MIAA Playoff Preview: More D2 Players 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:   D1:   <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>   D2:   <a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/02/miaa-playoff-preview-d2-final-4-sleepers-and-stars-to-watch/">MIAA Playoff Preview: D2 Final 4, Sleepers, and Stars to Watch</a>   Below are some more D2 players to watch.    Volkringer is a tough, physical athlete who does everything you ask of him on both ends. He can guard multiple positions and rebounds the ball very well for his size, and he's able to knock down shots from the three and mid range offensively. He also excels on transition and in fast break situations, where he does a good job using wrong-footed layups to throw off the defense's timing.     Alongside Volkringer, Garron-Ciberay provides shooting and versatility on the offensive end. He can hit spot-up threes, he can set crushing screens, and he can finish in the paint when needed. He also does an excellent job on the boards and will fight his behind off. Garron-Ciberay will be the backbone of Plymouth South and still both have another year left!     Taylor has been one of the more dominant players in MIAA D2 this year. The 6-foot guard is a three level scorer who doesn't have an offensive weakness. He can athletically finish at the rim—especially for reverse layups—but he also has deep shooting range. When he's double teamed, Taylor has really solid vision and is a willing and able passer.     With [player_tooltip player_id='2957215' first='Ben' last='Cormier'] out with an injury, it'll be up to Atherton to pick up the scoring load for Newburyport. The 6-foot-1 guard is super quick and skilled with the ball and has consistently gotten stronger over the years and during this season, which has allowed him to finish better at the rim than ever before. He's also a knock down three-point shooter. Newburyport would've been one of my favorites with Cormier in the fold.     Atherton will have help in the backcourt from Leanna. The 6-foot guard has a beautiful shot release and can get incredibly hot from three, but he also has way better jumping ability and quickness than you think, so he can get to the rim as well. Defensively, he can guard tons of positions and is a playmaker when it comes to getting in passing lanes. Leanna and Atherton will be tough, but Newburyport will need some more guys to step up if they want to make a run.     Fay is an old-school swingman who has a YMCA game (that's a compliment). He won't wow you with above-the-rim athleticism or big time quickness, but he has the strength and skill to get to his spots on the floor, and he has a really nice feel for finishes and floaters around the rim. He can also make outside shots, which makes him a difficult matchup. Fay is a key part of a well-balanced Chicopee Comp. team that could make a run if things break right.     Trimble is a physically imposing forward who does an excellent job on the boards and finishing near the rim. The 6-foot-3, strong-bodied senior is also able to step out and knock down threes with solid consistency. Trimble leads an extremely well-balanced Foxborough squad that'll look to get to a round 2 matchup with St. Mary's.     I really enjoy watching Raffle play and think he can be a nice college player someday. The 6-foot-2 wing can stroke it from three and does a great job getting his feet set after coming off screens. But he can also athletically and decisively drive closeouts and looks comfortable in space. Raffle defends at the rim and on the perimeter, too, so he's versatile there. He leads a sleeper Milton squad.     Carey is one of the better athletes in this entire division. The 6-foot-5 wing has super long arms and gets well above the rim for finishes and dunks. He can take contact, he can convert with both hands, and he isn't afraid to get knocked down a couple times. The senior can also make shots from the perimeter and has a clean pull-up jumper. I'm not sure Carey has enough help for Amherst to make a run, but he could have some special performances.     Baron is a skilled scorer who leads the charge for a well-balanced Marblehead team. The 6-foot-2 lefty is a flamethrower from three, but he also has some surprising athleticism and strength on drives to the hoop. He can finish above the rim and with lots of contact. I'm not sure Baron will have enough help around him to make a serious title run, but perhaps he gets on a heater and makes things interesting for the 22-seed.     Teixeira is only a junior but has already scored his thousandth point for Bishop Stang. The 6-foot-1 guard is incredibly controlled with the ball in his hands and always has his head up when handling it, so he sees cutters and three-point shooters with ease. He also does a great job using his off hand to get to the rim and take contact. Teixeira is an MIAA stud, so we'll see if some of his teammates can step up and hit shots.     Smith is a downhill-attacking combo-guard who's very difficult to stop with a head of steam. Melrose loves to give the 5-foot-11 senior the ball in early transition, and he does the rest. He has a good handle, surprising athleticism, and strength to take contact in the air. Furthermore, defenses play off of him because of his lack of shooting ability, which allows him to get a head of steam to the hoop.     Suhajda has been Holliston's best player this season, and it has been cool to see his development in real time. He has always been a skilled shooter and closeout attacker for his size, but he has really improved his athleticism and physicality recently, which makes him more of a force in the paint at the MIAA level. Suhajda and Holliston will look to pull off an upset against Burlington, but they'll have their hands full with [player_tooltip player_id='3343780' first='Matty' last='Gray'].     McDonald is one of the deadliest shooters in this entire division. And it's not just that he can make shots with range; the 6-foot-2 guard is able to fly off screens and get his feet set, and he has a ridiculously quick release that he gets off far better than a guy his height should. I've also been impressed with McDonald's ability to drive closeouts and finish with finesse at the hoop. Walpole might not have enough around him, but they've already won their preliminary game and have a matchup with Mansfield lined up.

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.