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.

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.

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.

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.

Mansfield Overpowers Newton North to Land Fourth Sectional Final Berth in Six Years

By Matt Feld (@Mattyfeld612)

Taunton, Mass. – It was the middle of January, and Mike Vaughan was worried.

Vaughan saw his team, looked at the landscape of Division 1 South and pondered how his Mansfield Hornets would be able to navigate one of the more competitive fields in recent memory.

Two months later and the Hornets are on the verge of South Sectional title as behind 25 points from Johnny McCoy and 23 points and 12 rebounds from Damani Scott, No. 1 Mansfield dominated No. 4 Newton North on Monday night, 70-50, to advance to the Division 1 South Sectional Final.

The sectional final berth is Mansfield’s third in four years, and fourth in the last six years.

Johnny McCoy, Mansfield Stings Franklin for Edge in Kelly-Rex

By: Matt Feld (@Mattyfeld612)

Mansfield, Mass. – Mansfield’s home-court advantage was evident from the opening tip.

Johnny McCoy scored 16 points while the Hornets’ defense held rival Franklin to just 23 points over the first three quarters as Mansfield defeated the Panthers, 59-47, in a Hockomock Kelly-Rex battle on Friday night at Mansfield High School.

The contest was a rematch of just less than a month ago where Franklin used the three-ball to down Mansfield, 67-52.

MIAA Basketball Top 25: Week 2

Mansfield's student section had plenty to cheer about in a huge win over Newton North.

 Our rankings of the best teams in the state, as selected by our panel of staff writers and correspondents. (Updated 12/25)

1. Needham (4-0; Last Week - 1) Rockets remain undefeated after earning a tough win over upset-minded Natick. 

2. St. John's Prep (1-1; Last Week - 2) A pre-Christmas showdown with Andover will have to wait until Wednesday, Dec. 27 as the Eagles look to move above .500 early in the season.  

3. Central Catholic (1-0; Last Week - 6) The Raiders finally opened with a 63-36 win over Haverhill last Thursday. They’ll take on Bishop Guertin (NH) in the Commonwealth Motors Classic Tournament at Methuen High on Dec. 27.

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.