MIAA to expand hoop tournament?

According to a report on Boston.com, the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association is exploring the possibility of creating a basketball version of hockey’s Super Eight Tournament. The MIAA is also considering expanding its Division 4 Tournament to include schools in central and western Mass.

Championship Weekend Schedule

Here is the schedule for the championship games this weekend:

SATURDAY
Cross Country
Berkshire Community College, first race starts at 11 a.m.

Field Hockey
at Mount Holyoke College
Division 1 - South Hadley vs. Longmeadow, 11 a.m.
Division 2 - Mohawk vs. Smith Academy, 1

Soccer
at Westfield State College
Boys Division 2 - Belchertown vs. Southwick, 11 a.m.
Girls Division 1 - Minnechuag vs, Chicopee Comp, 1:15
Boys Division 1 - Amherst vs. Ludlow, 3:30

Girls volleyball
at Holyoke Community College
Division 3 - Frontier Regional vs. Wahconah, 4
Division 2 - Longmeadow vs. West Springfield, 6:30

SUNDAY
Soccer
at Westfield State College
Girls Division 2 - Monson/Frontier winner vs. Belchertown/Wahconah winner, noon
Girls Division 3 - Gateway/Lenox winner vs. Granby/Hopkins winner, 2:15
Boys Division 3 - Lenox vs. Gateway, 4:30

MIAA Rejects Proposal for Statewide Football Tourney

My opionion: The right decision about a well-intentioned but extremely flawed plan.

MIAA REJECTS PROPOSAL FOR STATEWIDE FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT

WESTBOROUGH - The members of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) today rejected a proposal from its Ad Hoc Football Committee to implement a statewide football tournament. Members attending the Association's 32nd Annual Meeting here voted 190 to 114 against the plan which would have significantly altered the conduct of high school football in the state.

The proposal which was developed over the past 18 months called for eliminating leagues for football and placing schools in 16 team divisions based on geography and male enrollment. Under the plan, playoff games would be held in weeks eight, nine and ten of the season and conclude the Saturday after Thanksgiving recess with Championship games at Gillette Stadium.

"This issue was discussed extensively at all levels of the Association and the final plan represented input from dozens of meetings with principals, athletic directors, coaches and others" MIAA President Barry Haley said. "While there was widespread support for the concept of expanding playoff eligibility to include more schools, today's vote indicates there remain some important concerns to be overcome."

The football tournament will continue under the format that has been in place for many years.

Tournament soccer seeds

Western Massachusetts
Tournaments
Boys soccer
Division 1
1. Ludlow (14-0-3)
2. Minnechaug (12-3-3)
3. East Longmeadow (10-4-5)
4. Northampton (9-6-3)
5. Taconic (10-4-4)
6. Amherst (7-7-2)
7. Cathedral (10-8)
8. Chicopee Comp (10-6-2)
9. Sci-Tech (15-2)
10. West Springfield (8-8-2)
11. Holyoke (7-7-4)
First round
Sunday, Nov. 8
Game 1: Sci-Tech at Chicopee Comp, 4
Game 2: West Springfield at Cathedral, 4
Game 3: Holyoke at Amherst, 6
Quarterfinals
Wednesday, Nov. 11
Game 4: Game 1 winner at Ludlow
Tuesday, Nov. 10
Game 5: Taconic at Northampton
Game 6: Game 2 winner at Minnechaug
Game 7: Game 3 winner at East Longmeadow
Semifinals
Date, time, place TBA
Game 8: Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner
Game 9: Game 6 winner vs. Game 7 winner
Finals
Date, time, place TBA
Semifinal winners

Division 2
1. Mount Greylock (16-1)
2. Palmer (15-2-1)
3. Monson (14-3-1)
4. Hampshire (9-3-4)
5. Belchertown (7-3-6)
6. Easthampton (12-5-1)
7. Monument Mountain (9-5-3)
8. Hoosac Valley (6-6-6)
9. Wahconah (8-6-1)
10. Putnam (10-6)
11. Drury (3-12-3)
First round
Sunday, Nov. 8
Game 1: Wahconah at Hoosac Valley
Game 2: Putnam at Monument Mountain
Game 3: Drury at Easthampton
Quarterfinals
Monday, Nov. 9
Game 4: Belchertown at Hampshire, 5
Tuesday, Nov. 10
Game 5: Game 1 winner at Mount Greylock
Game 6; Game 2 winner at Palmer
Game 7: Game 3 winner at Monson
Semifinals
Dates, times, place, TBA
Game 8: Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner
Game 9: Game 6 winner vs. Game 7 winner
Finals
Date, time, place TBA
Semifinal winners

