Latest news with #Wachusett
Axios
30-06-2025
- Business
- Axios
Tough times for Mass. beer brewers amid nationwide downturn
Six of the ten largest craft breweries in Massachusetts saw sales crater in 2024, an exclusive Axios analysis finds. Why it matters: The figures indicate the Bay State's well-established beer scene is not exempt from the tough times plaguing the nation's brewing industry. State of play: The state's largest brewer by far, Boston Beer Co., the maker of Sam Adams products, saw sales dip 23% in 2024 compared to the prior year, our analysis of Brewers Association data shows. Trillium Brewing, Berkshire Brewing Company, Greater Good Imperial Brewing Co., Lord Hobo Brewing and the Tasty Liquid Alliance (Aeronaut and Dorchester Brewing Co.) all saw declines. Sales of Lord Hobo, the ninth-largest brewer in Mass., declined 44% according to the data. Yes, but: Four breweries in the top 10 saw sales hop upward in part thanks to a focus on new-wave beer styles that appeal to the shifting customer base. Those four: Barrel One Collective (Harpoon, Wachusett, Smuttynose and Long Trail), Hendler Family Brewing Company (Jack's Abbey, Night Shift and Wormtown), Tree House Brewery and Mighty Squirrel.
Boston Globe
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Addie Willett and Delaney Moquin send Silver Lake softball to Division 2 championship with clutch performances
Delaney Moquin was her usual self in the circle, working a shutout with 15 strikeouts. Even in an atypical first-inning jam, with two on and nobody out, the Fairfield commit responded with three strikeouts. Advertisement 'It hasn't set in yet, but it's definitely going to be hard to go to bed tonight,' Moquin said. 'We're ready for it. I work better under pressure, so when there's a little bit of pressure on me I use that to my advantage.' Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up It will be a pitching matchup for the ages in the D2 championship game, as Moquin and the Lakers take on Gatorade Player of the Year Alyx Rossi and third-seeded Bedford (21-3). Division 1 state Wachusett 5, Lincoln-Sudbury 1 — Does momentum exist? Sure felt like it. With two on, one out and trailing by a run in the sixth inning, Lincoln-Sudbury had a prime opportunity to push at least a run across. Kelsey Blanchette flared a line drive back up the middle. Wachusett senior shortstop Ella Snyder's instincts kicked in, darting to snag the ball and tag second base, ending the inning in a flash. Advertisement In the bottom of the sixth, Wachusett plated three runs, cutting off the Warriors' hopes of a comeback. Thanks to a game-changing sixth inning, No. 2 Wachusett bested No. 6 Lincoln-Sudbury (18-6) in the semifinals at Worcester State. The Mountaineers (22-2) will play in their first title game since 2021 against four-time defending champion, top-ranked Taunton (24-0) Saturday at Worcester State at a time to be announced. Lincoln Sudbury's Eliana Krasnow (2) was doubled up at second by Wachusett shortstop Ella Snyder during a key play in the sixth inning. Heather Diehl for the Boston Glo 'Everyone's on their toes for anything,' said Snyder, who is committed to Worcester State. 'The bat hits the ball and you're jumping.' Senior pitcher Shayna Bakun, who will play at Westfield State, was in control the entire way. She allowed six hits and a walk with five strikeouts. 'We really focused on the outside, hitting the corners, and giving them something that they could put the bat on but not really be successful with — and it worked,' said Bakun. Wachusett first baseman Isobel Connor and shortstop Ella Snyder embrace earning a spot in the Division 1 championship game. Heather Diehl for the Boston Glo The Mountaineers scored two in the first, with sophomore Cassie Wilkins and senior Tiegan Walsh crossing home on a fielder's choice and an ensuing error. McKenzie Caron, a Stonehill-bound senior, started off the sixth with a double. Caron and Bakun scored via an error before Snyder plated Giana Johanson, a Salem State commit, with a single to right field. 'I knew it was a matter of time,' said first-year Wachusett coach Kathryn Putnam. 'We were making contact with the ball, one through nine in the lineup. We just had to put the pieces together. They seriously feed off of each other with momentum. They fight and they fight and they fight. No one does it better than them.' Advertisement Blanchette, headed to UMass Amherst, blasted a solo home run in the top of the second for the Warriors' lone run. She allowed four hits and a walk, striking out three in the loss. Division 3 state Dighton-Rehoboth 4, Nipmuc 0 — It wasn't easy, but the repeat bid is still alive for Dighton-Rehoboth. The top-seeded Falcons battled to a 4-0 victory over fifth-seeded Nipmuc in the Division 3 semifinals behind a stellar outing from sophomore ace Edy Latour, who tossed an eight-strikeout shutout at UMass Dartmouth. 