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Longmeadow makes quite a splash, entering this week's MIAA boys' lacrosse Top 25 poll at No. 11 while making its season debut.

The Lancers crack the rankings this week after notching a Top 25 victory over Central Mass Power Algonquin. However, they weren't the only Western Mass. squad entering the poll this week, as South Hadley -- only a half-game behind Longmeadow in the Wheel standings at 5-0 -- also makes its season debut at No. 22.

(Editors note: Rankings do not reflect Tuesday's results or the adjustment in records made in accordance with Foxborough's forfeited win over No. 12 Reading.)

A BIG WIN
Aside from Longmeadow, the team covering the most ground this week is Dover-Sherborn. The Raiders hop up 10 spots to No. 15 after a huge 6-3 win over Tri-Valley League rival Medfield -- showing why they're to team to beat (again) in Division 3. Now, we could have been more harsh on the Warriors, but we still believe Medfield is the team to beat in Division 2, so we're keeping them in the Top 10 at No. 7 -- for now. Also drawing a significant boost from a conference win last week is Andover, which moves up seven spots to No. 16 after a thrilling overtime victory over Merrimack Valley rival Billerica.

We updated our statewide MIAA Top 25 baseball poll this morning. To view it, CLICK HERE.

The next poll update will be Monday, May 6.

A few notes and observations about this week's poll:

St. John's Prep is new No. 1: Following its 6-5 thriller over BC High last Wednesday, St. John's Prep ascends to the top spot in the land for the first time since last season. The Eagles have won 10 straight since their season-opening loss to rival Xaverian, and a big reason is for the explosion of bats. Offensively, they are averaging 8.5 runs per game.

Catholic Conference reigns supreme: Catholic Memorial makes its season debut at No. 18, following a 5-0 upset of Xaverian on Friday. With the Knights' entry into the poll, as the fifth Catholic Conference school, this marks the first time since 2011, a league's full membership has been represented in the poll. Along with Prep's ascent to No. 1 the Catholic Conference also boasts BC High (3), Malden Catholic (8) and Xaverian (10) this week.

For the unfamiliar, the last time all five Catholic Conference schools were represented was in ESPNBoston.com's very first baseball poll of existence, the 2011 preseason poll. That list had none other than CM, with three Division 1-bound arms, as the top team in the land.

SPM making moves: St. Peter-Marian scored a huge victory on Saturday afternoon when they knocked off Malden Catholic 2-1 in extra innings. It marked the first time all season they have reached .500, and it also avenged a 3-1 loss to the Lancers back on April 13. With the win, SPM makes its season debut this week at No. 17.

The Guardians had a brutal start to their 2013 campaign, opening at 1-5 with losses to Hudson, St. John's (Shrewsbury), Billerica, Shrewsbury and the aforementioned Lancers -- all of whom are currently ranked, or have been ranked, in our poll this season. Since then, the Guardians have won four straight, getting excellent production out of its pitching staff led by D1 commits Zach Zona (UMass) and Jack Riley (UConn).

Making returns: SPM and CM are the lone teams making debuts this week, while a number of teams make returns after short absences. Westfield (20) returns after a one-week hiatus, followed by Braintree (22), Coyle-Cassidy (23) and Hudson (25).

Here's how the poll breaks down by league affiliation:

Catholic Conference - 5
Bay State - 3
Central Mass. Conference - 2
Northeastern - 2
Old Colony - 2
Southern Worcester County - 2
Valley League - 2
Atlantic Coast - 1
Cape Ann - 1
Eastern Athletic - 1
Merrimack Valley - 1
Mid-Wach B - 1
Patriot - 1
Valley Wheel - 1

We updated our statewide MIAA Top 25 poll this morning. To view it, CLICK HERE.

The poll was initially planned for a release this past Friday, but was postponed. From herein, you can expect a baseball poll update each Monday by noon through the end of the regular season.