Division 3
1. Smith Academy (13-2-3)
2. Granby (11-4-3)
3. McCann Tech (11-4-1)
4. Gateway (10-2-4)
5. Hopkins Academy (11-2-5)
6. Mount Everett (8-7-3)
7. Ware (9-4-4)
8. Turners Falls (11-5-2)
9. Westfield Vocational (7-4-3)
10. Lenox (5-8-4)
11. Pioneer Regional (7-7-4)
12. Sabis (7-10-1)
First round
Sunday, Nov. 8
Game 1: Westfield Vocational at Turners Falls
Game 2: Sabis at Hopkins Academy
Game 3: Lenox at Ware
Game 4: Pioneer Regional at Mount Everett
Quarterfinals
Tuesday, Nov. 10
Game 5: Game 1 winner at Smith Academy
Game 6: Game 2 winner at Gateway Regional
Game 7: Game 3 winner at Granby
Game 8: Game 4 winner at McCann Tech
Semifinals
Dates, times, place TBA
Game 9: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner
Game 10: Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner
Finals
Date, time, place TBA
Semifinal winners

Girls soccer
Division 1
1. Minnechaug (13-1-3)
2. Ludlow (9-2-5)
3. Agawam (10-4-4)
4. Taconic (13-3-2)
5. Pittsfield (12-3-3)
6. Chicopee Comp (9-5-4)
7. East Longmeadow (7-6-5)
8. West Springfield (8-7-3)
9. Longmeadow (7-9-2)
10. Northampton (5-7-6)
11. Chicopee (7-8-3)
First Round
Sunday, Nov. 8
Game 1: Northampton at East Longmeadow, 2
Game 2: Longmeadow at West Springfield, 6
Game 3: Chicopee at Chicopee Comp, 6:30
Quarterfinals
Tuesday, Nov. 10
Game 4: Game 2 winner at Minnechaug, 2
Game 5: Game 3 winner at Agawam, 2
Wednesday, Nov. 11
Game 6: Game 1 winner at Ludlow, 2
Game 7: Pittsfield at Taconic, 5
Semifinals
Time, Date, place TBA
Game 8: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner
Game 9: Game 4 winner vs. Game 7 winner
Finals
Time, Date, place TBA
Game 10: Game 8 winner vs. Game 9 winner

Division 2
1. Hampshire Regional (12-1-3)
2. Monson (13-2-3)
3. Wahconah (12-3-2)
4. Frontier Regional (10-3-5)
5. Athol (16-2-0)
6. Palmer (9-5-4)
7. Monument Mountain (9-5-2)
8. Belchertown (9-7-2)
9. Hoosac Valley (8-9-1)
First round
Sunday, Nov. 8
Game 1: Hoosac Valley at Belchertown, 2
Quarterfinals
Monday, Nov. 9
Game 2: Athol at Frontier Regional, 2
Game 3: Monument at Monson, 2
Game 4: Palmer at Wahconah, 2
Tuesday, Nov. 10
Game 5: Game 1 winner at Hampshire, 5
Semifinals
Time, Date, place TBA
Game 6: Game 2 winner vs. Game 5 winner
Game 7: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner
Finals
Time, Date, place TBA
Game 8: Game 6 winner vs. Game 7 winner

Division 3
1. Smith Academy (15-1-2)
2. McCann Tech (15-2-1)
3. Granby (13-2-3)
4. Hopkins Academy (13-3-2)
5. Gateway Regional (11-3-2)
6. Westfield Voke (9-5-2)
7. Lenox (10-6-2)
8. Lee (10-6-2)
9. Pathfinder (9-7-2)
10. Pioneer Regional (8-7-3)
11. Ware (7-7-2)
First round
Saturday, Nov. 7
Game 1: Pathfinder at Lee, 2
Sunday, Nov. 8
Game 2: Pioneer Regional at Lenox, 2
Game 3: Ware at Westfield Voke, 2
Quarterfinals
Monday, Nov. 9
Game 4: Gateway at Hopkins, 2
Game 5: Game 1 winner at Smith Academy, 2
Tuesday, Nov. 10
Game 6: Game 2 winner at McCann Tech, 2
Wednesday, Nov. 11
Game 7: Game 3 winner at Granby, 2
Semifinals
Time, Date, place TBA
Game 8: Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner
Game 9: Game 6 winner vs. Game 7 winner
Finals
Time, Date, place TBA
Game 10: Game 8 winner vs. Game 9 winner

