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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

PHOTO GALLERY: Mansfield Hoops top Visiting Franklin

Photos by Eamon Convey (@ConveyWEEI)

You can read a full recap of Mansfield's big win over Franklin here, and check out some photos of the Hornets grabbing the lead in the Hockomock Kelley-Rex below.

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

PHOTO GALLERY: Mansfield Powers Past Cardinal Spellman at the TD Garden

Photos by Eamon Convey (@ConveyWEEI)

BOSTON - The Mansfield Hornets left little doubt Saturday, rolling past scrappy Cardinal Spellman 73-53 at the TD Garden.

The Cardinals managed to pull it within 12 in the second half, but just couldn't overcome Mansfield's offensive onslaught. Continue below for some fantastic images from the game by our Eamon Convey.

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.

Mansfield Pulls Away from Newton North Late

By Matt Feld (@mattyfeld612)

Ed. Note- Click here for photos of the Hornets and Tigers.

Mansfield, Mass. - A stiff early season challenge did little to slow down Mansfield’s Johnny McCoy.

McCoy scored 22 points and corralled nine rebounds to lead the Hornets to a key, 71-62, non-league win over Newton North in front of a packed house at Mansfield High School.

The Tigers (1-2) were paced by star Ethan Wright, who finished the contest with a game-high 32 points.

PHOTO GALLERY: Mansfield Basketball vs Newton North

Photos by Eamon Convey (@eamonconvey)

Mansfield, Mass. - We will have a full recap of Mansfield's big non-league win over Newton North up in a bit, but for now, check out these fantastic shots from our Eamon Convey.

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

Mansfield Rolls Marshfield in Crucial 4/5 D2 South Matchup

By Jake Levin (@JakeLevin477)

MANSFIELD--For three consecutive postseasons, the Marshfield Rams played the thorn in the side of the Mansfield Hornets.

Marshfield blew out Mansfield in both the 2014 and 2015 postseasons and managed to squeak by in a third straight playoff game a year ago. But the Rams’ run of dominance over the Hornets is a thing of the past as Mansfield can turn its attention to another longtime nemesis next week after a 34-14 dismantling of Marshfield on Friday night.

King Philip Owns 4th Quarter Against Mansfield

By Jake Levin (@JakeLevin09)

WRENTHAM — Shane Frommer had only six yards rushing through three quarters. The No. 19 Mansfield Hornets must’ve been in excellent position to bring an end to the 16-game winning streak of the No. 5 King Philip Warriors, no?

Frommer found other ways to impact the game, with his 91-yard interception return for a touchdown proving to be the spark for 28 unanswered King Philip points in the Warriors' 28-10 victory over Hockomock League rival Mansfield on Thursday night.

Needham Defeats Mansfield for First Sectional Title in Program History

By Karl Capen (@Capen316)


TAUNTON, Mass. – With a spot in the history books on the line Friday night in Taunton, the Needham boys' basketball delivered.

Behind stellar shooting from junior Thomas Shaughnessy and senior Matthew Shaker, the third-seeded Rockets defeated top-seed Mansfield, 65-56, and captured the program's first ever sectional title.

Needham (20-4) will now await the winner of Saturday's Division 1 North final between Cambridge and Central Catholic, and will next play Tuesday night at the TD Garden in the state semifinals.

Previewing the MIAA Boys' Hoops D1 Sectional Finals

Freshman point guard Chris Edgehill will try to get Franklin over the hump against St. John's (Shrewsbury).

By Matt Feld (@mattyfeld612) and Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

We're getting down to the nitty gritty of the MIAA boys' basketball tournament, and the next few days will see sectional championship games played across all 16 sections.

But let's not get ahead of ourselves with all that. Here's our preview of the four sectional finals in Division 1.

Mansfield Wins Slugfest Against Bridgewater-Raynham for Spot in D1 South Final

 By Karl Capen (@Capen316)

BROCKTON, Mass. – It may be a cliché, but the idea that  “defense wins championships” is the best way to describe what makes the top-seeded Mansfield boys' basketball team so tough to beat.

On Monday night, the Hornets again exerted a stunning defense effort like they have all season in a victory over No. 4 Bridgewater-Raynham, 43-39, in the Division 1 South semifinals.

Mansfield (23-2) kept the Trojans under 25 percent shooting from the floor, and in a game where its offense wasn't the greatest. The ability of the Hornets to move their feet and draw a handful of offensive fouls was also key in keeping their opponent off the scoreboard.

MIAA Top 25 Boys Basketball Poll: 2/14/17

Mansfield has won 9 in a row and the Hockomock Kelley-Rex.

Our rankings of the best teams in the state during the 2016-17 basketball season, as selected by our panel of staff writers and correspondents. (Updated 2/13)

1. Cambridge (15-0; Last Ranking  –  1): The defending D1 champs have defeated every in-state opponent they faced by at least 25 points since edging Concord-Carlisle, 71-63, in their season opener.    

2. BC High (15-1; Last Ranking  –  2):  Eagles will look to avenge their first loss of the season when they travel to Catholic Memorial this Tuesday. 

3. Mansfield (16-2; Last Ranking  –  4): Hornets avenged a home loss to Franklin by defeating the Panthers in convincing fashion for their ninth consecutive victory and another Hockomock Kelley-Rex Division League Title.

Mansfield Tops Franklin in Critical Hockomock Clash

By Matt Feld (@mattyfeld612)

FRANKLIN, Mass. - That’s one way to strike back.

Nearly one month ago, Franklin manhandled Mansfield in a 52-40 road victory.

On Friday night, Mansfield returned the favor.

Behind 14 points from Max Boen, the Hornets dominated from start to finish en route to a 60-43 victory over Franklin at Franklin High School. The win is Mansfield’s ninth straight dating back to January 13th.

Mansfield Continues to Roll With Win at Attleboro

By Matt Feld (@mattyfeld612)

ATTLEBORO, Mass. - Those already crowning BC High the foregone Division 1 south sectional champion may want to rethink it.

On Monday night, Mansfield (15-2) picked up their eighth consecutive victory with a come from behind 66-56 road win over Hockomock League rival Attleboro.

The Hornets were paced by point guard Christian Weber’s 18 points to go along with forward Sam Goldberg’s 16 points.

Mansfield, who was without sharpshooter Tyler Boulter due to a foot injury, was able to pick up a key contribution from Ben Albanese. Albanese (13 points) poured in three baskets from beyond the arc to go along with a pair of buckets around the rim.

Hornets coach Mike Vaughan said Ben Albanese’s performance showcases the team-oriented style of basketball that Mansfield plays.