End of Season Awards: Massachusetts All-State

Our end of season awards move forward today with a look at the player of the year and all-state teams for Massachusetts.   As a reminder, here is our approach for selecting these teams.   First, the benefit that we have over say, the NBA, is that we don't have to cast any votes until after the state tournaments have taken place. Because of that, these teams will factor in playoff performances.   In each state we'll name a Player of the Year. That player will earn their own recognition, seperate from the all-state teams.   After that we'll name five players to a 1st team and five more to a 2nd team. Construction of the teams will have less to do with positional make up than it will with trying to honor the prospects we believe had the best seasons.   With that being said, let's take a look at the 2024-2025 Player of the Year and All-State teams from Massachusetts.   Player of the Year: [player_tooltip player_id='2546769' first='Matt' last='Gaffney'] - Malden Catholic   The ultimate winner, Gaffney has Malden Catholic one win away from a fourth state championship in a row. A heady lead guard, he was a true two way performer that took as much pride in playing defense as he did in putting up points. With the ball in his hands, he was able to get timely buckets or set up his teammates for open looks at the basket. He was as confident of a ball-handler as there was in the state, able to beat a press on his own, create as a scorer in isolation situations, and competently run a half-court offense. He didn't shy away from the big moments and when his team needed a basket, he was able to break down the defense and find a way to score. Defensively, he guarded at the point of attack, rebounded in space, and was terrific when turning defense into offense in transition.     1st Team: [player_tooltip player_id='1532454' first='Caden' last='Sullivan'] - Franklin   Sullivan returned to Franklin this winter on a mission and has done everything in his power to put his team in position to claim the state championship that eluded them last winter. A runner up finish last season served as a springboard for the attacking guard as he showed from the first game this winter that he was one of the top players in the state. With his ability to score at multiple levels, handle the ball as a creator, and make the little plays that don't show up in a box scorer, he continuously found ways to impact winning. On top of that, he often guarded the opponents top scorer and served as a physical rebounder from the guard spot.   1st Team: [player_tooltip player_id='2547048' first='Manny' last='Brown'] - Monument Mountain   Brown proved to be one of the top scorers in the state this winter and has used his explosive offensive production to help Monument Mountain reach the state championship game. A combo guard that really knows how to score the basketball, he's a 1,000 point scorer that does damage in transition, as well as in the half-court. With the ball in his hands, he's able to get by the initial defender and score in the mid-range, where his ability to stop on a dime and elevate stands out. He's terrific in transition, where he can score at the rim with athleticism or spot up from behind the arc and knock down threes at a high rate.   1st Team: Javi Lopez - Central Catholic   Lopez cemented his reputation as one of the top scoring guards in the state this season, passing the 1,000 point mark and leading Central Catholic to a semifinal appearance. A bigger gyard that has the ability to play on or off the basketball, Lopez does a great job of letting the game come to him and not forcing the issue. He's seemingly always under control, doesn't get sped up, and repeatedly makes good decisions with the ball in his hands. He's a playmaker in transition and a terrific isolation scorer in the halfcourt. Defensively, he's a solid rebounder that typically finds himself in the right spots within his team's concepts.   1st Team: [player_tooltip player_id='1532631' first='Teagan' last='Swint'] - Newton North   Swint made his presence felt every single night and has Newton North one win away from claiming a state championship. A talented scorer, he's a bigger, physical wing that really knows how to score in isolation situations. He does a nice job of using his frame to keep defenders at a distance and knows how to get to his spots off the bounce, where he can elevate into his jump shot. He's a willing ball mover, was able to cut hard to the rim, and finishes with strength in the paint. Defensively, he has the versatility to guard multiple positions and also does a good job of pursuing the basketball on the defensive glass.   1st Team: Nathan Reynolds - Bourne   Reynolds wrapped up a storied career at Bourne by breaking the school's all-time scoring record and leading his team to an appearance in the state semifinals. A physical forward with a big frame and plus athleticism, Reynolds was as his best around the basket on both ends of the floor. He had the ability to operate as the hub of an offense from the block, the elbows, or the top of the key, providing his team with plenty of offensive options. He has great hands, impressive footwork in the post, and the ability to score over either shoulder. On top of that, he's a strong defender that knows how to defend ball screens and rebounds at a really high rate.     2nd Team: [player_tooltip player_id='2396734' first='Jasaad' last='Fenton'] - Holland Tech   Fenton, arguably the most dynamic lead guard in the state, filled the stat sheet every night while helping Holland Tech to a state semifinal appearance. A blur in transition, Fenton was the perfect guard to lead Holland's up-tempo attack. He's an impressive athlete that has quick burst in tight spaces, the ability to handle the ball against pressure, and enough bounce to finish over bigger defenders at the rim. He's a solid perimeter shooter that could get hot in a hurry once he saw the ball go in the basket once. Defensively, he hounded opposing guards and created tons of steals and deflections with his quickness and anticipation.   2nd Team: [player_tooltip player_id='1532516' first='Patrick' last='Madden'] - Hopedale   Madden proved to be one of the state's most complete guards and in the process, has led Hopedale to the doorstep of a state championship. The lefty has a great feel for the game on the offensive end of the floor, operating on the ball as a decision maker and off the ball as a scorer. He has the ability to make plays out of ball screens, turning the corner to get a piece of the paint as a facilitator or pulling up to get into his jump shot. He's physically strong and is an instinctive cutter that could really put pressure on the rim. An intelligent defender, he guarded multiple spots and rebounded in space with great pursuit of the basketball.   2nd Team: [player_tooltip player_id='2633107' first='Tzar' last='Powell-Aparicio'] - Lowell   Powell-Aparicio had a dominant senior season, one in which he led his team to a state quarterfinal and wrapped up his career as one of only eight 1,000 point scorers in Lowell history. He consistently filled a stat sheet and as good of a scorer as he was, he was equally capable of grabbing five or more rebounds, dishing out five or more assists, and swiping five or more steals in any given night. As a scorer, he put a ton of pressure on the rim with his athleticism, burst, and physicality. His driving opened up his shooting, which in turn opened up his floor game. All of which benefitted from his ability to be a disruptive defender.   2nd Team: [player_tooltip player_id='2716650' first='Carson' last='Gretz'] - Newburyport   Gretz left his imprint all over games this winter as the mismatch forward was an instrumental piece in Newburyport's regular season, helping his team to secure the 3rd seed in the state tournament. At 6'5" with plus athleticism and strength, he presented as a match-up nightmare for most forwards in the state. His ability to make plays on the perimeter with his feel as a passer and long range shooter was a separator, as he took advantage of match-ups to help his team get easy baskets. He was a strong rebounder and versatile defender that proved to be one of the best grab and go defensive rebounders in the state, often starting the fast break himself.   2nd Team: [player_tooltip player_id='1529223' first='Alan' last='Shi'] - Brookline   Shi might have been the most dominant big man in the state, as the 6'10" forward averaged a double-double while helping lead Brookline to the state tournament. A confident offensive performer, he had the ability to make plays as a driver from the perimeter or to operate with his back to the basket. He's surpisingly mobile for someone of his size and used that agility to impact the game in transition as a rim runner and in the half-court as an offensive rebounder. He shined just as much on the defensive end of the floor where he blocked shots as an on ball defender and from the help side while also gobbling up defensive rebounds and initiating the break with good outlet passes.

Our end of season awards move forward today with a look at the player of the year and all-state teams for Massachusetts.