Boys Championship Previews

Division 1 boys
No. 2 Sci-Tech (18-4) vs. No. 4 Central (16-6), 7:30
Head to head: Sci-Tech won 75-61 on Feb. 3; Central won 61-56 on Feb. 18
How they got here: Sci-Tech beat No. 7 Commerce (64-59) and No. 3 East Longmeadow (68-62); Central beat No. 5 Minnechaug (72-49) and No. 1 Northampton (64-57)
Projected starters: Cybercats: Jahsohn Ward (Sr., guard), Chris Malone (Jr., guard), Tyron Wiggins (Jr., guard), Theo Robinson (Jr., forward), Shawn McCleary (Sr., forward); Golden Eagles: Jared Johnson (Soph., guard), Jordan Smith (Jr., guard), Chris Bonsu (Sr., guard), Jarel Njiiri (Sr., forward), Victor Aytche (Soph., forward)
Championship history: The Golden Eagles won five Division 1 titles from 1987-1992. They last reached the final in 2007, losing to Holyoke. The Cybercats are in its first ever championship game.
Comments: Each team’s statistics from the semifinal round are mind boggling. Sci-Tech scored 26 points in the paint, including 12 fast-break points. The Cybercats also made 10 3-pointers, including eight by Ward. Central scored 38 points in the paint. Both teams are athletic and fast. Malone is a two-time outdoor 100-meter dash champion. Neither team is deep, each playing about three reserves. Sci-Tech had the top-ranked offense (66.4 points per game) in Division 1 and fifth-ranked defense (55.1). Central is fourth (63.1) and fourth (54.6) respectively.

Division 2 boys
No. 1 Hoosac Valley (19-3) vs. No. 3 Drury (17-5), 4
Head to head: Hoosac won 47-43 on Jan. 23 and 67-60 on Feb. 13
How they got here: Hoosac beat No. 8 Mahar (52-49) and No. 4 Palmer (52-31); Drury beat No. 6 Wahconah (65-38) and No. 7 Mohawk (62-58)
Projected starters: Hurricanes: Nick Aitken (Soph., guard), Dalton Martinelli (Soph., guard), Dalton Larabee (Sr., guard), Brennan Polidoro (Sr., forward), Ribbie Burke (Jr., forward); Blue Devils: Mike Bullett (Sr., guard), Justin Racette (Jr., guard), Anthony Sims (Jr., guard), Nik Andrews (Jr., forward), Josh Racette (Sr., forward)
Championship history: Hoosac beat Wahconah in 2003 for its lone title. The Hurricanes were runners-up in 2000 and 1998. Drury has won six titles, most recently in 1990. The Blue Devils were runners-up in 1995, 1989, 1979 and 1976.
Comments: The Pioneer Valley will finally be treated to one of the craziest rivalries in western Massachusetts. For the first time ever these two fierce neighbors, Hoosac is in Cheshier while Drury in North Adams, will play in the title game. Hoosac has the size. Drury has the guard play. Hoosac finished with the third-ranked defense (48.9 points per game) and seventh-ranked offense (59.2) in Division 2. Drury had the third-ranked offense (63.8) and seventh-ranked defense (54.2).

Division 3 boys
No. 2 New Leadership (20-2) vs. No. 1 Sabis (21-1), 12:30
Head to head: Sabis won 82-61 on Dec. 30 and 71-66 on Jan. 30
How they got here: Sabis beat No. 8 St. Joseph’s (49-31) and No. 4 Frontier Regional (76-41); New Leadership beat No. 6 Easthampton (70-56) and No. 3 Turners Falls (75-70)
Projected starters: Bulldogs: Keith Henry (Sr., guard), Ryan Grant (Sr., guard), Andre King (Jr., guard), Kamali Bey (Fr., guard), Anthony Click (Sr., forward); Wildcats: Charles Jackson (Sr., guard), Phil Warrick (Soph., guard), Tyrell Springer (Fr., guard), Eric Brown (Soph., forward), Devante Vanderpool (Jr., center)
Championship history: The Bulldogs are in the final for the fifth straight year with titles in 2006 and 2007. Their trip in 2005 was their first. The Wildcats reached two finals, winning in 2004 and losing to Sabis in 2006.
Comments: It’s fitting that the two best teams in Division 3 all year long get to play for the title. Sabis’s lone loss came to Watertown in the HoopHall Classic. The Bulldogs have won 11 straight. New Leadership’s only losses were to Sabis. The Wildcats have won eight straight. Both teams will apply pressure defense. Both teams will cause turnovers. Both teams will attack the basket. Sabis has the edge in postseason history as well as head-to-head history. Sabis has beaten New Leadership 12 straight times since 2005.

Halftime at AIC

Central leads Northampton 38-23 at halftime in the Western Massachusetts Divisino 1 Tournament semifinal round at AIC in Springfield.

Broda Ryan and Ellis Cooper each have eight points for Hamp.

Jarel Njiiri had 15 points for Central.

Boys Basketball - D1, D3 Semifinal previews

Division 1 games are at American International College in Springfield. Division 3 games are at the Curry Hicks Cage in Amherst.

