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With the unveiling of our MIAA All-State Teams for Boys and Girls late last week, the 2011-12 basketball season has come to close. But before we officially slam the book on another exciting season of hoop, and move on to spring sports, I wanted to get out a few thoughts on the landscape for next season.

To whet your appetite for the 2012-13 season, here are my early projections on the state's must-see teams to watch:

BOYS

Central Catholic - Plenty of talent returning with this squad, which captured the No. 1 overall spot in Division 1 North despite missing Luis Puello (ankle) for most of the season. ESPN Boston All-State guard Tyler Nelson returns as one of the state’s top shooters, but the Raiders also return all three of their regular bigs in Joel Berroa, Doug Gemmell and Nick Cambio.

New Mission – Apparently it’s never too early for bulletin board fodder, because head coach Cory McCarthy is already making some barnstorming rounds, telling ESPNBoston.com this afternoon that if the Titans don’t win the Division 2 state title next year, “I should be fired.” Bold, yes, but it’s hard not to like a lineup of Isshiah Coleman, Nate Anderson, Greg Bridges, Damion Smith and Shaquan Murray. There is some promising talent in those ranks.

Mansfield – Folks are talking about the Hornets being one of the South region’s top teams in two years’ time, between promising freshman Brendan Hill and sophomore Michael Hershman. I’m of the camp that believes with those two versatile parts, paired with a terrific coach in Mike Vaughan, the future is now.

Taunton – Shaquille O’Neal Davis. That’s legitimately his full name, and one you certainly will not forget by this time next year, for reasons that have nothing to do with The Big Aristotle.

West Springfield – Terriers return virtually everyone, including Chris Lipscomb, Paul Bessette, Andy McNulty, Dewey King, and leading scorer Riyadh Asad. West Side is the early favorite next year in Division 1 West.

St. John’s (Shrewsbury) – Junior transfer Tarik Octave was one of the nice surprises of the playoffs, and freshman Davon Jones has shades of former Pioneers great David White all over him (Doesn’t hurt that Jones was also the Pioneers’ starter at safety last fall, too). A boat load of underclassmen return, including Ken Harrington and T.J. Kelley, which should more than make up for the graduation of Matt Palecki.

Danvers – Falcons graduate 6-foot-7 center George Merry, an ESPN Boston All-State selection, but return some terrific guards. Nick McKenna, Nick Bates, Eric Martin and Dan Connors can all shoot the ball, and are perfectly-suited for John Walsh’s four-out offensive system. My early pick to repeat at D3 champs.

BC High – Eagles return what ought to be one of the state’s best backcourts in point guard Charles Collins and ESPN Boston All-State swingman Jameilen Jones. Throw into the mix one of the region’s best basketball minds in Bill Loughnane (he of four state titles) and it’s hard to think of the Eagles as anything but a favorite in the South.

Springfield Central – A plethora of talent graduates, including Chris Prophet, Lee Turner, Jevaughn McMilian, and ESPN Boston Super Teamer Tyrell Springer. But All-State forward Kamari Robinson should have another terrific season, and the way Cornelius Tyson exploded onto the scene in the Division 1 state final makes us all wonder if he’s about to realize the potential that many in the Springfield area have been talking about for so long.

Stoughton – Super Teamer Aaron Calixte and Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Middleton formed the state’s best backcourt in 2011-12. If all goes as planned, they’ll be well-equipped to defend that notion next season.

Wareham – Vikings might not endure an unbeaten regular season again next year. But another year of All-State point guard Darien Fernandez means they’re not going anywhere.

GIRLS

Braintree – Wamps started three freshmen this year: Ashley Russell, Bridget Herlihy, and 6-foot-1 center Molly Reagan. Expect them in conversation for state title contention from now until their time runs out in 2015.

Archbishop Williams – Ditto the Bishops, who have two 6-foot freshmen to look forward to the next three seasons. Add in sophomores Olivia Conrad and Leah Spencer, and their fiery mouthpiece Sara Ryan, and this could be another top-five team come December 2012.

Reading – The Rockets made a flawless run through the Division 2 gauntlet, winning their first Division 2 state title in school history as one of two final unbeaten squads in Massachusetts. Two-time Middlesex MVP and ESPN Boston All-State Olivia Healy returns, as does guard Morgan O’Brien.

Andover – Golden Warriors are expected to come down to Earth with the graduation of two-time ESPN Boston Miss Basketball, Nicole Boudreau, and UConn lacrosse commit Ally Fazio. What might be overlooked amidst Andover’s unprecedented run to a third straight state title is that there were plenty of terrific complimentary backcourt pieces in the underclass.

Central Catholic – Raiders treaded water after some injuries early on. But once junior forward Casey McLaughlin was back to full strength, they made a run all the way to the Division 1 North semifinals. Have to imagine they’ll be in conversation again next year.

THE SUPER TEAM

Guard – Aaron Calixte, Jr., Stoughton
An exceptional athlete gifted with a tenacious motor, and one of the state's most dynamic scorers, the 5-foot-11 Calixte was the driving force behind the Black Knight's run to the Division 2 Eastern Mass. final, and asserted himself as the state's premier point guard. For his junior season, he averaged 19 points and six assists, and was named a Hockomock League All-Star. Calixte also stands out on the gridiron for the Black Knights' football squad.

Guard – Tyrese Hoxter, Jr., Charlestown
After playing in the shadows of former All-Stater Akosa Maduegbunam a year ago, the 6-foot-3 Hoxter thoroughly burst onto the scene and had a monster campaign for the Townies, leading them to the TD Garden floor for the first time since 2005 before bowing out to Brockton in the Division 1 Eastern Mass. Final. This season he averaged 19 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Guard – Tyrell Springer, Sr., Springfield Central
After falling short of a state title two seasons ago with New Leadership, the 6-foot-2 Springer led Central to the DCU Center floor this season where the Golden Eagles captured their first Division 1 state title since 1991. The centerpiece of one of the state's most athletic lineups, Springer averaged 15.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, seven assists and 7.3 steals. He is undecided on college plans.

Forward – Jake Layman, Sr., King Philip
The 6-foot-8 Layman was one of the most dominant players in Massachusetts this season, with the ability to score both inside and out, as the Warriors set a school single-season record for wins (18) before suffering a surprise upset in the Division 2 South quarterfinals. In 21 games, he averaged 26.5 points, 16 rebounds, 5.8 blocks, 3.2 assists and three steals. He closes his career with with 1,752 points, 1,098 rebounds and 391 blocks, giving him career averages of 20.6 points, 12.9 rebounds, 4.6 blocks, 2.8 steals and 2.6 assists. This is his second appearance on the Super Team; he also captured the Hockomock League's MVP for the second straight season. Layman, who was named ESPN Boston's "Mr. Basketball" earlier this week, is ranked the nation's No. 62 overall senior by ESPN, and will continue his career next season at the University of Maryland.

Center – Sayvonn Houston, Sr., Brockton
A nightly double-double machine, Houston established himself as one of the state's most dominant true centers, making life difficult down low as the Boxers went 23-3 and made their first Division 1 state final appearance since 1985. He saved his biggest performances for the biggest stages, such as his 20-20 night in the Division 1 South semifinals, or his 22-point, 13-rebound effort in Brockton's overtime win over Charlestown in the Division 1 Eastern Mass. Final at TD Garden. Houston is undecided on college plans.

BEST OF THE REST

Jalen Adams, Soph. G, Melrose
Quickly rising as one of the Bay State's most complete scoring guards, the 6-foot-1 Adams took home Middlesex League MVP honors after averaging 21 points per game. He led the Red Raiders to an 18-2 regular season record, before they fell to state runner-up Brighton in the Division 2 North semifinals. Adams has already declared that he will be transferring to Wilbraham & Monson Academy next season, where he will reclassify to the Class of 2015.

Jaylen Blakely, Jr. G, Brockton
Like Houston, the 5-foot-11 Blakely saved some of his best performances for the crunch time in the playoffs, such as his eight-assist performance in the Boxers' win over Catholic Memorial. Blakely distributed evenly to Brockton's talented shooters and post players, as they went 23-3 and reached their first state final appearance since 1985.

Matt Droney, Sr. F, Catholic Memorial
A terrific shooter, the 6-foot-4 Droney was named the Catholic Conference's MVP after a season of averaging 20.7 points, six assists and five rebounds per game. He also became the eighth player in school history to surpass 1,000 points earlier this season. The Canton resident will be doing a post-graduate season next year at the Taft School in Connecticut.

Darien Fernandez, Jr. G, Wareham
The 5-foot-7 waterbug demonstrated a tenacious motor in leading the Vikings to their second Division 3 Eastern Mass. Final appearance in three seasons. Wareham was the state's last unbeaten before losing to state champion Danvers. For the season, Fernandez averaged 24 points, 10 assists, eight rebounds and five steals, and recorded three triple-doubles. He needs just 45 points next season to reach 1,000 for his career.

Rony Fernandez, Sr. G, Charlestown
Fernandez was one of the most outstanding point guards of the MIAA tournament, leading the Townies to a thrilling win over Lexington in the Division 1 North final before bowing out to state runner-up Brockton in the Eastern Mass. Finals. For the season he averaged 16 points and seven assists. He is undecided on college plans, but is currently fielding interest from Division 1 programs such as Maine, Northeastern and Hartford.

Joey Glynn, Sr. F, Cardinal Spellman
The 6-foot-5 Abington resident did it all this season for the Cardinals, averaging a double-double (18.5 points, 12 rebounds, three steals, 2.2 blocks) as they lost to Eastern Mass. runner-up Wareham in the Division 3 South semifinals. For his career, Glynn scored 1,425 points. He will continue his career next season at Bentley University.

Steve Haladyna, Sr. G/F, St. John’s Prep
One of two repeat All-Staters, the 6-foot-3 Haladyna was unable to lead the Eagles deep in their Division 1 state title defense, but he still leaves the Danvers campus as one of its most decorated basketball stars. He averaged 22.4 points and 9.5 rebounds per game, both team highs, and for his career he finishes with 1,392 points -- second all-time on Prep's scoring list. The South Hamilton resident will continue his career next season at Tufts University.

Malik James, Soph. G, Brighton
The 6-foot-1 James elevated his game when the Bengals needed it most, as they made their first state final appearance in school history, falling to Mahar in the Division 2 title game. For the season, James averaged 18.1 points, 8.2 assists and 4.2 rebounds as the Bengals won their first-ever Eastern Mass. title.

Jameilen Jones, Jr. G, BC High
BC High's season came to an unexpected halt as the Eagles loss in the first round of the Division 1 South tournament, but the 6-foot-2 Jones has established himself as one of Eastern Mass.'s premier two-way players. For the season, he averaged 17 points and eight rebounds as the Eagles went 15-6.

