MIAA Playoff Preview: D2 Final 4, Sleepers, and Stars to Watch

The MIAA playoffs are here! Five divisions of MIAA basketball action will commence this week, and over the next handful of days, I'll have previews for divisions one through three—including final four and championship predictions, sleeper teams, and stars to watch. I'll then have additional articles highlighting some players to watch from each of those three divisions.   With the number of teams included in the brackets, it was impossible to see every team play. With that being said, I've done my research and have watched as much MIAA hoops as you can as one human being (think you've watched more? I'll challenge you).   This is one of the most exciting times of the year, and I can't wait to see how this year's tournament plays out.   If you missed it:   <a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/02/miaa-playoff-preview-d1-final-4-sleepers-and-stars-to-watch/">MIAA Playoff Preview: D1 Final 4, Sleepers, and Stars to Watch</a>   <a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/02/miaa-playoff-preview-more-d1-players-to-watch/">MIAA Playoff Preview: More D1 Players to Watch</a>   Below is my full D2 preview.   The Bracket   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/Screenshot-2026-02-25-at-4.15.54-PM-1.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/Screenshot-2026-02-25-at-4.15.54-PM-1.png?w=813" alt="" class="wp-image-3524243" /></a></figure>   Final 4 Prediction   St. Mary's School   There is not a team in D2 who has been as consistent throughout the season while still facing high level competition as St. Mary's. The overall one seed might have the most physically imposing player in D2—forward Rolky Arias. He's a phenomenal rebounder and defensive force, and he can erupt offensively when you need him to. If you don't have the right matchup for him, which many D2 schools don't, he'll eat you alive. In their backcourt, [player_tooltip player_id='2569702' first='Jake' last='Fortier'] leads the charge. He's super quick, can get hot from deep, and is calm and comfortable when handling pressure. These two are one of the best one-two punches in the state and have the experience and toughness to compete at the highest level. More on both of them in the "stars to watch" section.   Pope Francis Preparatory School   Pope Francis might have the best player in division 2 in [player_tooltip player_id='2696745' first='Sam' last='Brigham']. The senior guard has scored over 2k points in his high school career and does so in a variety of ways. He's an excellent driver to the rim, first and foremost; he has phenomenal footwork and craft, and he's significantly more athletic than people give him credit for. [player_tooltip player_id='2696747' first='Sam' last='Mayfield'] mans the paint for Pope Francis, along with Jaxson Edwards on the wing. Those two provide solid athleticism and size to back up what Brigham brings from a scoring perspective. The depth might be lacking a bit after those three, but there's only 5 players on the court, and those three are pretty good!   Masconomet Regional High School   If you're looking for the best trio of any team in D2, it has to be Masco. With [player_tooltip player_id='2874990' first='Jimmy' last='Farrell'] at the guard position, they have someone who they can always rely on to get a solid look off (I'll discuss him more in the "stars to watch" section). With [player_tooltip player_id='2696716' first='Jamason' last='Vella'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2879085' first='Thomas' last='Denton'], they have two forwards who are bigger and more skilled than most forwards they'll be facing. Denton can make shots from the outside with excellent range, and Vella is a menace on the boards when he wants to be. Masco has major star power and will be an incredibly tough out in the tournament.   Mansfield High School   While I've discussed the personnel for the previous teams, it's the culture and attitude of Mansfield that makes me think they'll make a final 4 run. They're led by Gabe McIntyre—who can score from all three levels and is a major threat from downtown, but they have a host of other guys who know their role and can pass, dribble and shoot. They run a beautiful offense with good spacing, screening and cutting, and they play hard defensively as well. They might not wow you with as much star power as some other teams, but they're as deep and well coached as any team in the state.   Championship Prediction   Masconomet over St. Mary's   When it comes down to it, I think Masco is the most well-rounded and talented team in the state. Their three best players—Farrell, Denton, and Vella—are as good a trio as there is in the state, and they have a host of role players who will defend, hit shots, and be connective passers. Their head coach Jaycob Morales is also seasoned and smart, and I think he'll put his players in a good position to win. Arias, Fortier and crew will be a tough duo, but Masco's squad has what it takes, especially in the front court. I think this is their year.   