Division 1
No. 1 Northampton (19-2) vs. No. 4 Central (15-6), 7:30
Head to head: Did not play
How they got here: Northampton beat West Springfield; Central beat Minnechaug
Players to watch: Northampton: Ellis Cooper, Jesse Coulon, Chris Osepowicz, Declan Wolfe, Bill Frothingham; Central: Jarel Njiiri, Jared Johnson, Jordan Smith, Brandon Barber
Winner gets: Sci-Tech or East Longmeadow
Northampton team offense: 62.2
Northampton team defense: 50.8
Central team offense: 63.1
Central team defense: 54.6
Keys for Northampton: Handle Central pressure; defend perimeter; stop penetration
Keys for Central: Defend Coulon on perimeter; keep Cooper outside of the paint; pressure Hamp guards
Comments: Northampton, which has won 11 straight, is deep. Everyone plays and everyone contributes as seven different players have scored at least 10 points at least once this season. The team is solid defensively. Offense is balanced which makes them tough to defend. Central has won six straight and 10 of 11. The Golden Eagles can run or play halfcourt. Barber’s return gives them an addition athletic body in the paint.
History: Central had five D1 titles from 1987-1992. The last time the Golden Hawks reached the final they lost to Holyoke in 2007.
Northampton has never reached the finals in D1. The Blue Devils were D2 sectional champs in 1980 and 1981 as well as 1998 and 1999.

No. 2 Sci-Tech (17-4) vs. No. 3 East Longmeadow (16-5), 6
Head to head: Did not play
How they got here: Sci-Tech beat Commerce; East Longmeadow beat Chicopee
Players to watch: Sci-Tech: Chrys Malone, Theo Robinson, Kadar Lynch; East Longmeadow: Devin Abad, Dan Martin, Ryan Mickiewicz
Winner gets: Northampton or Central
Sci-Tech team offense: 66.4
Sci-Tech team defense: 55.1
East Longmeadow team offense: 63.7
East Longmeadow team defense: 53.8
Keys for Sci-Tech: Defend 3-point shot; rebound and transition
Keys for East Longmeadow: Slow the game to halfcourt; keep Sci-Tech to one shot; contain Robinson
Comments: East Longmeadow has won four straight and 10 of 12. The Spartans are scrappy, relying on defense and a balanced offensive attack. Sci-Tech has won nine of 10 since dropping two of three in mid-January. The Cybercats are in uncharted territory having never reached the semifinals before.
History: Sci-Tech has never reached a sectional final. East Longmeadow has never reached a sectional final.

Division 3
No. 1 Sabis (20-1) vs. No. 4 Frontier Regional (16-6), 7:30
Head to head: Did not play
How they got here: Sabis beat St. Joseph; Frontier beat Dean Tech and Lee
Players to watch: Sabis: Andre King, Kamali Bey, Anthony Click; Frontier: Gary Grandonico, Erik Abramson, Matt Chamberlin, Jon Pepyne
Winner gets: New Leadership or Turners Falls
Sabis team offense: 74.1
Sabis team defense: 48.1
Frontier team offense: 58.5
Frontier team defense: 46.3
Keys for Sabis: Contain Grandonico; run; attack basket to get Frontier into foul trouble
Keys for Frontier: Rebound; defend perimeter; limit turnovers
Comments: Sabis has won 10 straight since its lone loss to Watertown in the HoopHall Classic. The Bulldogs have beaten teams by an average of 26 points this season. Besides the loss, the only teams to keep it close with Sabis were New Leadership (71-66 loss), Hampshire (73-61 loss), West Springfield (51-44 loss) and Palmer (60-51 loss). Because Frontier can defend and because the Red Hawks are big, they could keep it close. Depth and offense could be a problem. If it’s a shootout, Frontier can’t complete. It doesn’t have the firepower. This is the sixth straight year in which these two teams have played at the Cage. Sabis holds the 3-2 edge.
History: Sabis has been in the finals the last four years, winning in 2006 and 2007. Frontier has reached the finals eight times, winning in 1986, 1987, 2002 and 2008.

No. 2 New Leadership (19-2) vs. No. 3 Turners Falls (16-5), 6
Head to head: Did not play
How they got here: NLCS beat Easthampton; Turners beat Pioneer
Players to watch: NLCS: Devonte Vanderpool, Charles Jackson, Phillip Warrick, Eric Brown; Turners Falls: Evan Bruso, Jake Field, Tom Field
Winner gets: Sabis or Frontier
NLCS team offense: 74.0
NLCS team defense: 53.4
Turners team offense: 63.3
Turners team defense: 50.5
Keys for NLCS: Run; press; force turnovers
Keys for Turners: Control tempo; handle pressure; work the ball inside to 6-foot-4 Field twins
Comments: New Leadership likes to pressure and run on misses and makes. If NLCS can make it a track meet, Turners can’t compete. The Wildcats though aren’t very big and don’t rebound very well so if Turners can slow the pace down and pound the ball inside the Indians will have a chance.
History: NLCS reached the finals in 2004 and beat Frontier. The Wildcats lost to Sabis in 2006. Turners won in 1972 and 1973, which was the last time the Indians reached the finals.

