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.

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.

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.

Maynard Boys' Hoops Dominates Pioneer Valley in D4 State Semifinal

By Ethan Winter (@EWints)

Springfield, Mass. - After an entertaining, back-and-forth first quarter, the Maynard Tigers took control and never looked back Monday night, as they cruised to a 70-38 victory over Western Mass champion Pioneer Valley in the Division 4 State Semifinal at American International College.

“It means a lot,” said Maynard sophomore Tommy Smith. “Me and the rest of the team have worked hard all year, and we’ve prepared for this the whole season making a hard schedule and putting in work, so it feels good to get back there and hopefully we can get another (state title) one too.”

Maynard will face Pope John High School of Everett on Saturday in Springfield. Place and time is yet to be determined.

PHOTO GALLERY: Braintree Girls' Hoops Headed Back to Title Game After Beating Central Catholic

Photos by Eamon Convey (@ConveyWEEI)

BOSTON - Braintree's recent run of dominance on the hardwood continues, as the Wamps pulled away from a game Central Catholic squad at the TD Garden. Braintree will now face Springfield Central on Saturday in Springfield for the MIAA Division 1 girls' basketball state championship, a rematch of last year's title game, won by Central.

But, before we get that epic rematch, check out these sweet shots from our Eamon Convey of Braintree and Central Catholic on the Celtics' home floor. Note that you can click any image to enlarge and launch a slideshow.

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;

Tech Boston Clinches Spot at TD Garden with Route of Hingham

By Kyle Schroeder (@kyschroeder81)

Taunton, Mass. - Playing on the iconic TD Garden parquet floor is something every high school basketball player in the Massachusetts dreams of doing.

On Saturday, the winner of the division 2 South sectional final between Tech Boston and Hingham would get a chance to live out that dream. Tech Boston made it clear right from start of the contest that it would be the team to play at the TD Garden, defeating Hingham soundly by a score of 69-44.

“I’m so happy for these kids, I’m happy for Dorchester, I’m happy for inner city kids in Boston," Tech Boston coach Johnny Williams said. "It proves to you that they are capable kids, and if you hold them to high standards, they will perform.

"We never coddled them, we never dumbed it down, our expectations are at the highest level, and they always step up to the challenge.”

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.

Wild Final Seconds Make Third Time the Charm for Woburn

By Matt Feld (@Mattyfeld612)

Burlington, Mass. - In order for the third time to be the charm for Woburn, the Tanners needed a bit of a luck.

Trailing by one in the games final stages, Woburn's Isaiah Cashwell-Doe hauled in a defensive rebound and drove the length of the court before drawing contact with 5.2 seconds left. At the free throw line, Cashwell-Doe hit the first to tie the score but his second attempt hit off the front rim.

Belmont secured the rebound and tried to call timeout without any to spare resulting in technical foul which allowed Woburn's Ryan Ludwig to hit the two game winning free throws with 0.2 left as the No. 8 Tanners defeated No. 4 Belmont, 60-58, in the Division 2 North Semifinal at Burlington High School.

PHOTO GALLERY: Brockton Boys' Hoops Holds off Needham

Photos by Eamon Convey (@ConveyWEEI)

We already have a full recap of Brockton's Division 1 South semifinal win over Needham, and you can check that out here.

Now, continue below for some great photos from the game, snapped by our Eamon Convey. Note that you can click any image to enlarge and launch a slideshow.

Monument Mountain Outlasts Wahconah in D3 West

By Ethan Winter (@EWints)

Amherst, Mass. – For the second straight night, a Western Mass boys’ basketball semifinal game came down to the final shot, and fortunately for the top-seeded Monument Mountain Spartans, this one didn’t go in.

With the game on the line, all tied up at 59 apiece, Monument Mountain junior forward Graham Herrick stepped up to the line and sank both free throws to give the Spartans a 61-59 lead with just under seven seconds remaining in regulation. That lead would hold up as Monument Mountain advanced to the Division 3 West championship game against Easthampton, which will be played Saturday at UMass.

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. 

Landry, Delahunt Keep Hanover Alive with Fourth Quarter Surge

By Matt Feld (@Mattyfeld612)

Foxboro, Mass. – The two stars that helped bring Hanover its first state championship made sure the dream at a second one remained alive.

Trailing by one to No. 4 Foxboro and with just 30 seconds left, Indians’ guard JP Landry drove to the basket only to have his shot deflected. The ball, however, caromed right to senior Matt Delahunt who picked it up and connected on a foul line jumper to give Hanover a one-point lead.

At the other end, Hanover’s Andrew Carroll corralled a rebound while falling out of bounds to seal the No. 5 Indians 58-57 win over Foxboro on Sunday afternoon in the Division 2 South Sectional Quarter Final.