Zach Karalis, Sr. G, North Andover
The 6-foot-1 Karalis was one of the driving forces for the Scarlet Knights, who went 21-2 and reached the playoffs an unprecedented 47th straight time. For the season he averaged 15.9 points and shot 46 percent from the field, to go along with 6.5 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.8 steals. Karalis will continue his career next season at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

Kevin LaFrancis, Sr. C, Acton-Boxborough
After a stellar season in leading the 21-2 Colonials to a Division 1 North semifinal appearance, the 6-foot-6 LaFrancis was named the Dual County League's MVP. He averaged 19.5 points and eight rebounds this season, and finishes his career at A-B with 1,012 career points. He is undecided on college plans.

Alex Lopez, Sr. G, Springfield Commerce
The 5-foot-10 Lopez led the Valley League in scoring for the second straight season, averaging 22.3 points as the Red Raiders went to the Division 1 Western Mass. Finals and took state champion Springfield Central to the wire. He led Western Mass. in field goals made (185) and total points (512). Lopez is currently undecided on college plans.

Damian Lugay, Sr. G, Weymouth
The 6-foot-2 Lugay led the Wildcats to a second straight 17-win season, before they were bounced in the first round of the Division 1 South tournament. For the season he averaged 18.1 points and just under four assists, and leaves Weymouth as a two-time First Team All-Bay State Conference. Lugay is undecided on college plans.

George Merry, Sr. C, Danvers
At 6-foot-7, Merry was a force at both ends of the floor for the Falcons, known for his ability to redirect shots as much as his scoring touch. He averaged 16.1 points, eight rebounds and 6.6 blocks as Danvers captured its first Division 3 state championship in school history. Merry is currently undecided on college plans, but showing interest from several schools in Divisions 2 and 3.

Marcus Middleton, Jr. G, Stoughton
Tasked nightly with locking down the opposition's top scorer, Middleton established himself as one of the state's premier on-ball defenders. Middleton averaged 16 points per game for the Black Knights, who won the Division 2 South title before bowing out to state runner-up Brighton in the Eastern Mass. championship at TD Garden. Middleton also stars on Stoughton's football squad.

Matt Mobley, Sr. G/F, St. Peter-Marian
One of state's most pleasant late-blooming surprises, the 6-foot-3 Mobley was one of the leading scorers in Central Mass. as the Guardians made it all the way to the Division 1 Central Final. For the season, he averaged 23.2 points in leading SPM to its most successful season under head coach Marcus Watson. Mobley finished his career at SPM with 1,175 points, and will do a post-graduate season next year at Worcester Academy.

Tyler Nelson, Soph. G, Central Catholic
The 5-foot-11 Nelson established himself as one of the state's premier shooters, as the Raiders made it to the Division 1 North semifinals before bowing out to champion Charlestown. He averaged 15.5 points and four assists this season, shot 42 percent from three-point range, and 91 percent from the free throw line.

Colin Richey, Jr. G, Whitinsville Christian
After winning a Division 3 state title a year ago, the 6-foot Richey nearly led them back, as the Crusaders lost in the final seconds to state runner-up St. Joseph Central in the state semifinals. For the seaosn, Richey averaged 16.8 points, 6.7 assist and 6.3 rebounds for the Dual Valley League champions.

Kamari Robinson, Jr. F, Springfield Central
The 6-foot-5 Robinson was a rock underneath for the Golden Eagles, who captured their first Division 1 state title since 1991 and third overall. He was a nightly double-double threat this season, averaging 13 points, 11 rebounds, four steals and three assists, as Central went undefeated in Massachusetts.

Michael Thorpe, Sr. G, Newton North
The Tigers went run-and-gun this season, and the 5-foot-11 Thorpe kept them thoroughly going. One year after reaching the Division 1 South finals, he nearly led them back, before losing to state runner-up Brockton in the semifinals. He was named the Bay State Conference's MVP, with averages of 15 points and four assists. Thorpe will continue his career next season at Emerson College.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
MARCUS MIDDLETON, STOUGHTON
The kind of on-ball pressure Middleton provided nightly to some of the state's premier scorers can take its toll physically, but he was routinely up to the task. As teammate Aaron Calixte saw a barrage of double-teams and box-and-one's, Middleton did his part at the other end, hedging off screens and staying one one's hip, chasing them all over the floor. As much praise as Calixte will get in this unprecedented season for the Knights, an equal amount must be thrown Middleton's way.

ALL-DEFENSIVE TEAM
G – Marcus Middleton, Jr., Stoughton
G – Anthony Hodges, Sr., Holy Name
G – Darien Fernandez, Jr., Wareham
F – Jake Layman, Sr., King Philip
C – George Merry, Sr., Danvers

COACH OF THE YEAR
HUGH COLEMAN, BRIGHTON
The Bengals lost their best player before the start of the tournament, and backpedaled into the playoffs with uninspiring losses to Acton-Boxborough and Madison Park. Yet in the end, they were one step away from the school's first-ever state title. Coleman is an unabashed disciple of the legendary Jack O'Brien, and staples of those historic Charlestown squads are sprinkled all over the program. Not only has Coleman done a remarkable job bringing the team to heights never before reached in his three seasons at the helm, but this is a program that will be dangerous for the next few years.

RUNNERS-UP:
Paul Connolly, Newton North
Dean O'Connor, Franklin

FINALISTS:
Kevin Brogioli, Wareham
John Gallivan, Stoughton
Reggie Hobbs, Lexington
Malcolm Smith, East Boston
Chad Softic, Mahar
John Walsh, Danvers
Dennis Wilson, Madison Park

ESPNHS' Eric Snyder breaks down the leading candidates for Massachusetts' boys basketball Gatorade Player of the Year honors, today on ESPNHS' Player of the Year blog.

Among the clubhouse leaders are two juniors from the prep school ranks, Worcester Academy guard Rene Castro and Cushing Academy forward Andrew Chrabascz.

Snyder has more:

Rene Castro
Junior guard, Worcester Academy (Worcester, Mass.)

2011-12 Team record: 15-11
2011-12 Team standing: Lost in New England Prep School Athletic Council Class AA quarterfinals

2011-12 Points per game: 23.4
2011-12 Rebounds per game: 3.4
2011-12 Assists per game: 2.1
2011-12 Steals per game: 1.6

Academics: B average
Collegiate destination: HS junior

How he’s played himself into the State POY conversation: BCD Holiday Hoops Tournament MVP; National Prep Showcase All-Tournament Team

Andrew Chrabascz
Junior forward, Cushing Academy (Ashburnham, Mass.)

2011-12 Team record: 20-7
2011-12 Team standing: Lost in New England Prep School Athletic Council Class B quarterfinals

2011-12 Points per game: 17.0
2011-12 Rebounds per game: 9.0
2011-12 Assists per game: 2.2
2011-12 Blocks per game: 0.6
2011-12 Steals per game: 1.4

Academics: A-minus average
Collegiate destination: HS junior

How he’s played himself into the State POY conversation: Team MVP; 20-plus Division I scholarship offers

Make no mistake, the Gatorade State Boys Basketball Player of the Year race isn’t over yet. Time remains for one standout student-athlete among thousands to rise to the top of our list. Here are some more of many who’ve been in the conversation throughout the 2011-12 campaign.

Jaylen Brantley: Junior guard, Wilbraham & Monson Academy (Wilbraham, Mass.)
Aaron Calixte: Junior guard, Stoughton (Mass.)
Jake Layman: Senior forward, King Philip (Wrentham, Mass.)

BOSTON -- ESPN Boston High Schools Editor Brendan Hall and correspondent Tom Layman break down the action from last night's MIAA Eastern Mass. Finals from TD Garden.

Video produced by correspondent James Walsh:

BOSTON -- ESPN Boston High Schools Editor Brendan Hall and New Mission head coach Cory McCarthy break down the action in tonight's Division 2 Eastern Mass. Final, a 52-43 Brighton win over Stoughton.

Video was produced by correspondent James Walsh:

BOSTON -– Brighton coach Hugh Coleman said junior guard Daivon Edwards has struggled this tournament. He also said he is more than capable of hitting big shots.

Monday night at the TD Garden, he proved just how capable he was.

Edwards had five straight points to end the third quarter to give Brighton only its third lead of the game to that point, then hit a back-breaking three with 1:22 left in regulation, helping Brighton tackle Stoughton, 53-42, to capture the MIAA Division 2 Eastern Mass. championship and move on to Saturday's state finals.

“I think the key was to stay focused, keep our head in the game, 32 minutes straight,” said Brighton guard Malik James, who tied for a team-high 11 points with Edwards. “[We] listened to the coaches. Defense, rebounding, and just running off sets and taking our time.”

The Bengals’ 3-2 zone was too much for Stoughton, who couldn’t string together a solid run at any time during the game. And when Brighton couldn’t convert on offense, more often than not they’d get the offensive rebound and get a second chance, thanks in part to Jerard Mayes’ 5 offensive rebounds (11 total).

“I emphasized to the guys, especially my big guys, ‘I need you guys to really show up. I need you to dominate and do what I know your capable of,’” Coleman said. “We have some of the biggest and most athletic guys around. I believe that Prince [Unaegbu] and Jerard were able to get out there and take advantage of their ability and their size.”

The turning point came in the third quarter, when the Bengals only allowed six points and ended on a 7-2 run. The Bengals finished the job in the fourth, starting with a 15-7 run before Edwards’ huge three.

“They’re awfully big and we didn’t go a great job boxing out," Stoughton head coach John Gallivan said. "You can’t do that against a team that’s that long and that aggressive. A lot of times we made the first stop, but they got the put backs. They just wear you down after a while.”

Point Guard Showdown: The game showcased two of the best young point guards in the state in James and Stoughton’s Aaron Calixte, who finished with a game-high 17 points. The two battled back and forth throughout, poking and prodding at one another.

“He’s an awesome player, he’s an all-around player,” James said of his counterpart. “He has a nice jump shot [and] he can attack the rim. It was kind of tough for him when I played him full court. He was tired. I played good defense on him and helped my team. I think that’s what helped us get the victory tonight.”

Anytime Calixte would hit a shot, James would come back and answer himself or find a teammate to do so. In the end, it was James that led his team to Saturday.

“He has great leadership on the court,” Coleman said of his point guard. “He controls the tempo. We made a statement before that he’s kind of our Rondo. He’s able to just control the flow, he’s able to get people the ball, and then he’s able to create for himself, which loosens the pressure for everyone else.”

End of the Road for One... The Black Knights finish the season 20-5 and the Division 2 South Champions, but fall just short of a trip to the state finals.