D2 Boys Hoop Preview

Here is a preview of tonight's Division 2 game. I'll have previews for Thursday's games later. 

Division 2
No. 4 Palmer (16-5) vs. No. 1 Hoosac Valley (18-3), 8 p.m.
Head to head: Did not play
How they got here: Palmer beat Belchertown; Hoosac beat Mahar
Players to watch: Palmer: Tyler France, Jackson Bailey; Hoosac: Robbie Burke, Dalton Larabee
Winner gets: Drury in finals
Hoosac team offense: 59.2 points per game
Hoosac team defense: 48.9
Palmer team offense: 55.2
Palmer team defense: 47.8
Comments: Palmer had a relatively easy time with Belchertown in the quarters while Hoosac needed a buzzer beater from Burke to beat Mahar. It’s not the first time Burke won a game at the buzzer this season so Hoosac has the edge in close-game experience. Either team could make a case for having the tougher schedule. Palmer played Sabis, NLCS, Quabbin and Southbridge, the latter two D1 teams out of central Mass. Hoosac played Taconic twice, Drury twice, Mohawk, Commerce, Putnam and Amherst the latter three D1 teams from the PVIAC.
Keys for Hoosac: Keep Bailey off the glass and slow down France. The loss of Nate Biros to an ACL tear will hurt with blocking out Bailey so Larabee will need to play well.
Keys for Palmer: Slow down Burke (easier said than done).
History: Hoosac last appeared in the finals in 2005 where it lost to South Hadley. Hoosac won its only title in 2003. Should the Hurricanes advance, it will set up the first final ever between heated rivals Drury and Hoosac. Drury has won six titles, most recently in 1990, and is in the finals for the first time since 1995.
Palmer reached the Division 3 finals in 1989 where it lost to Smith Academy.

Boys Hoop Tourney Breakdown

All games Friday at 7 p.m.
Division 1
No. 8 West Springfield (12-9) at Northampton (18-2)
Head to Head: Northampton won 48-44 and 69-48
How they got here: West Side beat Westfield 63-57 in overtime; Northampton had a bye
Players to watch: Northampton: Ellis Cooper, Jesse Coulon, Declan Wolfe; West Side: Chris Walker, Joey Lisella, Musa Elsir
Winner gets: Minnechaug-Central
Note: The most common phrase in playoff time is "It's hard to beat a team three times." West Side lost two straight to end the season then needed OT to beat Westfield in the first round. Hamp is rested and ready to claim its first tournament win under Rey Harp. If Lisella's hand is still wrapped that could be a problem. Hamp has more than enough guys to throw at Walker and Elsir.

No. 5 Minnechaug (15-5) at No. 4 Central (14-6)
Head to Head: Central won 58-39
How they got here: Both teams had byes
Players to watch: Minnechaug: Mike Szydlowski, Jeff Lingenfelter; Central: Jarel Njiiri, Jared Johnson
Winner gets: Northampton-West Springfield
Note: Losing in the quarterfinal round last year had to sting for the Golden Eagles. Coach Mike Labrie will almost certainly remind them of that pitfall. The Falcons might not have enough quickness to stay with Central.

No. 7 Commerce (12-8) at No. 2 Sci-Tech (16-4)
Head to Head: Sci-Tech won 72-65; Commerce won 61-57
How they got here: Both teams had byes
Players to watch: Sci-Tech: Chrys Malone, Theo Robinson; Commerce: Kareem Nunnally, Jackson Rosario
Winner gets: Chicopee-East Longmeadow
Note: The X-factor is Robinson. He scored eight points in Sci-Tech’s loss to Commerce and 25 in its win over the Red Raiders.

No. 6 Chicopee (15-5) at No. 3 East Longmeadow (15-5)
Head to Head: Did not play
How they got here: Both teams had byes
Players to watch: Chicopee: Aaron West, Robert Jones; East Longmeadow: Dan Martin, Ryan Mickiewicz
Winner gets: Sci-Tech-Commerce
Note: Chicopee likes to get up and down and if its shots are falling in transition its games can turn into track meets. The Spartans though win with their defense and that's what you need in the tournament.