A few notes and observations about this week's poll:

North makes a splash: The Bay State Conference made another big turn this week with a win over a Catholic Conference power. Newton North jumps up one spot to No. 5 following a big Thursday morning win over Xaverian, doubling up the defending D1 state champs 8-4.

Notable newcomers: We've got a slew of debut this week following some exciting April vacation baseball. The most notable entrance this week is Bridgewater-Raynham, which storms into the poll at No. 12 following wins over New Bedford and Silver Lake in the Brad Martin Tournament. Silver Lake, for its own regard, comes in at No. 15 on the heels of a win over Plymouth North en route to the final with B-R.

Shrewsbury (16), North Reading (19) and Chelmsford (20) also make debuts this week, while Amherst (22) returns to the poll after a one-week hiatus.

Here's how the poll breaks down this week by league affiliation:

Catholic Conference - 4
Bay State - 3
Northeastern - 3
Merrimack Valley - 2
Old Colony - 2
Southern Worcester County - 2
Valley League - 2
Atlantic Coast - 1
Cape Ann - 1
Central Mass. Conference - 1
Mid-Wach A - 1
Patriot - 1
South Coast - 1
Valley Wheel - 1

We updated our statewide MIAA Top 25 baseball poll this afternoon. To view it, CLICK HERE.

The next poll update will be Friday, April 19.

A few notes and observations about this week's poll:

BC High back on top: With its thrilling 2-1 victory over Malden Catholic under the lights Monday, BC High moves into the No. 1 spot for the first time since last season, when they were ranked No. 1 in the preseason. Once again, the Eagles make a clean sweep of the top spots, with St. John's Prep (2) and Malden Catholic (3) sweeping the top three positions. Preseason No. 1 Xaverian, off to a 1-3 start with a brutal schedule, falls back 10 spots to No. 11.

Here come the Raiders: One of the biggest statements of the early season has been Wellesley, which delivered a surprise 13-3 thrashing of Xaverian on April 6. For that, the Raiders make their season debut at No. 10. Overall, the Bay State Conference is off to a terrific start, with Walpole (4) and Newton North (6) also represented in the Top 10.

A few new debuts: Hudson storms into the poll for the first time since last season, at No. 17, following season-opening wins over D1 contenders St. Peter-Marian and Algonquin. The Hawks, along with SWCL mainstays Auburn (8) and Northbridge (20) make it three teams represented in the poll from the competitive Division 2 Central bracket.

Elsewhere, Malden (21), Lincoln-Sudbury (23), Beverly (24) and Barnstable (25) all make season debuts this week.

Here's how the poll breaks down by league affiliation:

Catholic Conference - 4
Bay State - 3
Northeastern - 3
Southern Worcester County - 2
Valley League - 2
Atlantic Coast - 1
Central Mass. Conference - 1
Dual County - 1
Greater Boston - 1
Merrimack Valley - 1
Mid-Wach A - 1
Mid-Wach B - 1
Middlesex - 1
Old Colony - 1
South Coast - 1
Valley Wheel - 1

We unveiled our first state wide Top 25 MIAA girls lacrosse poll this afternoon. To view it, CLICK HERE.

The next poll update will be Thursday, April 18.

NOTE: Thursday's games were not reflected in this week's poll.

A few notes and observations about this first poll:

Westwood remains No. 1: Can anyone knock off Westwood? The Wolverines have won two straight Division 1 state titles, and are a favorite to three-peat with a loaded group of returning lettermen, led by two dynamic juniors -- Northwestern-bound midfielder Jamison O'Neill, and fleet-footed attack Ela Hazar. The Wolverines come into this first poll of 2013 exactly where they left off 2012, as the No. 1 team in the state.

TVL reigns supreme: Westwood has owned the Tri-Valley League for as long as we can remember, but there is still plenty of talent the rest of the way down. Four teams from the TVL are represented in the first poll of 2013, more than any other league in the state, led by Westwood at the top and followed by Medfield (16), Dover-Sherborn (18) and Hopkinton (21).

