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.

Postgame Blog: Springfield Central Gets Payback Against Putnam at Hoophall

Springfield Central junior Jorge Torres takes flight for a dunk at the Spalding Hoophall Classic.

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - After leading his Springfield Central squad past rival Putnam at Springfield College, junior Jorge Torres couldn't help but enjoy beating a team that had already caused him so much anguish in his career.

Thanks in large part to Torres' 19 points, eight rebounds and two blocks, Central (7-0) outlasted Putnam (3-4), 66-59, in the night cap of the Spalding Hoophall Classic's local night on Thursday. It was a stark contrast to last year's game, which Putnam won handily, before the Beavers defeated the Golden Eagles twice more that season.

Clearly, revenge was on Torres' mind.