Division 2
No. 8 Mahar (12-9) at No. 1 Hoosac Valley (17-3)
Head to Head: Did not play
How they got here: Mahar beat Hampshire 80-73 in overtime; Hoosac had a bye
Players to watch: Mahar: Dane Jobst, Tyriq Rochester; Hoosac Valley: Robbie Burke
Winner gets: Belchertown-Palmer
Note: It's been a maturing season for the Senators, who had one win last season. The Burke-Jobst matchup should be fantastic. Burke had been the best of his junior class until Jobst bumped him over this season and they now share the space.

No. 5 Belchertown (14-6) at No. 4 Palmer (15-5)
Head to Head: Palmer won 61-54; Belchertown won 65-59
How they got here: Both teams had byes
Players to watch: Belchertown: Ben McCullough, Joe Courtney; Palmer: Tyler France, Jackson Bailey
Winner gets: Mahar-Hoosac
Note: Belchertown beat Palmer to claim a share of the Bi-County East championship in the final regular season game for both teams. That gives the Orioles some confidence. Palmer is playing home, where it is 8-2 with losses to Southbridge and NLCS.

No. 7 Mohawk (15-6) at No. 2 Taconic (15-5)
Head to Head: Did not play
How they got here: Mohawk beat South Hadley 64-61; Taconic had byes
Players to watch: Mohawk: Devin Reid, Tory Buck; Taconic: Mitch Scace, Chris Bush
Winner gets: Wahconah-Drury
Note: Mohawk is a big team and when it stays focused at pounding the paint the Warriors are tough to beat. Reid is a matchup problem for anyone and Buck can penetrate with the best of them. Scace though should be able to handle Reid while Bush might be a problem for Mohawk's forwards.

No. 6 Wahconah (13-8) at No. 3 Drury (15-5)
Head to Head: Drury won 61-59 in overtime and 62-46
How they got here: Wahconah beat Monument 68-66; Drury had a bye
Players to watch: Wahconah: Craig Lennon, Nick Anastacio; Drury: Anthony Sims, Nic Andrews, Josh Racette, Justin Racette
Winner gets: Mohawk-Taconic
Note: Lennon's floater with seconds left was the difference in the first round. Wahconah will need more to stop Drury. The Blue Devils are balanced with Sims, Andrews and the Racette boys, Josh and Justin.

Division 3
No. 8 St. Joseph (12-9) at No. 1 Sabis (19-1)
Head to Head: Did not play
How they got here: St. Joseph beat Granby 40-37; Sabis had a bye
Players to watch: St. Joseph: Mike McCarthy, Dan Joslyn; Sabis: Kamali Bey, Andre King
Winner gets: Lee-Frontier
Note: To put this game in perspective, Sabis averages 74.1 points per game. St. Joe's scored at least 70 points twice. They beat St. Mary 70-48 and beat Lenox 74-72. St. Mary and Lenox are not Sabis.

No. 5 Lee (15-6) at No. 4 Frontier Regional (15-6)
Head to Head: Did not play
How they got here: Lee beat McCann 71-45; Frontier beat Dean Tech 64-38
Players to watch: Lee: Trey Morin, Sam Boudreau, Dalton Griffin; Frontier: Gary Grandonico, Matt Chamberlin, Erik Abramson
Winner gets: St. Joe-Sabis
Note: The Red Hawks won't have as easy a time with Lee as they did with Dean Tech. Playing the "who played who" game, Frontier beat Wahconah which beat Lee. Also, Frontier beat Hampshire, which beat Monument, which beat Lee.

No. 6 Easthampton (14-7) at No. 2 New Leadership (18-2)
Head to Head: Did not play
How they got here: Easthampton beat Lenox 71-56; NLCS had a bye
Players to watch: Easthampton: Brendan Rios, Pat Ramsey, Chris Mullen; NLCS: Devonte Vanderpool, Charles Jackson, Phil Warrick, Eric Brown
Winner gets: Pioneer-Turners
Note: If they Eagles are going to have a chance they are going to have to do something they don't like to, slow down. Easthampton likes to get out and run. If they do that, NLCS will run away and hide. The Wildcats are not very big so if Ramsey and Mullen can get inside they could pull off the upset.

No. 7 Pioneer Regional (15-6) at No. 3 Turners Falls (15-5)
Head to Head: Pioneer won 67-60; Turners won 64-61
How they got here: Pioneer beat Franklin Tech 71-44; Turners had a bye
Players to watch: Pioneer: Eric Lacoy, Tyler Lennox, Matt Llewelyn; Turners: Jake Field, Tom Field
Winner gets: Easthampton-New Leadership
Note: This game will have everything and it will be close. The only difference is I give Pioneer, despite being on the road, the edge. The team has experience of winning in the tournament and being under pressure.