Here's how the poll breaks down by league affiliation:

Tri-Valley - 4
Dual County - 3
Mid-Wach A - 3
Valley Wheel - 3
Bay State - 2
Cape Ann - 2
Merrimack Valley - 2
Hockomock - 1
Independent - 1
Middlesex - 1
Northeastern - 1
Patriot - 1
South Shore - 1

Defending Division 1 state champion Duxbury opens another season as the No. 1 team in our initial MIAA boys' lacrosse poll Top 25 poll.

The Dragons, despite losing 10 Division 1 recruits off of last year's team, are deep again and looking for their 10th state title in the last 11 years. They will surely face a stiff challenge from Lincoln-Sudbury, which checks in at No. 2, and boasts a host of Division 1 talent in its own right. Last year's Division 1 state runner-up Needham begins the season at No. 3

CROWDED IN D2
Once again, the Division 2 race should be one to watch. Defending state champion Concord-Carlisle gained the highest ranking by a D2 team, peaking at No. 5. But they'll field challenges throughout the year from a bunch of D2 teams huddled in the Top 10. Hingham claims the No. 6 spot, followed by Catholic Memorial (No. 7), Reading (No. 9) and Medfield (No. 10).

The Central Mass competition in the division will also be tightly contested with defending sectional champion Algonquin (No. 16), but look for Grafton to make a push, starting out at No. 18, and No. 23 St. John's (Shrewsbury) is always a force.

There is one lone Division 3 representative in our initial poll, with defending state champion Dover-Sherborn appearing at No. 13.

We unveiled our first statewide MIAA Top 25 baseball poll of the 2013 season last night. To see the poll, CLICK HERE.

From herein, look for the poll to be updated every Friday during the regular season.

A few notes and observations about the first poll of the season:

Xaverian No. 1, Catholic Conference reigns supreme: To little surprise, defending Division 1 state champion Xaverian comes in at No. 1 in the first poll of the 2013 season, behind a deep pitching staff led by seniors Austin DeCarr and Alex Person. As is typical with the first poll of many a baseball season in Massachusetts, the Catholic Conference dominates the top, with four of its five teams reprsented in the first six spots. St. John's Prep is directly behind Xaverian at No. 2, followed by BC High (4) and Malden Catholic (5). While not listed, the Catholic Conference's other school, Catholic Memorial, could make some noise this spring as well.

Good showing from Lynn, NEC: The Northeastern Conference is one of three leagues with three members ranked in the first poll of the year, led by No. 5 Peabody and its crafty righthander Pat Ruotolo. The other two schools are archrivals from the city of Lynn, English (20) and Classical (24). Both schools feature one of the state's top players -- English with its Vanderbilt-bound lefty Ben Bowden, and Classical with its Stony Brook-bound catcher Kyle Devin.

Eyes on the Bay State Prize: It should be an interesting season in the Bay State Conference, which also has three teams ranked to start the year. No. 3 Walpole should be a favorite again, but things have already gotten interesting with No. 10 Newton North delivering an upset yesterday. Also keep an eye on No. 19 Norwood, as well as Braintree and Wellesley.

Here's how the poll breaks down this week by league affiliation:

Catholic Conference - 4
Bay State - 3
Northeastern - 3
Valley League - 3
Southern Worcester County - 2
Atlantic Coast - 1
Central Mass. Conference - 1
Eastern Athletic - 1
Hockomock - 1
Merrimack Valley - 1
Mid-Wach A - 1
Middlesex - 1
South Coast - 1
Tri-Valley - 1
Valley Wheel - 1

For the third straight year, the three-time defending Super 8 champion Malden Catholic Lancers finished No. 1 in our MIAA boys' hockey Top 25 poll.

After hovering around .500 for the first half of the season, the Lancers turned it and rolled through the Super 8 en route to another celebration on the TD Garden ice.

We pulled Catholic Memorial into the No. 2 spot with the belief that whichever team won the Catholic Conference duel in the Super 8 semifinals had an inside track. However, don't be surprised if the 2013-14 rankings kick off with Super 8 runner-up Austin Prep in the pole position.

