later on, but until then, here are some great shots from our own Eamon Convey. Note you can click on any photo to enlarge and launch a slide show.

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.

Rockland Defeats Hopkinton to Earn Sectional Final Date with Hanover

By: Jake Levin (@JakeLevin09)

Buzzards Bay, Mass.—A border war between the Hanover Indians and Rockland Bulldogs is no longer brewing: it’s a reality.

After watching Hanover cruise to a 6-0 win over the Ashland Clockers in the first Division 3 South semifinal game at Gallo Arena on Friday, Rockland held up its part of the bargain by erasing deficits of 2-0 and 3-2 against the Hopkinton Hillers to survive and advance to the South final on Sunday with a 4-3 win.

“That was one heck of a hockey game,” Bulldogs head coach Mike Flaherty said after the game. 

PHOTO GALLERY: Mansfield Tops Brockton for Division 1 South Crown

Photos by Eamon Convey (@ConveyWEEI)

There is already a full recap of Mansfield's Division 1 South Sectional Final win over Brockton from last night that you can check out here.

Now, continue below for some great shots from the game taken by our own Eamon Convey. Note that you can click on any image to launch a slideshow.

Springfield Central Repeats as Western Mass. Champions

By: Ethan Winter (@EWints)

Amherst, Mass. – The No. 2 Putnam Beavers gave in-city rival No.1 Springfield Central Golden Eagles a brief scare Friday night, but that was all it was, a scare.

The undefeated Golden Eagles were able to come from-behind to capture their second straight Western Mass. title with a 75-66 victory inside the Curry Hicks Cage at UMass Amherst. 

With the win, the Golden Eagles (22-0) will have a rematch with Central Mass. champion No. 1 Franklin (21-2) in the Division I State Semifinals at Worcester State University on Monday. 

Late Surge Lifts Burke to First Sectional Title in 20 Years

Photo by Eamon Convey 

By: Matt Feld (@Mattyfeld612) 

In an effort to claim their first sectional title in 20 years, Burke saved its best for last.

Trailing by one with just under two minutes to go, the Bulldogs closed on an 11-2 run highlighted by a steal and score from Devante Jamison as No. 3 Burke defeated No. 1 Apponequet, 70-62, to win the Division 3 South Sectional title on Friday night at Taunton High School.

The win gives Burke its first sectional championship since 1998 when they defeated Duxbury.

McCoy, Scott Continue Red Hot Tournament Run as Mansfield Lands First Sectional Title Since 2013

By: Matt Feld (@mattyfeld612)

Taunton, Mass. -- On the game’s first possession, Damani Scott picked off a cross-court pass and fed Johnny McCoy for a three-point play. Mansfield’s sectional final party ensued.

McCoy scored 23 points to go with 10 rebounds while Scott finished with 21 points and seven rebounds as top-seeded Mansfield defeated No. 3 Brockton, 79-65, to claim the Division 1 South Sectional title on Friday night at Taunton High School.

The sectional championship is Mansfield’s first since 2013 when they reached the state final. They will take on the winner of the Division 1 North Final between Lawrence and Everett on Monday night at the TD Garden.

MIAA Boys' Basketball State Tournament: South and Central Sectional Final Previews, Players to Watch, and Picks

Photo by Eamon Convey

By Matt Feld (@MattyFeld612)

After an exciting week and a half of MIAA State Tournament Basketball, sectional final Friday and Saturday are here.

A handful of upsets have already occurred with No. 8 Woburn knocking off top-seeded Beverly and fourth-seeded Belmont to reach the Division 2 North Sectional Final while No. 7 Algonquin has seen a late season surge carry them to the Division 1 Central Sectional Final.

Division 1 South sees red-hot Mansfield take on Brockton while Division 2 South is a battle between the section's top two seeds in Tech Boston and Hingham.

Out West, meanwhile, No. 2 Springfield Putnam will get a third try at top dog Springfield Central and  Hopkins has added to an impressive regular season with two 30-plus point tournament victories to reach the Division 4 Sectional Final.

Here are our previews for the South and Central Sectional Finals, with a breakdown of the top game in each section, the players to watch, and picks for all four games. Check back later for when we break down the North and West Sectional Final games.

PHOTO GALLERY: Foxboro Girls' Hoops tops Silver Lake for Spot in Division 2 South Final

Photos by Eamon Convey (@ConveyWEEI)

On Thursday night, top-seeded Foxboro turned in a dominant effort, defeating No. 5 Silver Lake, 63-37, to advance to the Division 2 South Sectional Final.

The Warriors will take on three-seeded Nauset on Saturday night at 5:30 p.m. at Taunton High School.

Before then, however, you can take a look at the sights of the Warriors' Sectional Semifinal win over the Lakers, courtesy of some sweet shots from our own Eamon Convey. Note that you can click on any image to enlarge and launch a slideshow.

Brockton's Big Night on the Glass Pushes Boxers Past Needham into Sectional Final

Photo by Eamon Convey

By Matt Feld (@Mattyfeld612)

Taunton, Mass. – After a brief hiatus, Brockton finds itself back amongst the top basketball programs in Massachusetts.

Senior Marcus Azor scored 16 points while Segun Okunlula poured in 12 points to go with 11 rebounds as No. 3 Brockton defeated No. 2 Needham, 69-60, on Tuesday night in the Division 1 South Sectional Semi-Final at Taunton High School.

The win gives the Boxers (20-3) their first sectional final berth since 2012 when they defeated Madison Park.