'This group knew what it would take to get [back],' said D-R coach Katie Holmes. 'Had to rebuild a little bit, but they came out, and I'm just so proud of them for getting there.' After striking out four of the first five Nipmuc batters, Latour drove in game's first run with a second-inning single. Isabella Moss's RBI double added some insurance in the fifth, and the Falcons (23-2) held it down on defense, not committing an error against Nipmuc (21-3). 'I definitely get nervous a bit, but I'm a little more used to it after last year,' Latour said. 'I felt way more confident coming into this game. I feel like I still do what I do, it's the same thing, but just my confidence [has improved].' The reigning champs have one last hurdle to cap off a dream season: 10th-seededSouth Coast rival Greater New Bedford (18-8) in the state championship. The Falcons won both regular-season matchups, 4-0 on April 28 and 15-1 on May 10. Division 4 state Joseph Case 13, Hampshire Regional 0 — Lila Alvarez led off the game with a single. Two batters later, Bre Fontes brought her home with a single up the middle. Advertisement That's all the run support that Alvarez needed. But the Cardinals sophomore received plenty more to aid her dominance. Alvarez hurled a one-hitter, striking out 10 and walking two as fourth-seeded Joseph Case knocked out top-seeded Hampshire (22-2) for the third-straight year, this time a 13-0 drubbing in the Division 4 semifinals at Worcester State. Coach Shannon Silva and the Cardinals had plenty to celebrate as they took care of business against Hampshire. Heather Diehl for the Boston Glo The Cardinals (18-6) will face No. 6 Tyngsborough (20-4) in a rematch of last year's title game on Saturday at a time and venue to be announced. Alvarez carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning, spinning her screwball and curveball all across the plate. 'She's nasty,' said Fontes, a senior catcher. 'She's a great pitcher and I have the absolute pleasure of being behind the plate for her. It's amazing. I've never seen somebody do it like her.' Joseph Case coach Shannon Silva described her pitcher as 'phenomenal.' 'She's just a gamer,' said Silva. 'When she's on the big stage, she does rise up.' 'Those games give me the highest adrenaline and I like to compete,' echoed Alvarez. Hampshire first baseman Teagan Charles felt the emotion of her season coming to a close. Heather Diehl for the Boston Glo In four consecutive frames, the Cardinals scored at least one run with two outs. Alvarez reached base five times, scoring thrice. Fontes tallied four RBIs on three singles. Senior captain Skye Dupre and sophomore Olivia Williams each supplied three runs and an RBI. Fellow senior captain Ella Preston recorded two RBIs and two runs. The Cardinals only struck out once. Division 5 State Greenfield 7, Hopedale 0 — MacKenzie Paulin finished with 18 strikeouts to send the second-seeded Green Wave (18-6) to the state title game where they'll face the defending champion and top-seeded Turners Falls (20-4), a rematch of the 2023 final that saw Greenfield raise the banner. Greenfield scored five runs in the first inning at Westfield State to stake Paulin to a comfortable lead. Advertisement Cam Kerry reported from Worcester and Ethan Kagno contributed. Joe Eachus can be reached at
Boston Globe
16-03-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
MIAA basketball photos: See all the champions crowned in the state finals
Division 1 girls: Wachusett beats Bishop Feehan Jaelynn Scott (game-high 31 points) steered the No. 1 Mountaineers (24-1) to the first state title in program history with a 55-54 win over Bishop Feehan. After coming tantalizingly close a season ago, and falling to Bishop Feehan on this same court, Wachusett broke through in scintillating fashion at Tsongas Center. Wachusett beat Bishop Feehan on Saturday at the Tsongas Center. Erin Clark/Globe Staff Wachusett celebrates its Division 1 girls' basketball title. Erin Clark/Globe Staff Wachusett beat Bishop Feehan after losing in the title game last year. Erin Clark/Globe Staff Wachusett celebrates its title. Erin Clark/Globe Staff Bishop Feehan's Mollie Mullen wipes away tears after the Shamrocks lost. Erin Clark/Globe Staff The Wachusett bench celebrates after Jaelynn Scott hit the game-winning shot. Erin Clark/Globe Staff Wachusett's Jaelynn Scott tries to get past Bishop Feehan's Addison Frenett. Erin Clark/Globe Staff Wachusett's Teegan Lanpher shoots in Saturday's title game. Erin Clark/Globe Staff Bishop Feehan's Charlotte