“You take any of these guys out of this mix, and we’re not here,” Gallivan said of his team. “Right now, they are grieving as a team. They wanted this season to go on forever. They would have been sad probably if they won on Saturday, because the season would have been over.”

The Black Knights will lose key pieces Antonio “Nuke” Ferreira, Steffan Jackson, and Raymond Bowdre to graduation, but their top two scorers -- Calixte and Marcus Middleton -- are only juniors, and are penciled in to return.

….One More Game For the Other: With the win, Brighton will advance to play in the MIAA D2 State Finals on Saturday at the DCU Center against with winner of Tuesday's semifinal between St. Benard’s and Mahar at the MassMutual Center in Springfield.

“This is the moment, we’re going to enjoy it, we’re going to go home, and when we fall asleep and wake up tomorrow, done deal. We want to have the best week of practice and school. And then, hopefully go out there [Saturday] and give it our all and let the chips fall where they may."

BOSTON — This one meant a little bit more to Aaron Calixte.

It wasn’t in what he said in the postgame or the many hugs he received from friends, family and even complete strangers parading around center court once all the games completed for the day.

It was in the way that Calixte went darting for the last rebound to cinch a 59-53 victory for No. 4 seed Stoughton over No. 6 seed Hopkinton (17-7) to complete the Black Knights journey to the TD Garden.

The junior guard flew through the air to make sure the ball was in his hands at the end of the game and once the buzzer sounded he pounded the ball into the ground with two hands and immediately ran to his teammates for a few congraluatory chest bumps.

“It means a lot,” said Calixte. “There’s a first time for everything. It’s my first time going to the Garden and it’s my junior year. I can’t even explain how good it feels.

“We wanted revenge and that’s what we got tonight.”

Calixte has turned himself into one of the most polished guards in all of Eastern Mass. this season, and has turned himself into a household name with the most recent run to a Div. 2 South championship. The junior guard finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds, and most importantly hit a big bucket to turn the tide back into the favor of the Black Knights when it looked like the Hillers would get the better of Stoughton two years in a row.

The Hillers took a 43-42 lead early in the fourth quarter, their first of the second half, and Calixte moved smoothly, and quickly, up the court to nail a jumper to steal the lead back just seconds after giving it up.

“We have been in this situation many times,” he said. “We have been in close games all season, and we just know how to close out games and get wins. We know how to come back from a run and it never brings us down.

“He was very emotional in the huddle,” said Stoughton head coach John Gallivan, whose team hasn’t appeared in the Div. 2 South finals in eight years. “He was very emotional at halftime. He wanted this really bad -- not that the others didn’t, but he wanted it really badly. He went out and got it.”

The Animal: Much has been made about Marcus Middleton’s defense this season.

But hearing is one thing, seeing how hard the young man works at his craft is another.

Middleton took on Barrett Hanlon from the second the ball was tipped, and although there were some moments for Hanlon where he clearly gained an advantage in the battle, the overall war probably went the Black Knights’ defender’s way.

Hanlon scored 13 points and Middleton’s head coach had nothing but praise for his junior stopper.

“Marcus is a defensive animal,” said Gallivan. “He has been that guy every night this year. Whoever the best guy is, he’s going to play them and give us everything he’s got and I thought he was awesome tonight.”

Middleton has gone up against the very best in the Hockomock on a nightly basis and he knew he had a big-time matchup going into this one.

“I remember him from last time,” said Middleton. “During the man they have a pick-and-roll where he can go either way. He gets into the lane and he can shoot. I had to have a perfect game on him in order for us to win.”

Several times Middleton played a physical style of basketball on Hanlon, but not wonce did he reach and try and cheat to strip the ball. With all the contact he can create at times, which in a physical sport is presumably going to happen, Middleton explained that he doesn’t play defense with his hands or put himself into bad positions.

“I like to play more with my chest than with my hands,” said Middleton. “I find that if I play with my hands then I get hand checks on me. If I play more with my chest and my body then the refs can’t call it as much because I’m not reaching in.”

Late Call: The game was close and then an interesting call came with a little over a minute left to go in the game. As Calixte and Jason Dlugolecki were running up the court after a made basket, Calixte went to the ground and Dlugolecki was called for an intentional foul.

The Black Knights were awarded two free throws and Antonio Ferreira (16 points, 15 rebounds) made 1-of-2 to take a commanding six point lead.

“They didn’t really explain it,” said Tom Keane. “They said my player kicked their player. It’s a call they have to make I guess. It’s an interesting call with one minute left in a championship game. We have the ball down five. Two kids were going back-and-forth for a quarter and a half. It’s an interesting time to call it.”

Last month, prior to the MIAA Basketball Tournament seedings, I listed a number of teams in each division to be considered true contenders for the state championship. One week later, on the first day of the MIAA tournament, I went a little deeper and made my predictions for each of the 14 boys basketball brackets.

Conveniently, this has been one of the wildest MIAA tournaments in recent years. Last night, No. 1 seeds Central Catholic and North Andover went down in their respective brackets; that adds to a number of other contenders getting knocked out, including King Philip, Cardinal Spellman, Falmouth, Catholic Memorial, BC High, Holy Name and Manchester-Essex.

The next 48 hours figure to be just as crazy. We'll be covering all 12 of Saturday's North and South sectional finals, as well as Sunday's Division 1 Central final between St. John's (Shrewsbury) and St. Peter-Marian, so be sure to stick with us throughout the weekend.

For now, I've gone back and hit the reset button on my pre-tournament picks. Here's how I think Saturday and Sunday's slate will turn out.

(NOTE: Division 4 Finals are being played tonight)

BOYS PICKS

Division 1 North
Charlestown (19-4) vs. Lexington (17-7)
Nobody could have predicted this for a final -- and if you did, I have a time warp I'd like to sell you. After some early struggles, the Minutemen have picked up the slack under second-year coach Reggie Hobbs, beating Boston Latin, Westford and Acton-Boxborough in succession to get here. But with Central Catholic and A-B out of the way, the Townies have a clearer path. Expect another big game from Tyrese Hoxter and Co. Pick: Charlestown

Division 2 North
Wakefield (17-6) vs. Brighton (19-4)
Reports of Brighton's demise have been greatly exaggerated. Once thought to be stumbling following the loss of star forward Nick Simpson and subsequent early exit from City Championships, the Bengals have roared to life behind Daivon Edwards and Malik James. Ditto for Wakefield, which came into this tournament a mystery, but has suddenly put the state on notice after knocking off No. 1 overall seed North Andover last night. Pick: Brighton

Division 3 North
Danvers (18-4) vs. Saugus (14-9)
I said this was Danvers' bracket to lose at the beginning of this tournament, and the Falcons have done nothing to prove me otherwise. Saugus beat red-hot Arlington Catholic by 16 last night to advance to the finals, but I still think George Merry will provide too much of a matchup problem. Pick: Danvers

Division 1 South
Brockton (21-2) vs. Madison Park (19-2)
True, the MP Machine is the No. 2 seed in this bracket, but how many predicted the Cardinals would make it this far? Brockton has had some close calls, such as Wednesday's semifinal win over Newton North. But as they showed in their quarterfinal against Catholic Memorial, they can turn it on in a snap. The key here might come down to depth, where I think the Boxers hold an advantage. Excited to see the big-man matchup between Brockton's Sayvonn Houston and MP's Dakim Murray -- two true post players who are among the region's most physical. Pick: Brockton

Division 2 South
Stoughton (19-4) vs. Hopkinton (17-6)
Beware Hopkinton's dribble-drive motion. Just ask King Philip, which succumbed to the Hillers in last year's D2 South Final and again in this year's quarterfinals. We all know about Stoughton's athletic prowess, spearheaded by one of the state's best backcourts in juniors Aaron Calixte and Marcus Middleton. But do not sleep on the Hillers' point guard Barrett Hanlon, a two-time Tri-Valley League MVP who has been terrific this postseason. Pick: Stoughton

Division 3 South
Wareham (23-0) vs. Martha's Vineyard (21-2)
Between Wareham's dogged waterbug point guard Darien Fernandez and Vineyard's electric junior Jack Roberts, this could be one of the day's fastest games. The Vikings are constantly uptempo -- and have one of the state's best lead guards in Fernandez, to do the damage -- while the Vineyarders can run off points in bunches pretty quickly. The key might come down to foul trouble -- Tyler Gomes was the star for Wareham in the semifinals, but they can't afford to have Fernandez on the bench for long stretches again. Pick: Wareham

Division 1 Central
St. John's of Shrewsbury (18-5) vs. St. Peter-Marian (19-5)
If St. John's wins again, for an unprecedented fifth straight Central Mass. title, they may have to rename this tournament the Bob Foley Memorial Bracket. Again and again, Foley's troops have proven that no matter the personnel, bodies graduated, or overall record, they can win out as long as they get in. SPM's Matt Mobley will likely command a sophisticated defensive look, which is why the Guardians' bigs like Steve Flynn and Brian Foley are going to need to be in peak form. Pick: St. John's

Division 2 Central
Quabbin (20-3) vs. St. Bernard's (14-10)
Once one of the state's few remaining unbeatens, Quabbin lost three games but won the Clark Tournament to give themselves some momentum headed into this bracket. It's paid off, as the Panthers have beaten opponents by an average of 24 points in the tournament. Either way, this should be a terrific coaching matchup, between Quabbin's Dennis Dextradeur and St. Bernard's Mark Pierce. Pick: Quabbin

Division 3 Central
Whitinsville Christian (16-5) vs. Littleton (18-6)
Another bracket where I initially pegged a top seed as an overwhelming favorite, and nothing has convinced me to think otherwise. Sorry Littleton, but WC has been playing some of its best basketball, beating each of its opponents by 17 points or more in this tournament. Pick: Whitinsville Christian

Division 1 West
Springfield Central (21-1) vs. Springfield Commerce (16-6)
In these two teams' first matchup, Central survived a tough one, 52-43. When they met three weeks ago, Tyrell Springer nailed four 3-pointers in the second quarter and Central blew out the Red Raiders by nearly 40. I don't think that will happen again, but like Brockton, Central can turn it up in a hurry -- just ask West Springfield, which led Central by three after the first quarter of Wednesday's semifinal, only to lose by 27. Pick: Springfield Central

Division 2 West
South Hadley (13-9) vs. Mahar (19-3)
South Hadley's nine losses are misleading. They earned the No. 2 overall seed in this field, and beat their first two opponents by an average of 17 points. Can Mahar, which survived an overtime thriller to get here, buck the Tigers' trend? Pick: South Hadley