Sleeper Teams   Oliver Ames High School   I wouldn't be remotely shocked if Oliver Ames made the final 4. Their big three of Justin Grimaldi (who I'll discuss more in my "stars to watch" section), Jacob Lok and Josiah Marshall are well-balanced and skilled. They can all shoot it from three, and they all have the ability to puncture the paint in order to make plays for themselves or their teammates. When the help comes, each of them does a good job kicking out to shooters and drivers, many of whom know their roles and won't try to do too much. Size could be an issue for them, but they're feisty on both ends and could definitely make a run.   Dr. Albert D. Holland High School of Technology   I've long been on the Holland train. With [player_tooltip player_id='2696708' first='Ian' last='Piper'] at the helm of their pressure defense, they have been known to up the defensive intensity of the game in a way that causes problems for opponents. In addition to Piper, Jalil Lawson handles the ball well for them and is a nice table setter, Caleb Florence is one of the most explosive athletes in this entire division, and Dale Samuels is playing his best ball as of late and is a physical beast. This team doesn't play great team basketball, but they have the talent to make a run, especially if their outside shots are falling.   Archbishop Williams High School   If we're talking about trios, Archbishop Williams has a pretty good one. The backcourt of [player_tooltip player_id='2569683' first='Jadon' last='Beatty'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2696695' first='Bobby' last='Louis'] provides great point of attack defense and offensive firepower, and [player_tooltip player_id='2470935' first='Jack' last='Olinto'] provides shooting and scoring when needed. They'll struggle with bigger and stronger teams, but they have a talented and experienced backcourt that could win them a couple games. I wouldn't be surprised to see them have a final 4 run.   Stars To Watch    Arias is the best offensive rebounder in division 2 and can change games even if there are no offensive plays run for him simply because of his effort, athleticism and length. The offensive skills are still coming along, but he's a physically imposing force who will be ready for whatever you throw at him. He can defend anyone, and he's St. Mary's enforcer.     Fortier has developed into one of my favorite players to watch in division 2. The 5-foot-9 guard is obviously undersized, but he's extremely quick and shifty with the ball, so he makes up for it. If you don't get a hand up on his three ball, he'll shoot your face off—and quickly. Fortier gets his shot off in a blur and has the utmost confidence in his ability.     Brigham is the best player in division 2 in my opinion. The 6-foot guard is slightly built, but he has a phenomenal skillset and feel for the game, so he gets into the paint at will and finishes better than most guards his size. He has special footwork, balance and craft, and he has a knack for taking contact and finishing through it. Brigham is electric with the ball in his hands and could bring Pope Francis a LONG way this March.     [player_tooltip player_id='2874990' first='Jimmy' last='Farrell'] is the best pull-up jump shooter in division 2, and it isn't particularly close. The 6-foot-2 guard does a great job using his first step to get by his defender, and then he simply picks a spot on the floor to get to and elevate at. He's a knock down shooter in these situations and looks ridiculously comfortable. Farrell also does an amazing job finishing with contact and is a big game player, which is important for the state tournament.     Grimaldi is a 6-foot-3 wing who has excellent length and shooting ability for his size. At the MIAA level, there aren't many guys with his physical profile that are as effective as movement shooters from both the mid range and the three. When defenses overplay him, he has the handle and strength necessary to keep his line on drives and finish in the paint. Grimaldi is OA's best player and could lead them to some upsets.     Gray is 6-foot-6 and long, which makes him one of the bigger players in MIAA D2. He's an above the rim athlete, and he has really solid speed and agility for his size. But he's also able to handle the ball and make shots from long range, which makes him one of the tougher covers in this division. I'm not sure Gray has enough alongside him at Burlington to make a title run, but he certainly has a chance to be the best player in any game he plays this postseason.

The MIAA playoffs are here! Five divisions of MIAA basketball action will commence this week, and over the next handful of days, I'll have previews for divisions one through three—including final four and championship predictions, sleeper teams, and stars to watch. I'll then have additional articles highlighting some players to watch from each of those three divisions.