MIDDLESEX DOMINANCE
Moving past the Super 8 teams populating the Top 10, the Middlesex League provides a strong middle class to the final poll. Beginning with No. 8 Reading (Super 8 team), four straight Middlesex League teams represent, with back-to-back Division 2 state champion Wilmington and two-time defending Division 1 champion Burlington round out the Top 10. Division 1 North runner-up Winchester checks in at No. 11.

The Middlesex League led all conferences with six representing teams in the final poll (including No. 19 Melrose and No. 20 Wakefield).

Wilmington (D2) was ranked ahead of Burlington (D1) on the strength of two regular-season conference wins. The Wildcats will join fellow Div. 2 finalist Franklin (No. 17) in the Div. 1 poll next year.

We updated our statewide MIAA Top 25 girls basketball poll for the final time in the 2012-13 season, following last weekend's state championships at Worcester's DCU Center. To view the complete poll, CLICK HERE.

A few notes and observations about the final poll:

Archies elevates to top spot: After a dominant run through the Division 3 tournament, culminating in a third state title in eight seasons, Archbishop Williams moves up into the top spot as the No. 1 overall team in the state. We gave them the edge over Medfield, which lost to Archies during the regular season. During the state tournament, the Bishops' average margin of victory was nearly 20 points. Better yet, next year they could be even better, with just Sara Ryan graduating, but returning talented frontcourt players Alana Gilmer and Jaylen Williams. Still better yet, they will be moving to Division 1 for the 2013-14 season.

Medfield (2), Reading (3), Central Catholic (4) and Braintree (5) round out the top five.

Notable debuts, returns: As with seemingly every conclusion of a basketball season, there are always a few surprise teams that make the final poll. Most notable among the surprise teams is Newton South, which delivered one of the more stunning first-round upsets of the tournament when they knocked off their cross-town rivals, No. 1 seed Newton North, in Division 1 South. The Lions come in at No. 19; also making debuts are back-to-back D4 state champ Fenway (18), along with Nashoba (23), Chicopee (24) and Masconomet (25).

Making returns to the poll in its final installment of the season are North Andover (14), Franklin (15), Lee (20) and Notre Dame of Hingham (21).

MVC reigns supreme: Just like in the final boys poll released yesterday, the Merrimack Valley Conference is the most well-represented on the poll, with four teams. Division 1 state champ Central Catholic comes in at No. 4, followed by Billerica (9), Andover (10) and North Andover (14). That is at least double any league besides the Cape Ann, which had three teams represented in Pentucket (7), Ipswich (17) and Masconomet (25).

Here's how the poll breaks down by league affiliate:

Merrimack Valley - 4
Cape Ann - 3
Bay State - 2
Catholic Central - 2
Dual County - 2
Hockomock - 2
Berkshire County - 1
Boston City - 1
Central Mass. Conference - 1
Independent - 1
Middlesex - 1
Mid-Wach B - 1
Northeastern - 1
Patriot - 1
Suburban - 1
Tri-Valley - 1

We updated our statewide MIAA Top 25 boys basketball poll for the final time in the 2012-13 season today. To see it, CLICK HERE.

A few notes and observations about the final poll:

Putnam finishes at the top: Following its dramatic 50-48 overtime defeat of Mansfield on Saturday night for the Division 1 state championship, its first in school history, Springfield Putnam elevates 13 spots to the top of the poll. It's the second year in a row a Springfield public school has won the D1 state title and finished No. 1, following Putnam's archrivals Springfield Central a year ago.

It's an historic accomplishment for coach William Shepard's troops on a multitude of fronts. The Beavers lost just once in the state of Massachusetts, to rival West Springfield in February, shortly before the D1 West tournament started. When they returned the favor to West Side in the playoffs, it marked the first time since 1984 they had reached the sectional final. Putnam's win also marks the first time in nearly a decade that Western Mass. has gone back-to-back as Division 1 state champions since the period from 2002-04, when Cathedral, Amherst and Commerce won in succession.