Division 3 West
St. Joseph Central (18-5) vs. Lee (18-5)
This is a St. Joe's team that nearly beat Holy Name back in December, and while I admit I haven't seen too much of this field, I like their chances. An average margin of victory of 26 points so far in this tournament backs this assertion up. Pick: St. Joseph Central

GIRLS PICKS

Division 1 North
Andover (24-0) vs. Masconomet (20-3)
Again, as good as Masco has been in this tournament -- getting Super Team production out of William & Mary signee Brooke Stewart, and great complimentary play from junior Claudia Marsh -- the freight train that is Andover and All-Everything guard Nicole Boudreau will continue to roll its way through. But unlike some of the Golden Warriors' earlier tournament results, I expect the Chieftains to throw haymakers and take the Warriors to the ropes. Pick: Andover

Division 2 North
Reading (22-0) vs. Arlington Catholic (21-3)
Another juggernaut matchup in the fold here. Both teams have gone through some dominant stretches, and AC is the defending state champion here. But the Rockets are a year wiser after last season's disappointing end, and behind Olivia Healy and Morgan O'Brien this team rattles off points in bunches. Pick: Reading

Division 3 North
Pentucket (20-4) vs. Ipswich (18-4)
Win or lose, this is a major step forward for the Ipswich program under head coach Mandy Zegarowski. Unfortunately, their reward is running into the Pentucket machine. Sachems are rolling on defense, allowing just 28 points per game in the playoffs with an average margin of victory of 27 points. So tell me...what's new? Pick: Pentucket

Division 1 South
Franklin (21-2) vs. Braintree (21-2)
Led by senior Paige Marshall, Braintree is playing arguably the state's most inspired defense. Consider the Wamps allowed just eight points -- that's eight points total -- in their first-round win, and are allowing just 22.6 points per game and the playoffs. Will that be enough for Catie Phelan to overcome, or are the defensive stats misleading? Pick: Braintree

Division 2 South
Scituate (23-0) vs. Natick (18-5)
Will Lady Luck run out on Natick, or are the Red and Blue better than we projected? Either way, this is one tough Scituate squad they're about to encounter. The Lady Sailors haven't allowed an opponent to get out of the 30's in nearly a month, and routinely pick up 40 or more rebounds a game. Pick: Scituate

Division 3 South
Archbishop Williams (20-5) vs. Fairhaven (21-2)
Kara Charette will get her points for Fairhaven, but we have to wonder if it it will be enough to overcome Archies' size, which is among the state's biggest. The Bishops are green, but talented, and are playing some terrific defense right now. Pick: Archbishop Williams

Division 1 Central
Holy Name (22-0) vs. Wachusett (17-5)
After some close calls, Holy Name's magical season lives on. The Mountaineers might be Holy Name's toughest opponent to date, and are one of the region's longest. Look for the Naps to key on Bri Schnare and Shannon Holt. Pick: Wachusett

Division 2 Central
Tyngsborough (21-1) vs. Nashoba (20-2)
The top two seeds of this bracket go head-to-head, and it's hard to tell which team has been more dominant so far. The Tigers, who have allowed just 30 points a game in this bracket; or Nashoba, which has had an easier path but has won each game by double-digits. Probably can't go wrong with this one. Pick: Tyngsborough

Division 3 Central
Sutton (19-4) vs. Hopedale (18-4)
Another matchup that is even on paper. But when you knock off Quaboag, that's big points in my book. Pick: Sutton

Division 1 West
Holyoke (20-2) vs. Longmeadow (15-7)
5-foot-2 point guard Monique Heard is the most exciting player nobody in Eastern Mass. is talking about, and a potential Super Team candidate for Holyoke. I like a good story as much as the next scribe. Let's keep this one rolling. Pick: Holyoke

Division 2 West
Mahar (21-1) vs. Palmer (18-4)
Another matchup pitting the bracket's top two seeds against one another. Mahar has survived some gutsy close calls to get here, but beware of Palmer's stingy defense, which is allowing 32 points per game. Pick: Mahar

Division 3 West
Lenox (18-4) vs. Sabis (19-5)
Sabis no doubt has revenge on its mind -- and some unfinished business -- after coming up short in this bracket last year following a dominant regular season. But any time you knock off Lee -- the region's top seed, and the golden standard for Western Mass. small-school basketball since the 1980's -- that's big points in my book. Pick: Lenox

BROCKTON, Mass. -- Stoughton's star point guard Aaron Calixte said before the game that losing wasn’t an option. His performance showed just how serious he was.

The junior poured in 22 points, and added eight assists and three steals, to lead the No. 4 seed Black Knights to a 68-42 victory over Hockomock league rival and ninth seeded Oliver Ames, in a Division 2 South semifinal at Brockton High.

“He’s pretty good,” Stoughton head coach John Gallivan joked. “He’s the kind of guy when he gets the ball, it’s kind of an ‘Uh-oh, who has to go guard him?’ When we spread the floor like that, it’s a tough match up for anybody.”

After a back-and-forth first quarter, Calixte’s partner-in-crime Marcus Middleton scored a quick five points to push Stoughton ahead 18-13 entering the second stanza. Calixte then took over with 10 points, outscoring the entire OA team himself.

The Black Knights received a career night from senior Antonio “Nuke” Ferreira, who put up 16 points (10 in the first quarter) and 15 rebounds -- 10 of which came on the offensive glass. Both totals were career highs. He also added four blocks.

“He got his points when we were having trouble getting them,” Gallivan said. “He gave us some room to breathe and to catch our breath and get out legs under us, and that was huge.”

The two rivals split the season series with each team winning on their home court and the Tigers with the victory in the second meeting –- something Gallivan thought was beneficial, saying the loss was “possibly” a blessing in disguise.

“It’s hard,” Gallivan said of beating a team on the third game. “It’s hard to beat a team in our league two times.”

Oliver Ames head skipper Don Byron said his team was used to scoring in the 60-point range, and credited the Black Knight defense on how they played. Gallivan also credited his team’s defensive adjustments from the two teams’ prior meeting as a key.

“One was to stop their sideline break which killed us last game,” Gallivan said. “The other thing was in their man-to-man sets, we had trouble with some of their flex stuff. We paid a lot more attention to detail on that. I thought we did a much better job tonight.

“Defense was the main focus all week. Last time we played them, they scored more points against us than anyone had all season. We just made a commitment to defense.”

Bruha Goes Out Fighting: Oliver Ames senior captain and 1,000-point scorer Nick Bruha didn’t get off to the best start, but he made sure he finished the game -- and his high school career -- strong.

Off a combination of cold shooting and solid defense from Middleton, Bruha entered halftime with just one field goal and a total of 4 points. There was no quit in the guard, who dropped 14 in the second half to finish out his last game in orange with 18 points.

“It’s going to be real odd not to have him in the gym,” Byron said. “He’s been running the team. When I came, he was a sophomore and he started every game for three years.”

In traditional fashion, Bruha found success in a number of ways, including his aggressive drives to the hoop and his three-point game.

“The next time I walk into the gym, he won’t be there,” Byron added. “I remember Nick as a five-year-old kid. He had a terrific career, a tremendous career.”

A Rivalry Continued: The semifinals matchup between these two Hockomock Davenport Division rivals was just another chapter in the storied history between these schools. With their home courts separated by less than seven miles, these kids have grown up playing with and against each other.

“This rivalry is history and it’s epic,” Gallivan said. “Every time we play, there’s a story, and tonight obviously went our way. There was no telling going into this game what was going to happen.”

As soon as each of these teams won last week, they each eagerly tried to find out if their rival would be their next opponent. When they did, the hype began. And when it was all said it done, with Stoughton putting their mark on this chapter, it was hard to describe how it felt for Ferreira.

“I can’t, it’s like unexplainable,” he said. “And plus we’re going to the finals. It’s crazy.”

Role Players Fill in Nicely With the attention normally focused in on Calixte and Middleton, Ferreira stepped in nicely, but he wasn’t the only one. Junior Steffan Jackson -- who missed the majority of the teams’ second meeting, and the following three weeks -- grabbed 13 rebounds (6 offensive) and added two blocks.

“Steffan missed the last time against these guys,” Gallivan said. “That’s the big part of our team. He’s been the missing link the last couple of games. Having him back is huge.”

Stoughton also saw sophomore Mike Gallagher and senior Raymond Bowdre come in throughout the game and play an important part. Gallagher got an offensive rebound and floated in a runner to put the Black Knights up by 11 in the second and then went on to hit a three at the buzzer of the third quarter.

Up Next: Stoughton will now play Hopkinton High in the D2 South Finals on Saturday at UMass-Boston's Clark Athletic Center. The Hillers are coming off a thrilling 64-62 win over Wellesley tonight in the other D2 South semifinal, at Taunton High.

And in case we need another reminder that Hopkinton is the defending D2 South champ, they knocked out No. 2 seed and would-be state title contender King Philip in the quarterfinals.

Every year, there is that one player who explodes onto the scene in the MIAA boys basketball tournament and puts many a college scout on notice.

Last year, it was 6-foot-8 Jake Layman leading King Philip to its most successful season in history and a surprise appearance in the Division 2 South final, before signing with Maryland last November and leading the Warriors to a 17-3 campaign this year. Before him, it was Pat Connaughton, averaging nearly a 20-20 in the 2010 playoffs for St. John's Prep before signing with Notre Dame in two sports and delivering the Eagles their first state title last March. And before him, it was Central Catholic's 6-foot-11 stud Carson Desrosiers, a nightly triple-double threat with three-point range who led the Raiders to two state titles in three seasons before moving on to Wake Forest.

Who is the next Jake Layman, Pat Connaughton or Carson Desrosiers? Below are 11 underclassmen that could fit the bill and why. As always, the names of opposing coaches questioned for comment are withheld. ESPN analyst and New England Recruiting Report founder Adam Finkelstein also weighs in with additional comments.

NOTE: We had Central Catholic's Tyler Nelson and New Mission's Nate Anderson on this list last year, with high praise, and so for that reason we're excluding them this time around.

JALEN ADAMS, MELROSE
6-1, Soph. G
Why he matters: One of several players on this list to first build hype after a good run with nationally-recognized AAU powerhouse Boston Amateur Basketball Club (BABC), Adams is considered the total package by some. With his combination of court vision and athleticism, Adams is a nightly threat averaging 20.7 points per game. The Boston native navigated the Red Raiders through a tough Middlesex League field, winning the the Small division and earning a No. 2 seed in Division 2 North at 18-2.
What opposing coaches are saying: “He’s competitive, I think his strength is his court vision. He’s explosive, he can get to rim, and I think one of his other big strengths is that he can defend at a high level...I think Jalen is the most talented point guard in the state of Massachusetts. He’s got a bright future in front of him. He has unbelievable spring in his step and gets off the floor quick. He can shoot the three, he can get by you quickly, he’ll dunk in traffic, and when he wants be a great defender there isn’t anyone that can get by him...He’s just like Shabazz Napier was as a sophomore at Charlestown. That’s honestly who I’d compare him to...When he wants to, he can defend –- he is a five-tool player. Out of all of them, he’s a five-tool kid because he’s quick, he can score, he can shoot off the bounce, and he hits his free throws.”
ESPN’s Adam Finkelstein: "Adams has a variety of tools that can't be taught. First he has all the physical tools being long, quick, and athletic. Secondly, he's got an instinctive knack for making plays with the ball in his hands. Put the two together, the type of plays he's able to make help his game to translate well to the next level. He still needs to shoot the ball more consistently and potentially learn to be more of a point guard given his size."

