MIAA State Championships Preview

It's state championship weekend in Massachusetts.   Below, we'll preview each of the five match-ups in the MIAA that will decide thIs year's state champions.     Division 1   Match-Up: Franklin (25-1) vs. Newton North (24-1)   How They Got Here:   #1 Franklin took down #32 Shrewsbury (86-49), #16 North Andover (62-54), #8 Bridgewater-Raynham (63-50), and #4 Central Catholic (52-44) on their way to the state championship.   #3 Newton North knocked off #30 Cambridge Rindge & Latin (56-42), #14 Marshfield (58-55), #11 Braintree (48-40), and #7 Springfield Central (53-49) to advance to the final.   Players to Watch:   Cade Sullivan - One of the top players in the entire state, Sullivan has been a go-to scoring option for Franklin on their way to the state championship game. A physical guard that can play on or off the ball, he's capable of scoring at multiple levels and seemingly thrives in the game's biggest moments. He's hard to guard when he gets downhill and can finish in a variety of ways around the rim. Defensively, he's able to guard multiple positions and isn't afraid to match up with the opponents best scorer. He rebounds in space, makes effort plays, and can initiate the break.   [player_tooltip player_id='1532631' first='Teagan' last='Swint'] - One could argue that Swing is the best individual scorer in the state, a wing that's able to get baskets at all three levels. He has a solid frame and good size on the wing, both of which allow him to operate as a match-up nightmare for opponents. He takes advantage of his size against smaller opponents, scoring in the paint either at the rim or with close range jumpers over the defense. On the perimeter, he's quicker than forwards and can use his athleticism to get to the rim off the bounce. If Newton North needs a big bucket, the ball will be in his hands.     Division 2   Match-Up: Malden Catholic (22-1) vs. Somerset Berkley (23-1)   How They Got Here:   #1 Malden Catholic handled #32 South High (81-44), #16 Milford (83-59), #9 Doherty Memorial (78-52), and #4 Oliver Ames (62-61) to return to the state final.   #6 Somerset Berkley defeated #26 Minnechaug Regional (84-58), #11 Leominster (89-47), #3 Pope Francis (88-60), and #7 Masconomet Regional (66-58) to advance to the final game of the season.   Players to Watch:   [player_tooltip player_id='2546769' first='Matt' last='Gaffney'] - Already a three time state champion, Gaffney is one win away from wrapping up one of the most impressive careers in MIAA history. A true lead guard, he does a great job of letting the game come to him without forcing the issue. He's a high IQ offensive performer that rarely turns the ball over and knows how to get the ball to his teammates for easy baskets. He can make threes with deep range, can break down a defense off the bounce, and is a late clock isolation scorer that doesn't shy away from the moment.   [player_tooltip player_id='2696665' first='Colten' last='Pacheco'] - Thriving in Somerset's up-tempo system, Pacheco is a high energy guard that is all over the court on both ends of the floor. Defensively, he's super active in the press and uses his quickness to be disruptive, creating plenty of steals and deflections that lead to easy run out baskets. When he gets the ball in his hands, he's in constant attack mode, getting to the rim where he can finish with creativity. He's a good athlete, can really defend in space, and is relentless in his ability to get to the rim.     Division 3   Match-Up: Old Rochester (15-9) vs. Norwell (24-0)   How They Got Here:   #20 Old Rochester made it through #13 Tantasqua Regional (58-47), #36 Norton (71-48), #5 Greater Lawrence Tech (52-49), and #1 Saint Mary's (70-63) to advance to the state final.   #2 Norwell took down #31 Medway (66-44), #15 Lynnfield (70-48), #10 Hanover (57-52), and #6 Taconic (65-46) to earn a birth in the state championship.   Players to Watch:   Gavin Martin - An athletic wing, Martin is a two-way presence in and out of the paint for Old Rochester. He shines on the defensive end of the floor, using his positional size and length to impact the game as a shot blocker and defensive disruptor. He has the ability to quickly turn defense into offense and does a good job of running the floor in transition. Offensively, he's a solid cutter that moves well without the ball and does a good job of finishing athletically around the rim. He has a quick first step and the ability to play through contact on his way to the basket.   [player_tooltip player_id='1532449' first='Charlie' last='Williams'] - Only a sophomore, Williams has had a bit of a coming out party for Norwell during their playoff run. He provides his team with a physical presence in the paint, showing the ability to score on the block offensively and protect the rim on the other end. He does a good job of moving his feet laterally and walls up in the paint to deter shots without fouling. He carves out space as a rebounder and is a good outlet passer. He has great footwork in the post as a scorer and the ability to finish with both strength or touch around the rim, while also showing a bit of a face-up game from the perimeter.     Division 4   Match-Up: Monument Mountain (22-2) vs. Georgetown (18-6)   How They Got Here:   #5 Monument Mountain handled #37 Gardner (87-47), #21 Cathedral (74-60), #13 Cohasset (76-41), and #1 Holland Tech (68-65) to reach the final game of the season.   #6 Georgetown was victorious against #27 High School of Commerce (98-65), #11 South Hadley (82-55), #3 Clinton (49-48), and #2 Bourne (69-66) on their way to the state final.   Players to Watch:   [player_tooltip player_id='2547048' first='Manny' last='Brown'] - One of the top scoring threats in the state, Brown has put up big numbers all year long for Monument Mountain. He's dynamic with the ball in his hands, showing the ability to create space in isolation situations or to go by the defense when attacking the rim. He's really good in transition, using changes of speed to get to the rim where he finishes with creativity. Off the ball, he is a terrific spot up shooter with deep range on his jumper. Defensively, he has quick hands and feet and that allows him to be disruptive in passing lanes.   Irvin Zapata - A bigger guard with a smooth offensive game, Zapata does a little bit of everything for Georgetown. With his size, he's able to be a physical presence in the paint, one that can score over or through defenders. He moves well without the basketball, sliding into passing windows, and doing his work before the catch to be shot ready. He has a smooth release on his jumper and the ability to get it off quickly. Defensively, he guards multiple positions while providing a presence on the glass that helps to jump start the offense.     Division 5   Match-Up: Pioneer Valley (24-0) vs. Hopedale (22-2)   How They Got Here:   #1 Pioneer Valley advanced with wins over #32 Prospect Hill (78-28), #17 Old Colony (75-43), #9 Ware (79-29), and #4 Drury (49-23) to earn a place in the state championship.   #2 Hopedale took games against #31 Hampden Charter (72-44), #15 Monson (72-25), #7 New Mission (54-50), and #11 Westport (57-56) to advance to the state final.   Players to Watch:   [player_tooltip player_id='2868663' first='Brayden' last='Thayer'] - A big time scorer for Pioneer Valley, Thayer has over 1,500 career points and has averaged over 20.0 points per game this winter. The four year contributor has done it all offensively for his squad this winter and combines with Kurt Redeker to give Pioneer Valley one of the top scoring duos in the state. Thayer gets it done inside and outside and is particularly good with the basketball in his hands. He knows how to play in ball screens, changes speeds to keep the defense off balance, and can make shots from behind the arc and in the mid-range.   [player_tooltip player_id='1532516' first='Patrick' last='Madden'] - As clutch of a performer as there has been in the state this year, Madden's made lay-up with 3.6 seconds left in the semifinals was the difference and propelled Hopedale into the state final. A compact combo guard, Madden has the ability to play on or off the ball and scores at all three levels while doing so. A lefty, he is a good shooter that also knows how to leverage his shooting to open up driving lanes, where he's shown the ability to score at the rim or dish it out to teammates for open looks.

It's state championship weekend in Massachusetts.