Mansfield (2), Brighton (3), Danvers (4) and Central Catholic (5) round out the top five.

Brighton stands alone: In a continued gradual decline of the Boston City League, Brighton is the only team remaining in the poll, finishing No. 3 after winning its first Division 2 state title in school history. At one point in late December, the Boston City League had a record six teams in the poll -- the aforementioned Bengals, along with New Mission, East Boston, Madison Park, Charlestown and Dorchester -- but that number dwindled quickly. Of the 12 City teams that qualified for postseason, only Brighton and Snowden won more than two tournament games. Close to half of the City teams were eliminated in the first round.

Handful of debuts, returns: As one would expect in such an unpredictable tournament, a number of teams are either returning to the poll or making their debut. The most significant return is Milford, which catapults in at No. 8 after winning its first Division 1 Central title in 15 seasons. The most significant debut is Martha's Vineyard, which comes in at No. 9 after winning Division 3 South and taking state champion Danvers to the wire in the Eastern Mass. Final.

The other teams making debuts are D2 South champ Scituate (15) and D1 South semifinalist Brookline (23). Making returns to the poll are North Quincy (18), Everett (20) and Rockland (25).

MVC reigns supreme: As it has all season long, the Merrimack Valley Conference remains represented by four teams in the final poll, more than double any other league across the state. Central Catholic comes in at No. 5, followed by North Andover (6), Andover (10) and Lowell (22). Also getting mention in the "Last 10 out" is Haverhill, champion of the MVC's second tier. The Hillies scored one of the biggest upsets of the tournament when they beat No. 4 seed Westford Academy in the first round of the D1 North tournament.

Here is how the final poll breaks down by league affiliation:

Merrimack Valley - 4
Bay State - 2
Hockomock - 2
Mid-Wach A - 2
Northeastern - 2
Patriot - 2
Valley Wheel - 2
Boston City League - 1
Catholic Conference - 1
Central Mass. Conference - 1
Eastern Athletic - 1
Greater Boston - 1
Middlesex - 1
South Coast - 1
South Shore - 1
Valley League - 1

We thank you again for following along with us this winter. Be sure to check back with us throughout the rest of the week for more postseason accolades and final polls.

We updated our statewide MIAA Top 25 boys basketball poll this afternoon. To view it, CLICK HERE.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This will be the final boys basketball poll update of the regular season. The next poll update will be on March 18, following the MIAA state championships in Worcester.

A few notes and observations about this week's poll:

Bulldogs bite heavyweights: Two state title contenders, Springfield Central and St. John's Prep, were upset on consecutive days by Lynn English in the IAABO Board 130 Classic, at Central Catholic's Memorial Gymnasium. In the championship game over Prep, junior guard Freddy Hogan sank a 10-foot runner at the buzzer to send the place into a frenzy. With the win, the Bulldogs have now won 11 of their last 12, and make their season debut at No. 12 in our poll.

Big shifts: A number of upsets to ranked teams made for quite the interesting shuffle. Follow along:

*** Central Catholic drops one spot for its loss to St. John's Prep in the IAABO 130 semifinals, but avoids dropping further on account of an impressive win over Springfield Central, thrashing the Golden Eagles by 25 in the consolation game.

*** North Andover takes a drop six spots to No. 11 following its loss to Westford Academy on Monday. Hard to drop the Scarlet Knights much further, on account of their record in the Merrimack Valley Conference -- the Knights have a win each over Central (4), Lowell (8) and Andover (21).

*** Danvers drops five spots to No. 9 following losses to Brighton and Newton North in the Comcast Tournament. The previously-unbeaten Falcons lost point guard and Northeastern Conference MVP Eric Martin to an ankle injury in the second half of the Brighton loss, and his presence was sorely missed in a 58-42 North thrashing the following day.