BRUCE BROWN, WAKEFIELD
6-3, Fr. F
Why he matters: The Warriors' return to prominence has been one of the nicer stories in D2 North. And while there are some talented upperclassmen taking the lead role, Brown's presence (13.6 points per game) has been just as integral -- odd that we're saying that about a freshman, right? Brown is already drawing considerable hype following some play with the BABC, and he's drawn comparisons to other BABC swingmen like Charlestown's Tyrese Hoxter of Tilton (N.H.) super soph Wayne Selden. An explosive rebounder with great hops, Brown could be the X-factor in D2 North.
Opposing coaches: “The first thing that sticks out is his ability to defend. The second thing I like about him is his ability -– again, like Jalen [Adams] -– to get all the way to the rim. He has a chance to play at a high level of Division 1 if you were to ask me right now...Bruce Brown might be like Tyrese Hoxter 2.0 -– for real. They’re the same player. He struggle with his jump shot, OK, but he really attacks the open floor, and he wants to win. The difference between him and Tyrese is his IQ, but he could be Tyrese right now in a year...He’s a super athlete, he dunks everything. He is a man among boys, but he also is super competitive. That is one competitive [expletive] kid. He hates to lose.”
Finkelstein: "He's just a youngster as a freshman, but you love his physical upside. Given a few years to continue to develop and polish his skill set, and this guy has all the requisite tools to develop into a very good prospect. He plays above the rim at a young age, has the type of frame that appears poised to evolve into a great body, and plenty of burst both with his first step as well as his leaping ability."

AARON CALIXTE, STOUGHTON
5-11, Jr. G
Why he matters: Already a household name in the minds of many, this could be Calixte's defining month in MIAA basketball. He's considered the state's top point guard by some, and hasn't done anything to disprove that, going off for 20 to 25 points on a nightly basis after garnering hype over the offseason with the New England Playaz AAU program. One of several players on this list with football prowess, his athleticism makes him a matchup problem on the offensive end. Combined with tenacious two-way guard Marcus Middleton, the Black Knights might have the best backcourt in the state. Calixte currently averages 18.6 points per game, and holds offers from Towson and Quinnipiac.
Opposing coaches: “As a passer I think he’s phenomenal, I think that’s his best skill. Really good players just score, great players make other people around them better, and that’s truly his gift. When he goes out there and sees essentially two people guard him at all times –- one face-guarding, and another stationary for help –- instead of forcing a score, he has the uncanny knack to find the open man...Aaron’s that kind of kid. He’s the kind of kid that, if I were a kid, I’d like to play with. He plays extremely hard...I’ve been watching him since sixth grade. Solid, solid, solid, strong and understands the game. More than anything else, I think he’s got great character.”
Finkelstein: "Calixte really started to show signs last summer of being able to take his game to that next level. Most guards create their offense going north to south in the open floor, but Calixte is the rare player who can break his man down from a standstill in the quarter court. He's got a quick first step and a super strong core in order to absorb contact all the way to the rim. He's another though who must shoot it better and learn the nuances of the point guard position."

NICK CAMBIO, CENTRAL CATHOLIC
6-5, Soph. F
Why he matters: He's not even the most prolific forward for the 20-1 Raiders -- that would full unto juniors Joel Berroa and Doug Gemmell. But coaches rave about Cambio's upside, with a game befitting a typical stretch-four forward at the college level. He can dust it up inside, but also has three-point range, as dangerous on the pick-and-roll as pick-and-pop. Lately, he's been saving his best performances for the most clutch moments -- see his winning play in the Raiders' 58-57 thriller over St. John's Prep, slipping behind the defense on a backdoor play and laying home a beautiful dish from Berroa.
Opposing coaches: “Nick is very talented. He has a great basketball body. Good length, and a good rebounder who can play inside and out. He plays the perimeter very well, and defensively he presses well. Great stroke, very good player...He’s a prototype face-up four guy, he can stretch out a lot of things. He’s very active and he’s got a high skill level too. You don’t see that in kid that young very often...Big, active, skilled, there’s not a whole lot not to like about his game. He’s kind of unique in the fact that he plays both inside and out, especially at this level for his age. You don’t see that a lot. The system he’s in has him playing mostly inside, but I know he can shoot and do a lot of different things. He’s definitely a unique type of player.”
Finkelstein: "He's a big forward with a smooth perimeter skill set, and that's a prototype you're finding more and more in the college game these days. Ten years ago every college program was playing with three perimeter players, but now both forwards play on the perimeter with four guys around a single post. That makes guys like Cambio all the more coveted at that level, especially if he's able to add a couple inches to his frame."

ISSHIAH COLEMAN, NEW MISSION
6-5, Jr. F
Why he matters: Nicknamed "Plastic Man" by his own head coach, Coleman is the spark plug in the paint for a green but talented Titans squad. The defending D2 champs have had their ups and downs this season, but one of the most consistent performers has been Coleman. A menacing shot-swatter with a 38-inch vertical leap, Coleman is known for his high energy and seemingly endless bounce in his step, swaying momentum with a block or dunk. This season, he is averaging 15 rebounds and eight blocks.
Opposing coaches: “Solid, solid player. 6-foot-5, has a 38-inch vertical, definite high-D2 player I think due to, you know, I don’t think he’s going to cap off at 6-7, 6-8 or anything. But come on, he is a monster down there. Just a monster...He is a human pogo stick. I saw a block where he jumped over a kid. His athleticism is just stupid. His vertical is absolutely ridiculous.”
Finkelstein: "Again, Coleman has the requisite physical tools you look for in a prospect for the next level. He's long and cut with easy bounce. His dexterity around the rim is also impressive as he's a guy who can dunk the basketball with both hands in the course of a play. He's got signs of skill that show through his bursts of athleticism, and he'll need to continue to develop that area of his game for the next level."

DARIEN FERNANDEZ, WAREHAM
5-7, Jr. G
Why he matters: From his halfcourt buzzer-beater that made SportsCenter's Top Plays, to his near-quadruple-double against Old Rochester last month, the junior waterbug point guard has been in fifth gear all season. With a stocky running back's frame built low to the ground (think Ray Rice or Maurice Jones-Drew), Fernandez is as physical as they come on both ends of the floor, charging through the lane fearlessly or harrassing players around the floor down at the other end. He's the biggest reason why the Vikings are the state's last remaining unbeaten, averaging 25 points a game to go along with nine assists and eight rebounds. He is also drawing low Division 1 interest in both football and basketball.
Opposing coaches: “Love that kid, love him. I would love to see him and Aaron [Calixte] play against each other. He has a lot of the same traits as player. I don’t know if he’s quite the passer Aaron is, but I know defensively he’s better than Aaron is. He really gets after it on the ball...Against Cardinal Spellman, he dominated. It’s four categories with him –- points, rebounds, assists, steals –- and he plays really hard...That’s a nightmare matchup for us. He gave us a whole bunch of problems. He’s quick, he’s tough, he’s got a will, he’s got intestinal fortitude. But Darien, do me a favor: You are a football player. Enjoy this basketball, but take that scholarship for football, will you?”
Finkelstein: "His ability to create offense for both himself and his teammates makes him one of the most dependable playmaking guards in all of the MIAA. He's a little undersized but he knows how to utilize his physical tools to his advantage -- he's like a bulldog guard who plays lower to the ground than the competition and is able to get under defenders with his great core strength."

TYRESE HOXTER, CHARLESTOWN
6-3, Jr. G/F
Why he matters: In just two seasons with the Charlestown varsity, Hoxter has scored 760 points. And that's with playing second fiddle last season to All-Stater Akosa Maduegbunam, who is finishing at Winchendon and is expected to sign with Penn State. The hype with Hoxter started last summer after some nice runs with the BABC, and he's more than lived up to the billing. He's averaging 20.9 points, 8.3 rebounds and 3.1 assists for the 16-4 Townies, and has established himself as one of the state's top pure scorers. The Townies have had their ups and downs, but Hoxter has been the constant driving the engine.
Opposing coaches: “Come on, come on, get me on record with this one, please. Listen, let me tell you something, I saw him when he was a sixth-grader at Edwards Middle School. I told everybody in the city, [he’s a] bona fide Division 1 basketball player. Best player there is right now. There’s not a better public high school player in the state. Forget about it, he’s the best player running around. Mid to high-major player in my mind...He’s better than Akosa Maduegbunam was last year. Akosa’s got more of a jump shot, but this kid’s cerebral, he’s very intelligent, he’s got the whole nine. He doesn’t look athletic, but he’s athletic as hell and if he ever stood straight up he’d be 6-foot-5...Out of everybody, he’s the one player that could make a bad team good team instantly, besides Jake Layman. If you put him on a team like, say for instance, Arlington, they wouldn’t be a .500 team -– they’d win the Middlesex League. You play zone against him, and he’ll get you before it even sets up. Man, he’ll dribble up the left side of the court and go right the whole time.”
Finkelstein: "He's another guy who really started to prove himself against a high level of competition during the last AAU season and appears poised to make an even bigger name for himself this spring and summer. As an athletic southpaw, he creates all kinds of mismatches, and is equally dangerous on the defensive end where his length and quickness make him a tremendous asset in run-and-jump situations."

MALIK JAMES, BRIGHTON
6-1, Soph. G
Why he matters: Hugh Coleman's turnaround with the Bengals' program has been one of the nicest stories of the season, and James is one of several playmaking guards spearheading the movement. His creativity has coaches around the Boston City League raving, and his averages (15 points, 10 assists, five rebounds) back up the assertion. He's been hampered by an ankle injury since the Acton-Boxborough loss two weeks ago, so we'll see how he does going forward.
Opposing coaches: “Rajon Rondo of the BPS, that’s all he is. Rajon Rondo of the City League, that’s it. Flat out player. Low-D1 player...He’s pretty explosive, that kid. Good spring in his step, and he plays the game above the rim. He can go inside-out, too –- he is not afraid to mix it up inside.”
Finkelstein: "What I like about James is that while he has shown he can be the scorer and playmaker that his team needs to win games at the high school level, he shows some flashes of having the feel for the game and basketball intellect that it will take to play the point guard position at the next level, in terms of his court vision and being able to play the pick and roll."