Boys Hoop First Round Preview, Power Poll

Before we get to the first round tournament matchups, I forgot to update the final regular season Power Poll. Here it is:

Power Poll (Last week)
1. Sabis (1)
2. Northampton (2)
3. Sci-Tech (4)
4. Central (5)
5. East Longmeadow (3)
6. Minnechaug (6)
7. Hoosac Valley (8)
8. Chicopee (7)
9. New Leadership (9)
10. Taconic (unranked)

All games today are at 7 p.m.

Division 1
No. 9 Westfield (10-10) at No. 8 West Springfield (11-9)
Head to head: Did not play
Players to watch: Westfield: Alex Garstka, Aaron Rogers; West Side: Chris Walker, Joey Lisella
Winner gets: No. 1 Northampton (18-2)
Notes: West Springfield, the defending champ, went 3-2 against the Valley Wheel with wins over Putnam, Longmeadow and Chicopee Comp. The Terriers lost two straight to close the regular season. Lisella has his right hand tapped against Northampton at the end of the season and had trouble handling the ball and shooting. Westfield went 2-1 against the Suburban League with wins over Ludlow and Agawam. The Bombers went 5-2 down the stretch, including winning their final three, to qualify.
Pick: Westfield

Division 2
No. 9 Hampshire Regional (11-9) at No. 8 Mahar (11-9)
Head to head: Did not play
Players to watch: Hampshire: Branden Labrie, Scott DeLoach; Mahar: Dane Jobst, Tyriq Rochester
Winner gets: No. 1 Hoosac Valley (17-3)
Notes: Both teams have been inconsistent. Both teams can score. Hampshire averages 64.1 points per game. Mahar averages 60.3. Both teams struggle to play defense. Hampshire allows 59.5. Mahar allows 58.6. Defending Jobst will be a key for Hampshire.
Pick: Hampshire
No. 10 South Hadley (9-11) at No. 7 Mohawk Trail (14-6)
Head to head: Did not play
Players to watch: South Hadley: Miguel Santiago, Greg Daviau, Zach Garbacik; Mohawk: Tory Buck, Devin Reid, Ross Miner
Winner gets: No. 2 Taconic (15-5)
Notes: History favors the Tigers, who have won two straight D-2 titles and four of the last five. History though can’t defend Reid, who is averaging 19.6. Mohawk has a solid PG in Buck, an athletic and quick forward in Reid and a good shooter in Miner. South Hadley has quick guards in Santiago, Daviau and Roberto Agrait. The loss of center Brian Chieco will hurt on the boards.
Pick: South Hadley
No. 11 Monument Mountain (9-11) at No. 6 Wahconah (12-8)
Head to head: Wahconah won 56-41 and 55-37
Players to watch: Monument: Gabe Rossman, Barrett Ramsay; Wahconah: Craig Lennon, Nick Anastacio
Winner gets: No. 3 Drury (15-5)
Notes: The Spartans needed a big finish to qualify. They went 8-4 and finished in second place in the Berkshire South to qualify. Monument has been outscored by an average of nearly 10 points so they need to play well to beat Wahconah. The Warriors went 5-2 down the stretch, including an 11-point win over No. 1 Hoosac.
Pick: Wahconah

Division 3
No. 9 Granby (12-8) at No. 8 St. Joseph (11-9)
Head to head: Did not play
Players to watch: Granby: Dana Light, Brian Boudreau; St. Joe’s: Tyler Reed, Dan Joslyn
Winner gets: No. 1 Sabis (19-1)
Notes: The Rams, who have won four straight, have a good shot at moving on but Light needs to have one of his typical all-around games. St. Joe’s has lost four straight and five of six.
Pick: Granby
No. 10 Lenox (8-12) at No. 7 Easthampton (13-7)
Head to head: Did not play
Players to watch: Lenox: Kevin Carpenter, Chris Bravo, Jesse Armstrong; Easthampton: Brendan Rios, Pat Ramsey, Drew Sharp
Winner gets: No. 2 New Leadership (18-2)
Notes: Lenox has lost three of four and nine of its last 11. The Millionaires are 4-5 on the road with two of those wins coming against Tri-County teams. Easthampton has lost three straight, although one game didn’t officially count. The Eagles are 8-2 at home this season.
Pick: Easthampton
No. 11 Franklin Tech (14-6) at No. 6 Pioneer Regional (14-6)
Head to head: Did not play
Players to watch: Franklin: Tom Glabach; Pioneer: Tyler Lennox, Matt Llewelyn
Winner gets: No. 3 Turners Falls (15-5)
Notes: Pioneer shouldn’t have a problem with the Tri-County visitors. Pioneer is 8-2 at home. They have more than enough players to slow down Glabach.
Pick:
No. 12 McCann Tech (12-8) at No. 5 Lee (14-6)
Head to head: Lee won 57-39 and 59-41
Players to watch: McCann: Ben Raimer; Lee: Jordon Wadsworth, Trey Morin
Winner gets: Dean Tech/Frontier winner
Notes: Lee’s two wins over McCann came during the team’s seven-game winning streak to start the season. The Wildcats should be able to take care of business with this favorable matchup.
Pick: Lee
No. 13 Dean Tech (11-9) at No. 4 Frontier Regional (14-6)
Head to head: Did not play
Players to watch: Dean Tech: Josue Figueroa; Frontier: Gary Grandonico, Matt Chamberlin, Erik Abramson
Winner gets: McCann Tech/Lee winner
Notes: Frontier has won 36 of its last 37 home games. The Red Hawks are the defending state champs. Earlier this decade they lost to Westfield Voke at home in the playoffs. Coach Marty Sanderson has reminded his teams of it ever since.
Pick: Frontier