*** Mansfield and St. John's Prep each suffered a loss this week -- the Hornets in overtime to rival No. 23 Franklin, and Prep to Lynn English in the IAABO 130 final, at the buzzer. Considering the scenarios, everybody else losing, each team following up with a win over a Top 25 squad, and both teams holding wins over No. 3 BC High, we decided to keep Mansfield and Prep at the Nos. 1 and 2 spots respectively.

*** Two Western Mass. powers stumbled. Putnam fell six spots to No. 14 following its first loss of the season, to West Springfield. Springfield Central took the most dramatic drop of any team this week, plunging 12 spots to No. 22.

Debuts and returns: In addition to Lynn English, North Reading is also making a season debut in the polls, at No. 25. The 19-0 Hornets are one of two remaining unbeatens in Massachusetts, along with No. 5 Melrose (19-0). Westford (19) and Franklin (23) make returns to the poll this week after extended absences.

Here's how the poll breaks down this week by league affiliation:

Merrimack Valley - 4
Boston City League - 2
Catholic Conference - 2
Hockomock - 2
Mid-Wach A - 2
Northeastern - 2
Valley Wheel - 2
Bay State - 1
Big Three - 1
Cape Ann - 1
Central Mass. Conference - 1
Dual County - 1
Dual Valley - 1
Middlesex - 1
South Coast - 1
Valley League - 1

We updated our statewide MIAA Top 25 girls basketball poll this morning. To view it, CLICK HERE.

A few notes and observations:

Reading remains atop poll: No. 1 Reading holds on to its top spot as they close in on nearly two seasons without a loss in the Middlesex League. In fact, the Rockets haven't lost a game period since March of 2011, when they were ousted by Gloucester in the Division 2 North semifinals. Their state-best 42-game active win streak should be put to the test this weekend, when they enter a Comcast Tournament field with No. 2 Archbishop Williams and No. 4 Billerica.

Returns and debuts: Longmeadow is the lone school making a return to the poll this week, shooting in at No. 18 after nearly a month-long hiatus. Meanwhile, last year's Division 2 state runner-up Tyngsborough makes its season debut at No. 24. The Tigers have not lost a game in Central Mass. since moving into the district for the 2011-12 school year, and currently sit at 17-0.

Catholic Central - 3
Merrimack Valley - 3
Bay State - 3
Cape Ann - 2
Bi-County - 1
Central Mass. Conference - 1
Dual County - 1
Eastern Athletic - 1
Hockomock - 1
Mid-Wach A - 1
Mid-Wach C - 1
Middlesex - 1
Northeastern - 1
Patriot - 1
South Shore - 1
Suburban - 1
Valley League - 1
Independent - 1

While teams at the top of our poll continue to jostle for position as the Super 8 selection meeting nears, there was some movement at the back end of our latest MIAA boys' hockey Top 25 poll.

Medfield returned to the poll at No. 23 after claiming the Tri-Valley League title and repaying rival Medway (while knocking the Mustangs from the Top 25) for the Warriors' lone loss of the season. Canton also marked its return to the poll since the 2010-11 season, entering with a 13-3-0 record.

Also, this week, Archbishop Williams makes its first-ever Top 10 appearance, ahead of its penultimate Catholic Central matchup with Austin Prep on Wednesday. In addition, Malden Catholic forged its way back into the Top 10, following a Super 8-caliber, 4-0 win over No. 10 Central Catholic.

We updated our statewide MIAA Top 25 boys basketball poll this afternoon. To view it, CLICK HERE.

Some notes about this week's poll:

Melrose on the rise: Go right ahead, tell us this was a glaring oversight. We can take it. Melrose is the biggest mover this week, jumping up eight spots to No. 9 following the Red Raiders' 65-61 win over Wakefield that clinched a title for the Raiders in the Middlesex League's Freedom division. Amidst all of the expected contenders in Division 2 North -- New Mission, Brighton, North Andover, Beverly -- we must now thoroughly insert the Raiders into the conversation. Junior guard Frantdzy Pierrot continues to emerge as one of the elite players in the Middlesex, while freshman point guard Sherron Harris -- cousin of last year's Middlesex League MVP, Jalen Adams -- is playing beyond his years.