JAMEILEN JONES, BC HIGH
6-3, Jr. G
Why he matters: The Eagles are one of the most dangerous teams headed into the D1 South tournament, and one of the biggest reasons is Jones' scoring ability and game IQ. An athletic off-guard who is aggressive without ever looking rattled, he is one of the Catholic Conference's most difficult players to mark. While the Eagles keep the scoring low, it's Jones making many of the team's clutch shots from the field. Defensively, he's a cornerstone of head coach Bill Loughnane's vaunted 1-3-1 scheme, and is a big reason why the Eagles are allowing under 48 points per game.
Opposing coaches: “Very athletic, very athletic. I know there’s rumblings about him transferring to prep school, but he’s a smart kid and I know he can get an Ivy League spot coming directly out of BC High. I think the Ivy League would be perfect for him...He’s very good. He’s another one of those spring-in-his-step guys. He’s off the ground twice before most kids even get off the ground once. He has good range from outside, he’s extremely athletic getting to the rim, and he’s way above rim when he plays...I think Jameilen Jones is the best one-on-one defender out of everybody left. Easily, too.”
Finkelstein: "Jones is another player who separates himself from the competition by virtue of his physical tools. He's a big wing by MIAA standards, with a devastating combination of power and explosiveness, that is supplemented by a good motor and unselfish floor game. Not unlike others on this list, he has a tendency to get stuck in first gear and will need to expand his half-court skill set before arriving at the next level."

COLIN RICHEY, WHITINSVILLE CHRISTIAN
6-2, Jr. G
Why he matters: In the Crusaders Division 3 state championship campaign last season, they were able to rely on a slew of long upperclassmen, led by 6-foot-9 All-State center Hans Miersma. This season, with all those kids graduated, it has been Richey's team to guide. Whitinsville is a much shorter team by its own standards, but there hasn't been much drop-off. He leads the Crusaders in scoring at 18.4 points per game, and has them penned as a favorite in D3 once again.
Opposing coaches: “He’s great, kind of a throwback-type player, with a little bit of city ball in him as well. He reminds me of Jimmy Chitwood from the movie ‘Hooisers’, he shoots the heck out of it. But he’s also got a little bit of ‘The Professor’ from the And-1 Mixtape Tour in him –- know what I mean? Great handle. He’s a great player, I enjoy watching him...Every team wishes they had a kid like him. He’s not scared. He wants to get 30 points, but at the same time he wants to make sure he’s the guy that makes the team win -– that’s not selfish, in my opinion...When they lose, he looks like he’s ready to go back into the gym and start taking jump shots immediately. He wants to be good so bad, that it makes rest of his team look good.”
Finkelstein: “The high school game is dominated by guards, most of whom make their impact with their ability to score the ball. Richey can do the same, but what separates him from others is the fact that he's a pure point guard, and that's going to make him especially valuable long-term. He comes with all the intangibles a coach looks for in their floor leader, and has also seen his body evolve quite a bit in the last year.”

KAMARI ROBINSON, SPRINGFIELD CENTRAL
6-5, Jr. F
Why he matters: Another player who first got noticed with the BABC, Robinson hasn't been the brightest star for the newly-anointed No. 1 Golden Eagles -- that would be senior Tyrell Springer -- but his importance goes without saying. With a game similar to that of Brockton senior center Sayvonn Houston, and a threat for a nightly double-double Robinson is a physical player underneath, bringing enough attention inside to facilitate spacing and open looks for the Eagles' talented stable of wing players.
Opposing coaches: “I had the opportunity to watch him when he played for Leo Papile [with BABC]. Very tough, very tough. I think his upside is tremendous, just huge...If he was playing out here [Boston area] he’d be compared to some of the top players in the state. For him, out of all the Central kids he’s probably the biggest game-changer. Playing with an elite scorer like Tyrell Springer helps too…You see a lot of man-to-man in Western Mass., and because of Springer he doesn’t get double-teamed as much so he can go off on people. He’s unassuming sort of, but he kills people...I feel like Springfield kids have that competitiveness to them, that fire, you know? But because of who he plays with, he’s the glue of that team.”
Finkelstein: “He's an explosive athlete -- quick off his feet, able to play high above the rim, rise up for pull-ups, and even muscle through contact with a chiseled frame. Combine that with his good size for the wing positions and he's got all the physical tools college coaches look for and require for the next level. He's still got to learn to slow down at times and continue to polish his skill set, but the base is there to be a strong prospect for the next level."


Others to watch
Drew Belcher, Soph. F, Reading
Joel Berroa, Jr. F, Central Catholic
Jaylen Blakely, Jr. G, Brockton
Sam Bohmiller, Jr. G, Franklin
Greg Bridges, Fr. G, New Mission
Jimmy Campbell, Fr. G, Hamilton-Wenham
Stephen Carangelo, Jr. G, Lynnfield
Derek Collins, Jr. G, North Andover
Marcos Echevarria, Fr. G, St. John’s Prep
Daivon Edwards, Jr. G, Brighton
Michael Hershman, Soph. G, Mansfield
Brendan Hill, Fr. F, Mansfield
Connor McLeod, Jr. G, Needham
Marcus Middleton, Jr. G, Stoughton
Tommy Mobley, Fr. G, Newton North
Dakim Murray, Jr. F, Madison Park
Isaiah Nelsen, Jr. F, North Andover
Max Nesbit, Jr. G, Manchester-Essex
Mick Snowden, Soph. G, Fitchburg
Tyree Weston, Fr. F, New Bedford
Taris Wilson, Soph. G, Charlestown

We updated the MIAA Boys Basketball Top 25 poll over the weekend, and once again we have a fresh face at the top spot.

Springfield Central takes over the reigns at No. 1 following Brockton's startling loss to Charlestown at last week's Comcast IAABO Board 27 Tournament. It was a debatable decision when weighing No. 2 Central Catholic's strength of schedule -- the Raiders had just snuck by St. John's Prep at the last second, for instance -- but it is hard to overlook just how well-oiled a machine the Golden Eagles look right now. It's been nearly a month since Central last won by only single-digits.

Brockton falls to No. 5 following the Charlestown loss, while the Townies leapfrog the Boxers to No. 4 and Acton-Boxborough reaches its highest position ever at No. 3.

Franklin is the other big mover this week, jumping up 14 spots to No. 10 following an impressive week of wins over Stoughton, Whitinsville Christian and Catholic Memorial. Needham also jumps into the poll at No. 15 following a 30-point blowout of Newton North and another impressive win over Stoughton.

This will be the final time we update the poll until after the conclusion of the MIAA Tournament. Look for the final MIAA Top 25 poll on the Monday following the state championship games.

As always, let us know how we're doing in the comments section below or by emailing Brendan Hall at bhall@espnboston.com

Seedings for the MIAA boys and girls' basketball tournament will be unveiled on Friday, and starting on Monday we'll have you covered nightly from the first tip-off though the state finals in mid-March at the DCU Center in Worcester. On Monday, we'll have a full breakdown of each bracket, with predictions, as well as my annual column highlighting the state's top players poised to burst onto the scene with strong playoff performances.

To whet your appetite, here's who I've penned as the bona fide favorites in boys Divisions 1 through 4, and why.

NOTE: Records are through Tuesday night.

DIVISION 1

Springfield Central
Record: 19-1
District: West
Players to watch: Tyrell Springer, Sr. G/F; Kamari Robinson, Jr. F; Jevaughn McMilian, Sr. F; Lee Turner, Sr. G; Chris Prophet, Sr. G; Trevor Bacon, Sr. F; Cornelius Tyson, Jr. G.
The lowdown: Some are calling this Springfield’s best chance at a state title since Commerce beat a Jeff Adrien-led Brookline squad for the 2004 D1 title. The record speaks for itself, and the Golden Eagles appear to be hitting their peak at just the right time –- witness Monday’s 40-point thrashing of Commerce. Their lone blemish is a six-point loss at last month's Hoophall Classic to a Windsor (Conn.) squad that is ranked No. 2 in the Nutmeg State, and whose average margin of victory is 34.4 points per game. Springer has emerged as one of the state’s elite swingmen, while the 6-foot-5 Robinson has had a breakout year manning the boards. Between Robinson, the 6-foot-6 Bacon, and 6-foot-7 shot swatter Jevaughn McMilian, the Eagles can truly go big like few other teams across Division 1.

Central Catholic
Record: 20-1
District: North
Players to watch: Tyler Nelson, Soph. G; Joel Berroa, Jr. F; Doug Gemmell, Jr. F; Nick Cambio, Soph. F; Lucas Hammel, Jr. G; Shawn McCoy, Sr. F; Henry Rodriguez, Sr. G.
The lowdown: What makes Central so dangerous is not its starting five, which can hang with anyone, but the amount of depth it brings to the table. The Raiders can legitimately go big with three true bigs, or small with a slew of guards and slashers. And they can all shoot the ball from deep. Also consider that the Raiders have done most of their damage without the state’s premier on-ball defender, Luis Puello. The senior guard took a month to get back to full strength after spraining his ankle in late December, and re-injured it two weeks ago; his timetable for recovery is unknown at this time.

Brockton
Record: 16-2
District: South
Players to watch: Jaylen Blakely, Jr. G; Jahleel Moise, Sr. F; Sayvonn Houston, Sr. C; Jamal Reuben, Sr. F; Will Baker, Sr. G; Jarrod Shelby, Sr. F
The lowdown: Depending on which team shows up, this is a team capable of running off points in a hurry (see: comeback wins over Catholic Memorial and New Bedford) or running themselves off the floor (see: Sunday's surprising 18-point loss to Charlestown). When everything is clicking, the Boxers are one of the state's deepest and most dangerous lineups, with all the requisite parts to work with -- an even-keeled distributor (Blakely), shooters (Reuben, Baker), shot-swatting slashers (Moise, Shelby), and a big-bodied true center that keeps the cycle going (Houston). The key is undoubtedly Houston, a nightly double-double machine with exceptional lower-body strength to fight through double-teams. When he is doing his part, the Brockton offense runs cleaner and crisper.

Charlestown
Record: 16-4
District: North
Players to watch: Tyrese Hoxter, Jr. G; Rony Fernandez, Sr. G; Omar Orriols, Sr. F; Tyrik Jackson, Sr. F; Iser Barnes, Sr. G; Taris Wilson, Soph. G
The lowdown: All nit-picks of Brockton aside, there is a reason the Townies didn’t qualify for City Championships –- they are the biggest enigma in Division 1 heading to the state tournament. This is one of the state’s most skilled starting lineups, but also one that could go all the way to the Garden floor or get knocked out in the first round. Hoxter, a lanky slasher with three-point range, is going to get his. Ditto for Jackson, a true post who can fill the lane. The X-factor might be how Fernandez and Orriols respond to pressure.

