Mid-Season All-State: Massachusetts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our mid-season all-state reveal continues today with a look at <em>Connecticut</em> and the <em>CIAC</em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Point Guard:</strong> <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='2546769' first='Matt' last='Gaffney']</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Malden Catholic's</em> leader at the point guard spot, Gaffney has been phenomenal while leading his team to a 10-1 record. Gaffney is a capable three level scorer that can give his team 20 on any given night, but on top of that, he's ultra competitive, can defend in space, and has a great feel for managing the game with the ball in his hands. He's the ultimate winner and loves the big moment.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Shooting Guard:</strong> <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='2633107' first='Tzar' last='Powell-Aparicio']</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An elite scorer from <em>Lowell</em>, Powell-Aparicio has been terrific as he's led his team to a 12-1 start to the season. Powell-Aparicio is arguably the top open floor scorer in the state; he's strong, physical, and athletic, allowing him to convert everything around the rim. He rebounds his position well and consistently gets 5 or more assists per game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Small Forward:</strong> <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1532631' first='Teagan' last='Swint']</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A do it all wing out of <em>Newton North</em>, Swint has made an impact on both ends of the floor in leading his team to a 12-1 record. As well-rounded of a scorer as the state has, Swint has great size on the wing and is a big time scorer in isolation situations. He can score against smaller defenders in the paint and take bigger defenders off the bounce on the perimeter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Power Forward:</strong> <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='2453000' first='Matt' last='Breen']</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A versatile, two-way forward from <em>Shawsheen Tech</em>, Breen has taken over games in the paint while helping his group to an 11-1 start. Breen has great instincts on the defensive end of the floor and uses his length and athleticism to be one of the state's top shot blockers. He runs the floor hard in transition, cleans up around the rim as a scorer, and can knock down shots from behind the arc.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Center:</strong> <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1529223' first='Alan' last='Shi']</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The state's most dominant big man at <em>Brookline</em>, Shi has been a force in the paint while helping his team to a 10-4 start so far. A nightly double-double threat, Shi controls the glass on both ends of the floor. He's a talented offensive product that scores with his back to the basket, can get out and run in transition, and even makes the occasional shot from the perimeter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sixth Man:</strong> <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='2547098' first='Niko' last='Catalano']</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A jack of all trades forward from <em>North Andover</em>, Catalano has taken on an increased role in helping his team to a 7-4 start to the season. Catalano has a versatile offensive game that allows him to make plays with the ball in his hands on the perimeter, score around the rim in a variety of ways, and defend multiple positions on the defensive end of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keep an eye out for our next <em>Mid-Season All-State</em> reveal as we head to <em>New Hampshire</em> and the <em>NHIAA</em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>*All team records and statistics are as of January 28th, 2025.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->