Returning strong: West Springfield makes its return to the polls this week after a three-week hiatus. The Terriers' only two losses on the season are to No. 8 Putnam and No. 10 Springfield Central, and they'll get another crack at Putnam tomorrow night. Also making returns to the poll following extended absences are Wakefield (24) and Algonquin (25).

Here's how the poll breaks down this week by league affiliation:

Merrimack Valley - 4
Bay State - 2
Boston City - 2
Catholic Conference - 2
Hockomock - 2
Middlesex - 2
Mid-Wach A - 2
Valley Wheel - 2
Big Three - 1
Central Mass. Conference - 1
Dual Valley - 1
Inter-High - 1
South Coast - 1
South Shore - 1
Valley League - 1

We updated our statewide MIAA Top 25 boys basketball poll this afternoon, and for the first time in six weeks we have a new No. 1 team in the land. To view the complete poll, CLICK HERE.

A few notes and observations about this week's poll:

Mansfield takes over top spot: For the first time in six weeks, there is a new No. 1 team in the land. Mansfield takes over the top spot in our poll following Central Catholic's surprise losses to North Andover and St. John's Prep in five days. The Hornets have but one blemish on their resume -- a loss to No. 12 New Mission in December's Shooting Touch Shootout -- and have quality wins over BC High, Brockton, Taunton, Franklin and Amityville (N.Y.).

Mansfield currently stands unbeaten in the Hockomock League, but three pivotal games are on the horizon -- Milford (Tuesday), followed by rematches with Taunton (Friday) and Franklin (Feb. 12). They currently lead the league in scoring (70 points per game), and sophomore Brendan Hill (14 ppg) has put himself on the short list of contenders for Hockomock Player of the Year.

Rounding out the Top 5 are St. John's Prep (2), Central Catholic (3), Danvers (4) and North Andover (5).

South on the rise: Worcester South made its return to the polls last week after a month-long hiatus, following the Colonels' 18-point thrashing of Wachusett. Last Friday, for the second week in a row, they took down the top team in Central Mass., this time a 67-62 win over powerhouse St. John's of Shrewsbury, in the Colonels' own field house. Senior guard Rod Milton (23.5 points per game) is a lock for ESPN Boston All-State at this point, and has a terrific supporting cast in junior sharpshooter Kasheen Cunningham and sophomore post players Darwin Agyei and Khalil Bryan-Robinson.

Best of the West: Two Western Mass. squads sit in the Top 10 of our poll for the first time in our three-year history. Springfield Putnam slides two spots up to No. 8 this week, as one of two WMass squads still unbeaten alongside Greenfield. Meanwhile Springfield Central -- the defending MIAA Division 1 state champ, and our preseason No. 1 -- moves back into the Top 10 for the first time since week two, at No. 10, following a 56-55 overtime thriller over city rival Sci-Tech.

Notable newcomers, returns: Catholic Memorial makes a return to the poll this week for the first time since getting upset by St. Peter-Marian nearly four weeks ago. The Knights are in at No. 24 following wins over Xaverian and Malden Catholic, and a narrow loss to St. John's Prep, but face a tall task Tuesday night in archrival BC High. The lone debut this week is three-time defending Division 3 Central champ Whitinsville Christian, which makes its first appearance since the final poll 2011-12. The Crusaders scored a 55-51 overtime win over Charlestown last Friday, their first over the Townies since the annual series began in 2010.

Here's how the poll breaks down this week by league affiliation:

Merrimack Valley - 4
Boston City League - 3
Catholic Conference - 3
Hockomock - 3
Bay State - 1
Big Three - 1
Central Mass. Conference - 1
Dual Valley - 1
Inter-High - 1
Mid-Wach A - 1
Middlesex - 1
Northeastern - 1
South Coast - 1
South Shore - 1
Valley League - 1
Valley Wheel - 1