Catholic Memorial
Record: 16-3
District: South
Players to watch: Matt Droney, Sr. F; Dan Powers, Sr. F; Chris Siggers, Jr. G; Aahmane Santos, Soph. G, Armani Reeves, Sr. F; Gerard Adams, Soph. C
The lowdown: When the Catholic Conference champion Knights are running hitting their shots, few teams have been able to slow them down. Droney and Powers are known for their shooting, but can score in multiple ways going to the hoop. One of the more underrated components may lie in Reeves, an Ohio State football commit who often comes off the bench and provides stiff perimeter defense. And if they can get anything out of Adams –- a raw 6-foot-8, 300-pound lane-filler with limited mobility –- it would be a bonus.

BC High
Record: 14-5
District: South
Players to watch: Jameilen Jones, Jr. G; Charles Collins, Jr. G; Justin Roberts, Sr. F; Oderah Obukwelu, Sr. F
The lowdown: Few active coaches have had as much tournament success as Eagles coach Bill Loughnane, who won three D1 state titles at South Boston (1992, 1995-96) before coming down the road to Dorchester and leading the Eagles to their first D1 title in 2007. That’s just one of the main reasons we like BC’s chances in the postseason. The other main one is physicality -– Roberts and Obukwelu, two football stars, do the dirty work underneath, opening up the perimeter for Jones, one of the state’s elite scorers.

Others to watch: Acton-Boxborough (20-1), Andover (11-7), Barnstable (14-4), Boston Latin (16-5), East Boston (14-4), Franklin (16-4), Holy Name (17-3), Lawrence (13-5), Madison Park (15-2), Mansfield (12-7), Needham (15-5), Newton North (17-3), North Quincy (17-3), Springfield Cathedral (10-9), Springfield Commerce (14-5), St. John’s (Shrewsbury) (16-5), St. John’s Prep (11-7), St. Peter-Marian (17-4), West Springfield (16-3), Westford (17-4), Weymouth (17-3)

DIVISION 2

North Andover
Record: 19-1
District: North
Players to watch: Zach Karalis, Sr. G; Isaiah Nelsen, Jr. F; Brendan Miller, Soph. G; Derek Collins, Jr. G; Mike Moroney, Sr. F; John Miller, Sr. F
The lowdown: Everybody’s favorite little sleeper is suddenly the team to beat in the North district, after slowly building steam all of January and February. It starts with the WPI-bound Karalis, one of the district's smoothest shooters, and it continues down low where Nelsen and Moroney doing the dirty work. Man-to-man defenses beware: this is as surgical an offense as you'll find around, excelling at using screens to clear runways to the basket and create confusion. Defensively, the Knights' help defense has been very efficient, hedging off screens with the best of them.

King Philip
Record: 17-3
District: South
Players to watch: Jake Layman, Sr. F; John Mullane, Sr. F; Christian Fair, Sr. G; Mike Schmidt, Sr. G; Sam McDonald, Jr. F; Dever Carrison, Jr. F
The lowdown: Layman, a 6-foot-8 Maryland signee who is ranked the No. 61 overall senior by ESPNU, is more than capable of singularly taking a game over -- he's proven as much with his gaudy stats this year. But like the Pat Connaughton-led St. John's Prep squad last year, the Warriors' superstar needs consistency from the supporting cast each night for this team to survive. Perhaps it's encouraging, then, that the Warriors were able to stave off Oliver Ames last weekend without Layman in the lineup, getting a big night out of Mullane. Losing promising junior Tykei Hallman doesn't help matters, however.

Stoughton
Record: 16-4
District: South
Players to watch: Aaron Calixte, Jr. G; Marcus Middleton, Jr. G; Joe Bunce-Grenon, Jr. G; Steffan Jackson, Sr. F; Antonio Ferreira, Sr. F
The lowdown: The Black Knights aren't exactly backpedaling into the tournament, but they're not exactly in fifth gear either after losing two straight to Franklin and Needham, before holding off a 2-18 Walpole team to wrap up their regular season schedule. Calixte is arguably the state's most gifted -- and creative -- playmaker, capable of going off for 30 points on any given night, while Middleton has established himself as one of the state's premier perimeter defenders. This team fancies and uptempo style to combat its lack of size, but when teams go inside they are often met by the high-energy shot swatter Ferreira.

Brighton
Record: 15-3
District: North
Players to watch: Malik James, Soph. G; Theo Oribhabor, Jr. G; Prince Onaegbu, Jr. F; Daivon Edwards, Jr. G; Jerard Mayes, Sr. F.
The lowdown: The Bengals have stumbled since losing star sophomore Nick Simpson for the year due to academics, but we’ll have a much clearer idea of what the team is like without Simpson following this week's City Championships. Here's what we do know: Brighton can shoot with the best of them, and when Edwards' shot is falling he can take a load of pressure off of the distributor James. When pressing, the Bengals have shades of head coach Hugh Coleman's mentor, legendary Charlestown coach Jack O'Brien, scribbled all over them. With an athletic lineup, the Bengals take proper angles in the press and prefer to be the aggressor at all times.

New Mission
Record: 14-4
District: North
Players to watch: Isshiah Coleman, Jr. F, Nate Anderson, Jr. F; Leroy Hamilton, Sr. G/F; Percio Gomez, Jr. G/F; DaShawn Fennell, Jr. G/F; Shaquan Murray, Soph. G;
The lowdown: It's tough to get a read on the Titans, who have at once looked both brilliant and uninspiring thoughout the 2011-12 season. On one breath, they look deflated in a double-digit loss to Brighton, getting swept by a Boston City League team for the first time under head coach Cory McCarthy. In the next breath, they turn around a few days later and grind out a hard-fought win over one of Rhode Island's top teams, hot-shooting La Salle Academy. Mission won back-to-back state titles in 2010-11 with an overbearing physical presence, particularly around the rim. For them to make a three-peat, big men Coleman and Anderson will have to stay out of foul trouble and strike fear in the heart of the opposition early. This is a young, green squad saddled with big expectations on the heels of an unprecedented two-year run; but the Titans always turn it on come playoff time.

Falmouth
Record: 18-1
District: South
Players to watch: Andrew McGill, Jr. G; Damien Reid, Sr. G; Kyle Kaspryzk, Sr. F; Nate Steele, Sr. F
The lowdown: One of the most unsung coach jobs this year has to be that of Lundberg, who has this team riding a 16-game win streak after some question marks clouded them with the graduation of Nelson Baptiste and John Lavin. Two years ago the Clippers torched Salem on the Garden floor for the D2 EMass title, and running the point was little-known freshman McGill. He may still look like a freshman two years later, but his savvy on the court has kept the win streak alive. And yet question marks still surround Falmouth: Kasprzyk, one of the Clippers' few true posts, went down with an ankle injury in a 54-53 win over Barnstable.

Others to watch: Beverly (13-5), Groton-Dunstable (14-6), Hopkinton (15-5), Lynn Classical (11-9), Masconomet (12-5), Medfield (14-6), Melrose (16-2), Northbridge (16-4), Oliver Ames (12-8), Quabbin (17-3), Randolph (16-2), Reading (15-5), Salem (11-8), South Hadley (11-8), St. Bernard’s (11-10), Wakefield (14-6)

DIVISION 3

Whitinsville Christian
Record: 13-5
District: Central
Players to watch: Colin Richey, Jr. G; Tyler VandenAkker, Sr. F; Jesse Dykstra, Sr. F; Grant Brown, Jr. G/F; Antonio Estrella, Jr. F
The lowdown: This isn't the same Crusaders team of 2011, which was considered one of the state's tallest lineups, led by 6-foot-9 All-Stater Hans Miersma. No, this is quite a departure from typical WC teams, but it's still a well-oiled machine. Richey grabs most of the headlines for his shooting ability and high game IQ, but it's the surgery of its zone offense that makes WC a tough out. Never flashy, always making the extra pass for a higher-percentage look, the Crusaders will frustrate any team looking to play uptempo basketball. The Crusaders have sputtered lately, losing four of their last five after starting off 12-1; but factoring in the dearth of upper-echelon Division 3 squads in the Central and West brackets, they have to be a favorite to return to the DCU Center floor next month.

Cardinal Spellman
Record: 17-5
District: South
Players to watch: Joey Glynn, Sr. F; Rickey Donovan, Sr. F; Joey Crane, Soph. G; Paul Preziosi, Jr. G; Mike Downing, Sr. G.
The lowdown: With the Bentley-bound Glynn back in the fold, the defending South Sectional champs were considered a preseason favorite in D3. After sputtering out to a 4-3 start, the Cards are rolling, having won 10 of 11 before dropping a 71-54 decision to Whitinsville Christian on Monday. Like several other contenders with star power, the Cards can rely on Glynn filling the stat sheet every game, facilitating for players like Donovan and Crane to put in their buckets. With Wareham assured the No. 1 seed in the South, some are predicting a rematch between the Spellman and the Vikings; Wareham won their last meeting on Jan. 8, 80-72.

Wareham
Record: 20-0
District: South
Players to watch: Darien Fernandez, Jr. G; Jeff Houde, Sr. F; Tyler Gomes, Sr. F; Aaron Baptiste, Sr. F
The lowdown: Not a ton of size with the Vikings, but that hasn't stopped them from running off another unblemished run through the South Coast Conference and wrapping up their sixth straight league title. Two years ago the Vikings went run-and-gun en route to their first state title since 1977, and that style has paid dividends again this season. It all starts with Fernandez, a 5-foot-7 waterbug with a running back's build who can score from anywhere on the floor, and is fearless going to the hoop. Like some other running teams on this list, staying out of foul trouble will be paramount.

Danvers
Record: 17-3
District: North
Players to watch: George Merry, Sr. C; Nick McKenna, Jr. G; Nick Bates, Jr. F; Eric Martin, Jr. G; Jon Amico, Sr. G.
The lowdown: The Falcons were a preseason favorite in the North, and have done little to prove otherwise. Keying Danvers has been a stout defense allowing 44 points per game and led i the middle by Merry, who at 6-foot-7 is more than just a big body to fill the lane. Merry gets end to end quickly, and can step out on the perimeter and facilitate for the team's best perimeter players. When drawing double teams, it's essentially time to pick your poison.