Another Correction in Boys Hoop

Two teams in the boys Division 3 tournament had their seeds adjusted Monday.

Easthampton (13-7) is no longer the No. 6 seed. The Eagles are now seventh and will host No. 10 Lenox (11-9) on Tuesday at 7 p.m.

Pioneer Regional (14-6) is no longer the No. 7 seed. The Pioneers are now sixth and will host No. 11 Franklin County Tech (14-6) on Tuesday at 7 p.m.

Should both teams win this changes who their quarterfinal opponent will be. Easthampton would face No. 2 New Leadership (18-2) in Springfield while Pioneer faces No. 3 Turners Falls (15-5) for the third time this season.

CORRECTION - Boys Hoop Seeds Change

The Western Massachusetts Boys Division 2 Tournament seeds were corrected shortly after the seeding meeting Saturday.

Tournament Director Tom Ford found a few mistakes about an hour after the meeting conluded at the Basketball Hall of Fame.

The new seeds are as followed:

1. Hoosac (17-3)
2. Taconic (15-5)
3. Drury (15-5)
4. Palmer (15-5)
5. Belchertown (14-6)
6. Wahconah (12-8)
7. Mohawk (14-6)
8. Mahar (11-9)
9. Hampshire (11-9)
10. South Hadley (9-11)
11. Monument Mtn (9-11)

South Hadley was originally given the No. 8 seed followed by Mahar and Hampshire Regional. Mohawk was previously the sixth followed by Wahconah.

South Hadley will play at Mohawk on Tuesday at 7 p.m. Hampshire will play at Mahar on Tuesday at 7 p.m.

Official Boys Basketball Tournament Seeds

Boys Basketball
Division 1
1. Northampton (18-2)
2. Sci-Tech (16-4)
3. East Longmeadow (15-5)
4. Central (14-6)
5. Minnechaug (15-5)
6. Chicopee (15-5)
7. Commerce (12-8)
8. West Springfield (11-9)
9. Westfield (10-10)
First Round
Tuesday
Westfield at West Springfield, 7
Quarterfinals
Friday
Westfield-West Springfield winner at Northampton, 7
Commerce at Sci-Tech, 7
Chicopee at East Longmeadow, 7
Minnechaug at Central, 7

Division 2
1. Hoosac (17-3)
2. Taconic (15-5)
3. Drury (15-5)
4. Palmer (15-5)
5. Belchertown (14-6)
6. Mohawk (14-6)
7. Wahconah (12-8)
8. South Hadley (9-11)
9. Mahar (11-9)
10. Hampshire (11-9)
11. Monument (9-11)
First round
Tuesday
Mahar at South Hadley, 7
Hampshire at Wahconah, 7
Monument at Mohawk, 7
Quarterfinals
Friday
Mahar-South Hadley at Hoosac, 7
Wahconah-Hampshire at Taconic, 7
Mohawk-Monument at Drury, 7
Belchertown at Palmer, 7

Division 3
1. Sabis (19-1)
2. New Leadership (18-2)
3. Turners (15-5)
4. Frontier Regional (14-6)
5. Lee (14-6)
6. Easthampton (13-7)
7. Pioneer Regional (14-6)
8. St. Joseph (11-9)
9. Granby (12-8)
10. Lenox (8-12)
11. Franklin Tech (14-6)
12. McCann Tech (12-8)
13. Dean Tech (11-9)
First round
Tuesday
Granby at St. Joe's, 7
Lenox at Pioneer, 7
Franklin at Easthampton, 7
McCann at Lee, 7
Dean at Frontier, 7
Quarterfinals
Friday
Granby-St. Joe at Sabis, 7
Lenox-Pioneer at New Leadership, 7
Franklin-Easthampton at Turners, 7
McCann-Lee vs. Dean-Frontier (at higher seed), 7