MIAA Midseason Top 5

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've passed the midway point of the MIAA basketball season, which means it's time for me to do some reflecting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I've seen a bunch of teams play across all divisions of the MIAA. Below, I'll be highlighting the 5 most impressive teams I've seen, based both on talent and how they play together as a squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Towards the end of the season, I'll also have playoff predictions—including my thoughts about MIAA champions, players of the year, etc—so this is merely a mid-season check in.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With that being said, let's see my top five!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5. Attleboro High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you're looking at the top-end talent of all the teams in the MIAA, Attleboro HS might have the best 1-2 punch in Connor Houle and Ladanian Rodriguez. Houle is a 6-foot-1 senior who commands the game with his floor general ability and IQ. He can handle the rock and get his teammates involved, but he also has a phenomenal pull-up jumper and scored 30+ a couple games back. Rodriguez is a dominant forward who uses his size and length to overwhelm opponents in the paint and on drives. He's 6-foot-5 and has the skills necessary to be effective against double teams and stunted gaps. These two, along with a roster of well-rounded role players who don't try to do too much but can step up when they're asked to, are a threat to win it all.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4. Malden Catholic High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Malden Catholic has a wave of athletes that they throw at you. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2341420' first='Aboubakar' last='Nimaka'] brings incredible breakaway speed and hops, while junior Jeremiah Figaro might be one of the most physically imposing players in the entire MIAA with his 6-foot-5 frame and freakish hops. Meanwhile, 5-foot-9 senior point guard Duke Cherry pulls the squad together with his ability to set the table and calm down his sometimes-overzealous teammates. He makes sound, under control decisions and never gets sped up, but he can pick his spots to shoot and score the rock if he needs to. Malden Catholic is a wild-card to me. They have as high a ceiling as any team on this list, it's just about whether they can consistently play with enough composure and maturity. I wouldn't be surprised if they sit at #1 on this list towards the end of the year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3. Andover High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Andover is a young team, but they're one of the most skilled offensive squads in the state. They're led by 6-foot-1 junior [player_tooltip player_id='2711407' first='Joshua' last='Roux'], who has proven to be one of the best shooters in the entire MIAA and a total microwave when it comes to scoring the rock. He shoots it off the move and while dribbling or spotting up, and it's pretty to watch. Charlie Tutwiler is another name who doesn't get nearly enough attention. The sophomore guard is ridiculously skilled with the ball and has excellent discernment in the paint when it comes to looking for his shot vs. kicking out to shooters. One of those shooters, freshman [player_tooltip player_id='3423515' first='Logan' last='Sullivan'], has impressed me with his knock down shooting chops, as well as his knack for driving closeouts and making smart decisions at the nail. This team has decision-making, shooting, and skill on lock—but do they have the athleticism and size to compete with the best teams? We'll see.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2. Central Catholic</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Central Catholic has gotten their fair share of exposure, and for good reason. They're led by (in my opinion) the best player in the MIAA, senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2696662' first='Javi' last='Lopez']. The 6-foot-1 stud recently became CC's all time leading scorer; he lights it up from the perimeter and the mid range, but he also is unstoppable taking the ball to the rim and finishing with contact. He'll never force the issue, and he has enough good players around him in Drew O'Keefe, [player_tooltip player_id='2832781' first='Elkin' last='Pena'], Jeremiah Almanzar and others, to keep defenses honest. This team plays hard on both ends and knows who their guy is, which is a dangerous combination. Any time you have the best player on the court and a slew of role players ready to fight their behinds off, you have a chance to win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1. Bridgewater-Raynham Regional High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While some other squads might have slightly better top-end talent, Bridgewater-Raynham probably has the most well-rounded starting lineup in the state. They have a number of guys who can get hot on any given night. Seniors Cam Santos and [player_tooltip player_id='3040634' first='Cason' last='Faulk'] can overwhelm opponents with their physicality and strength (and Santos can get going from deep at a moment's notice), while junior Aiden Pires can knock down a slew of threes if you send too much attention to those two guys. And if you're looking for a strong forward to dump the ball into, look no further than Mateo Jackson, the 6-foot-3 sophomore who is incredibly strong and tough for his age. They can beat you on both ends, and they have a number of guys that can be their leading scorer. They're the deepest team I've seen this year, and right now they're also the best. I'm especially intrigued by what they can do on the defensive end with their combination of rim protection and point-of-attack quickness.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->