Martha’s Vineyard
Record: 18-2
District: South
Players to watch: Peter Keaney, Sr. F; Jack Roberts, Jr. G; Izak Browne, Sr. G; Del Araujo, Sr. F; Charlie Everett, Sr. F.
The lowdown: Maybe it’s because being on an island makes them difficult to scout to begin with, but the Islanders always seem to sneak up on people come tournament time. It doesn’t hurt that they’re talented from the inside out, with Keaney and Araujo grabbing tough boards as well as facilitating some motion when stepping out on the perimeter. Overall, the Vineyarders are a quality offensive rebounding team that can quickly run off points in bunches

Others to watch: Arlington Catholic (14-5), Bishop Feehan (15-4), Norton (15-5), Norwell (17-2), Rockland (18-2), Watertown (6-14), Wayland (15-5), Whittier (17-1)

DIVISION 4

St. Mary’s (Lynn)
Record: 16-6
District: North
Players to watch: Nick Gagliolio, Sr. F; Tommy Deveau, Jr. G; Rudolf Thurman, Soph. G; Matt Manning, Jr. F;
The lowdown: The Spartans might have caught the entire state's full attention after losing to defending D1 state champ St. John's Prep by two in overtime, and the rest of the way they've carried that momentum -- punctuated again by another last-second loss to Prep late last week. Gagliolo is the top scoring option for the Spartans, but the X-factor going forward will be the health of Thurman, who injured his shoulder in that Prep win and was unavailable in their loss to Boston Cathedral on Friday.

Winthrop
Record: 15-5
District: North
Players to watch: Quinton Dale, Sr. F; Joe D’Amore, Sr. G; Joshawa Babb, Jr. G; Ervin DeJesus, Jr. F; Jeff Laguerre, Sr. G.
The lowdown: Defending D4 state champs are cruising again, finishing the regular season strong by reeling off six wins in seven games. For all the talk of Danvers in the Northeastern Conference, the Vikings swept them in the regular season to win the Conference's South division outright. The one to pay attention to with Winthrop is Dale, athletic and long for his 6-foot-3 frame and one of the Conference's better rebounders.

Boston Cathedral
Record: 13-6
District: South
Players to watch: Carlos Bermudez, Sr. G; Joe Green, Sr. F; Kyle Lawyer, Sr. F; Curtis Howe, Sr. G; Anthony Bell, Sr. F
The lowdown: Lawyer and Green are back after missing some time away from the team, which means the Panthers are to be taken seriously once again. This isn't a squad known for its size, but when we tell you Bermudez is one of the more exciting players to watch in the South district we're not kidding. Listed at 5-foot-4 and gifted with speed and stocky frame, this distributor is dangerous in the open court. Lawyer and Green are the top scoring options, able to go off for 20 a night.

Manchester-Essex
Record: 18-2
District: North
Players to watch: Chris Bishop, Sr. G; Joe Burgess, Sr. G; Sean Nally, Sr. F; Max Nesbit, Sr. G; Taylor Ketchum, Sr. F; Casey Weld, Sr. G.
The lowdown: One of state’s best basketball minds, Duane Sigsbury, is at it again. Last season, the Hornets ran their offense through 2011 ESPN Boston All-Stater Joe Mussachia, and were unafraid to use all 85 feet of the floor to push the tempo. This season they've sped things up even more, and are one of the state's highest-scoring offenses (77 points per game). The player to watch with this squad is Bishop, the Cape Ann League's MVP, a 20-per-night scorer who slashes through the lanes and has hit as many as six 3-pointers in a game.

Others to watch: Avon (12-8), Bishop Connolly (16-6), Cape Cod Academy (17-3), Carver (16-4), Cohasset (15-5), Mystic Valley (17-3), Pope John XXIII (18-4), Snowden (8-9), Westport (17-3)

Franklin head coach Dean O'Connor passes along this year's boys basketball All-Stars for the Hockomock League.

Any all-star lists can be sent to either Brendan Hall (bhall@espnboston.com) or Scott Barboza (sbarboza@espnboston.com)

MVP - Jake Layman, Sr., King Philip
J.J. Jolaoso, Sr., Attleboro
Joe McCabe, Sr., Canton
Sam Bohmiller, Jr., Franklin
Joe Palazini, Sr., Franklin
John Mullane, Sr., King Philip
Brian Hershman, Sr., Mansfield
Michael Hershman, Soph., Mansfield
Nick Bruha, Sr., Oliver Ames
Andrew Reardon, Jr., Oliver Ames
Brian Mukasa, Soph., Sharon
Aaron Calixte, Jr., Stoughton
Marcus Middleton, Jr., Stoughton

WALPOLE, Mass. -- For the second time in as many games, the Needham Rockets have knocked off a top 15 opponent.

After a 32-point victory over No. 6 Newton North last Thursday, Needham upset No. 11 Stoughton 53-49 in the first game of the Walpole Hoop Classic. Quite simply, the Rockets are playing their best basketball at the right time of the year.

“The Newton North game, senior night was excellent,” said Needham head coach Paul Liner. “I though we had great energy and the kids came out to play right from the beginning. There’s been some games where we kind of sit back and let things come to us, and I thing we’ve been the aggressor, gaining confidence and playing a complete game.”

The Rockets (14-5) were certainly the more aggressive team to start Sunday’s game verse Stoughton.

Junior forward Connor McLeod scored 16 of his game-high 26 points for the Rockets in the first quarter, boosting Needham to a 22-11 lead after the first.

The Black Knights (15-4) outscored the Rockets in the middle two quarters, holding Needham to just six points in the third quarter to tie it at 37 to start the final frame. However, Stoughton was held to just a 1 for 11 effort from the field in the fourth quarter.

Lanky D: The Rockets have a lot of size and length, which has helped them to hold opponents to just 46.7 points per game, the best defensive Record in the Bay State Conference.

“One of our game goals has been under 50,” said Liner. “We’ve been able to do that and holding teams to under 50 is really important.”

The big guys down low for Needham, Zach Nussbaum, Kevin Farley, John Madsen and Trevor Dow do a lot of the dirty work that won’t show up on stat sheets, but is vital for success. And they held Stoughton’s leading scorer Aaron Calixte to just six points on the evening.

“I knew we had three athletes that could play him really well, and he’s so dangerous with the ball.”

Another interesting matchup was Needham’s Shy Davis covering Stoughton’s Marcus Middleton.

Middleton finished with 12 points, but was held scoreless in the final quarter.

“He’s a great shooter,” Davis said of Middleton. “Marcus was a floater, so I just had to keep an eye on him. And I’m much taller and lankier than him so it was an easy cover.”

Needham will play Xaverian in the championship game of the Walpole tournament Monday at 7:45 at Walpole high school after the Hawks picked up their first win of the season 63-55 over the host’s Walpole.

FRANKLIN, Mass. -- "I don't know whoever said that third time thing," Franklin head coach Dean O'Connor laughed to reporters, moments after putting the finishing touches on this surprise season.

The first two times the Panthers squared off with Stoughton this season were forgettable ones. In their most recent meeting, last Feb. 2, the Black Knights came rocketing out of the gates, and quickly left Franklin in the dust en route to a 20-point win.

So tonight's result, a 69-56 win at Franklin High's Field House that captured the Hockomock League Cup, had to feel good. After coming into the season as a dark horse with question marks, the Kelly-Rex Division champs are thoroughly a thoroughbred.

"It's been crazy," junior point guard Sam Bohmiller (12 points) said of these last few weeks. "But I mean, it's a huge confidence boost. Winning the Hockomock against archrival Mansfield, we knocked off KP [King Philip] here, and now knocking off Stoughton, that's huge."

The matchups between the Panthers (14-4) and Stoughton have been intriguing each time for their contrast of style, with O'Connor countering John Gallivan's uptempo style with a surgical flex scheme from the other end of the basketball spectrum. And this time Franklin was the lead dog; they never trailed in this one, and turned in some of its most inspired defense of late to start the first half.

Franklin opened the second quarter with a 13-2 run to head into the break holding a 27-17 lead, essentially grinding Stoughton's affinity for an uptempo pace to a halt. A stout zone defense forced the Black Knights (15-3) into settling for low-percentage shots, and it reflected on the stat sheet -- the Black Knights shot just 6 for 25 in the first half, including 1 for 10 from three-point range.

As expected, the Knights made a run in the third quarter, hitting their first four 3-pointers, including two from Marcus Middleton (18 points). But it didn't make much of a dent in the Panthers' cushion of a lead; they returned the favor with three-balls from Matt Pellegri (17 points) and Joe Palazini (10).

Just how much did the Panthers slow the game down? Exhibit A might have been the final scoring sequence of the third quarter from Bohmiller, who called for a spread play, spacing players far apart from each other around the halfcourt to initiate dribble penetration. With 15 seconds left and just a few ticks on the shot clock, Palazini launched up a three that hit front iron, but senior forward Matt Pilis (14 rebounds) hauled in the long board and sent it back out to Bohmiller with another 15 seconds to work with.

From there, Bohmiller dribbled around the left wing before pulling up near the elbow, shaking his defender with a shot fake, and sinking a feathery 12-footer at the buzzer to make it 48-37.

"I trust him," O'Connor said of Bohmiller. "He'll make a good decision. He doesn't take very many bad shots, and he's such under control. You feel confident with it in his hands. He knows what we want, and he's going to do the right thing, so you can kind of let him go a little bit."

Marking Calixte: It's hardly the first time Stoughton's superstar junior point guard Aaron Calixte has seen a box-and-one defense this year, and hardly the last. Heck, tonight wasn't even the first time he'd seen it from the Panthers.

On most nights, Gallivan has countered the box-and-one defense by sending Calixte to the blocks and having him play with his back to the basket, often drawing repeated touch fouls from guards who aren't accustomed to post-up defense. Tonight, however, the Panthers stuck Pellegri on Calixte and had him dogging him around the court, with Perdikis periodically coming in to give him a break.

Calixte is in perpetual motion at times, and a difficult player to mark. But Pellegri was able to stay on the star point guard's hip most of the night, and while he ended up with respectable stats -- 12 points, on 4-of-9 from the field -- he was not a factor for some of the most integral stretches of the game.

"Pellegri, I mean, he does it to everybody," O'Connor said. "He's a great defender. He's a glue guy on our team. He makes it all happen, he's a great leader, he defends, and he scored the ball well tonight, too."

Pellegri said Calixte, who currently holds scholarship offers from Towson and Quinnipiac, is "much better than people think."

"He dishes the ball, and gets all his teammates involved," Pellegri said. "Second time we played them, they beat us pretty good, and he was dishing, so we wanted them to force the other guys to beat us.

"We just wanted to be physical with him, and not let him get into his groove. Because once he gets into his groove, the whole team starts going. And we don't want to let them get going."