With the MIAA statewide match pairings out, let’s check out the eight defending champions and their prospects of returning to Gillette.
Div. 1 (Xaverian): This hasn’t been the smoothest season for the Hawks, who misplaced three video games (two throughout the Catholic Convention). Xaverian opens with Brockton, a crew they used to play for years in probably the greatest nonleague rivalries round.
Div. 2 (King Philip): The Warriors ran the desk within the common season (8-0) to increase their successful streak to 21. King Philip might very nicely face Marshfield, a crew that they defeated within the championship sport, within the semifinals.
Div. 3 (Milton): The Wildcats went by way of a uncommon dropping season below Steve Dembowski. They enter the match at 3-5 with an 11-seed however, as any coach will let you know, they’re 0-0 proper now. They open towards a Dartmouth crew with a gaudy file, however hasn’t confronted the extent of competitors Milton has, making for a probably juicy opener.
Div. 4 (Duxbury): Scituate has garnered a lot of the fanfare within the Patriot League and on this division with good cause, however Duxbury is slowly rounding into championship kind. Since dropping to Franklin, the Dragons have received 4 straight by 17 factors or extra.
Div. 5 (Foxboro): After an early-season battle, the Warriors soared down the stretch. They ended the season on a 5-0 run highlighted by wins over Canton and North Attleboro.
Div. 6 (Fairhaven): The Blue Devils are 7-1, the one loss coming to Div. 1 contender BC Excessive. Justin Marques and firm are a crew with the arrogance and expertise to repeat as champions.
Div. 7 (Uxbridge): The undefeated Spartans don’t seem like able to relinquish their crown any time quickly. Uxbridge has one of many higher offenses within the state, scoring not less than 34 factors in seven video games.
Div. 8 (West Boylston): The Lions have received three straight to enter the match with a 6-2 file and a six-seed. They seem to have acquired the advantage of a positive draw as Jap Mass. stalwarts Randolph and Nashoba Tech are on the opposite aspect of the draw.
COACHING MILESTONES
Northbridge’s Ken LaChapelle can grow to be the primary coach in state historical past to win 400 video games when his crew faces. LaChapelle has an total file of 399-136-6 in his tenure at Northbridge which started as head coach in 1976.
Pentucket’s Steve Hayden will look to grow to be the nineteenth coach in state historical past to amass 250 wins this weekend in a non-playoff sport towards an opponent to be named. West Bridgewater’s Justin Kogler can be part of the 100-win fraternity as his crew takes on Cohasset.
SWEET 16
1. Catholic Memorial (7-1): Knights roll into the postseason on the heels of a dominant begin to the Catholic Convention portion of the schedule.
2. King Philip (8-0): Blackjack for the Warriors – 21 straight wins.
3. Needham (8-0): A dominant common season for the Bay State Convention champions.
4. St. John’s Prep (7-1): Secure to say the Eagles suffered no in poor health results following their first loss.
5. Marshfield (7-1): Rams have rolled since a mid-season bye.
6. BC Excessive (6-1): Time to regroup after seeing their undefeated run come to an finish at St. John’s Prep final Friday.
7. Xaverian (5-3): Hawks closed the common season with one-sided wins towards Catholic Convention foes Malden Catholic and St. John’s (Shrewsbury).
8. Scituate (8-0): Sailors dominated in the course of the common season, however know full nicely which means nothing shifting ahead.
9. Methuen (7-1): When Methuen confronted Franklin within the match two years in the past, Drew Eason pulled a rabbit out of his hat to present Methuen a win.
10. Natick (7-1): Powerful draw for the Redhawks, getting extremely touted Springfield Central within the first spherical of the Div. 1 match.
11. Central Catholic (5-3): Youthful Raiders taking part in their greatest ball down the stretch.
12. Studying (8-0): Rockets ready for the postseason by placing a 60-spot on Belmont.
13. Franklin (7-1): Todd Kiley has quietly accomplished a incredible job in his first season at Franklin.
14. Duxbury (7-1): Dragons have a historical past of figuring out what it takes to get the job accomplished in November and December.
15. Fairhaven (7-1): Blue Devils enter the Div. 6 match as one of many favorites to defend their state title.
16. Bishop Feehan (7-1): Champions of the Central Catholic League, the Shamrocks will check their mettle within the Div. 2 state match.