Adams-Lopez shoots over Wachusett's Teegan Lanpher and Jaelynn Scott. Erin Clark/Globe Staff Wachusett celebrates at the end of the game. Erin Clark/Globe Staff Wachusett coach Jim Oxford. Erin Clark/Globe Staff Division 2 girls: Medfield beats Worcester South Medfield's Izzy Kittredge, a dependable forward averaging 10.7 points this season, exploded for 28 in the Division 2 girls' basketball state final Saturday at Tsongas Center. She scored 21 in the second half, powering the Warriors to a resounding 62-20 triumph over South High Community. The 42-point victory was the largest ever for any team, girls or boys, in a state final. The top-seeded Warriors (24-2) led, 19-13, at halftime before using a monster 28-6 third quarter to seize command. They then held the No. 6 Colonels (19-5) to a single point in the final quarter to put the finishing touches on a spectacular showing. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Medfield's Tess Baacke hugs friends after winning the Division 2 final. Erin Clark/Globe Staff Advertisement Medfield celebrates its dominant win over Worcester South on Saturday at the Tsongas Center. Erin Clark/Globe Staff Medfield allowed just one point in the final quarter. Erin Clark/Globe Staff Worcester South's Jaylianna McClain (left) and Zuleily Lopez (right) attempt to block Medfield's Olivia Whelan. Erin Clark/Globe Staff Medfield's Izzy Kittredge (right) grabs the ball in front of Worcester South's Bryan Bascones. Erin Clark/Globe Staff Worcester South's La-Leanna Blount (left) goes in for the block on Medfield's Tess Baacke. Erin Clark/Globe Staff Division 3 boys: Norwell beats Old Rochester The Norwell trailed Old Rochester in the Division 3 championship game by 3 points when the ball found Ronan Coffey with three seconds to go. With the program's first-ever state championship in his hands, Coffey drilled a clutch 3-pointer to force overtime. Coffey scored 8 points in the overtime period, finishing with a game-high 30, lifting the second-seeded Clippers to the title with a 64-61 win over No. 20 Old Rochester at the Tsongas Center on Friday night. Norwell's Will Bostrom (center, No. 12) celebrates with teammates and fans after beating Old Rochester in overtime. Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff Ronan Coffey celebrates Norwell's win. Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff Norwell's Ronan Coffey (center) runs into defensive pressure from Old Rochester's Hunter Horsey (left) and Gavin Martin (right) during overtime. Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff Norwell's Will Bastrom (with trophy) and teammates run to celebrate with fans. Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff Ronan Coffey celebrates with the trophy. Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff Old Rochester's Gavin Martin shoots between Norwell's Oliver Rice (left) and Nick Adams. Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff Division 3 girls: St. Mary's beats Norwell St. Mary's sophomore Bella Owumi, a standout guard, who garnered her first Division 1 offer in seventh grade, played with a level of poise beyond her years in the Division 3 state final. Owumi poured in a game-high 19 points, steering St. Mary's to a 46-38 triumph over Norwell. The No. 1 Spartans (24-3) captured their third state championship in four years, and seventh overall since 2002. Advertisement St. Mary's guard Bella Owumi hits a 3 over Norwell's Madison Oliver in the first half. Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff Norwell's Alex Cassidy (center) controls the ball around pressure from St Mary's players Reese Matela (left) and Lily Norton. Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff Norwell's Reagan Dowd (left) and St. Mary's guard Bella Owumi battle in the first half. Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff St. Mary's celebrates its title. Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff Bella Owumi (center) drives to the basket between Norwell's Adrienne Dowd (lect) and Madison Oliver. Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff St. Mary's won the Division 3 title. Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff Division 4 boys: Georgetown beats Monument Mountain Junior guard Brendan Loewen willed Georgetown to the finish line. Nine of his 19 points came within the game's final eight minutes as sixth-seeded Georgetown held off No. 5 Monument Mountain, 61-54, at the Tsongas Center. Playing in the school's first state final since 1955 (then known as the Perley Free School), the Royals (19-6) won the program's first championship. Georgetown celebrates its title. Erin Clark/Globe Staff Georgetown players pose with the trophy. Erin Clark/Globe Staff Georgetown won its first title in school history. Erin Clark/Globe Staff Georgetown celebrates after beating Monument Mountain on Saturday. Erin Clark/Globe Staff Georgetown's Brendan Loewen drives to the net. Erin Clark/Globe Staff Monument Mountain's Manny Brown drives past Georgetown's Tony Tavarez. Erin Clark/Globe Staff Monument Mountain's Dom Caulutti (right) battles for the ball with Georgetown's Irvin Zapata (left). Erin Clark/Globe Staff Georgetown coach Josh Keilty on the sideline. Erin Clark/Globe Staff Division 5 boys: Pioneer Valley beats Hopedale After a decade of playing together, Kurt Redeker and the other seniors on the Pioneer Valley boys' basketball team have learned a lesson about sharpshooting guard Brayden Thayer. 'When he's hot,' Redeker said, 'he's hot.' In Saturday's Division 5 championship game against Hopedale, Thayer was red hot. The senior guard scored 26 points, draining six 3-pointers, as the top-seeded Panthers cruised to their first title since 1997 with a 49-28 win at the Tsongas Center. Brayden Thayer (left), Alex McClelland (center), and Kurt Redeker (right) show off the trophy. Erin Clark/Globe Staff Brayden Thayer hit six 3-pointers in Saturday's win. Erin Clark/Globe Staff Pioneer Valley's Brayden Thayer celebrates his team's win over Hopedale. Erin Clark/Globe Staff Pioneer Valley won its first title since 1997. Erin Clark/Globe Staff Pioneer Valley's Judah Glenn (left) celebrates with Brayden Thayer (facing) and Alex McClelland (back) at the Tsongas Center. Erin Clark/Globe Staff William Reed can be reached at
Boston Globe
14-03-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
5 games to decide the MIAA girls' basketball champions. Here's a look at the divisional matchups
Division 1 Saturday at Tsongas Center, 6 p.m. Matchup : No. 1 WACHUSETT (23-1) vs. No. 2 BISHOP FEEHAN (23-2). Coaches : Jim Oxford, 19th year (Wachusett); Amy Dolores 6th year (Bishop Feehan). Wachusett starting 5 : G Tee Lanpher (So.), G Sophie Gibbons (Jr.), G Jae Scott (Jr.), F Caroline Mahoney (Sr.), F Kyla Yurkus (Fr.). Bishop Feehan starting 5 : G Charlotte Adams-Lopez (Sr.), G Sam Carlson (Sr.), G Maddy Steel (Sr.), F Mollie Mullen (Jr.), F Lily Singer (Sr.). Players to watch/Wachusett : Averaging 21.1 points per game along with 11.7 rebounds, Jae Scott spearheads the Mountaineers in a complete sense. Notably, Scott's size and fearlessness make her difficult to stay competitive with for all 32 minutes. Tee Lanpher (15.2 ppg, 2.6 steals per game) impresses with her quickness and agility, and Sophie Gibbons averages 11.7 points along with 4.8 assists. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Players to watch/Bishop Feehan : There isn't a single player in the starting lineup that doesn't deserve recognition for the Shamrocks. That being said, Maddy Steel really ties it all together with her team-leading 16 points per game. Mollie Mullen is the only other player in double figures with her scoring (12.8 ppg) and also contributes 3.2 steals a night. Charlotte Adams-Lopez's six assists per game makes for a lethal attack. Advertisement The lowdown : The Mountaineers have a chip on their shoulder to say the least, having lost seven seniors after last season's title appearance, which gives the edge to reigning champion Bishop Feehan. Dolores holds a record of 113-26 over six years, including 17-3 in MIAA tournament play. However, in the last two years, Wachusett has only lost two games, one its loss to Feehan in the title game last year. The Mountaineers' history of winning – 47 total in that aforementioned span – shows that just about anything is possible, but it could require a monumental effort from Scott to outlast the veteran Shamrock leadership. Last championship appearance : Wachusett (2024); Bishop Feehan (2024). Naya Annigeri and her Medfield teammates have a rematch against Worcester South in the Division 2 final on Saturday. Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff Division 2 Saturday at Tsongas Center, 4 p.m. Advertisement Matchup : No. 1 MEDFIELD (22-2) vs. No. 6 WORCESTER SOUTH (19-4). Coaches : Mark Nickerson, 21st year (Medfield); Diago McClain, fourth year (Worcester South). Medfield starting 5 : G Naya Annigeri (So.), G Jailen Annigeri (Sr.), G Tess Baacke (Jr.), G Abby Broderick (Fr.), F Izzy Kittredge (Jr.) Worcester South starting 5 : G Lydia Charlonne (So.), G Stefania Kyriazis (Fr.), G Ava MacCollom (Jr.), F Gianah Estevez (Jr.), F Bryan Bascones (Sr.). Players to watch/Medfield : The younger of the two Annigeri sisters, Naya brings a complete skill set with multi-dimensional scoring ability. The sophomore averages 16.9 points, leading the Warriors, and also contributes 4.3 steals and 3.1 assists. Abby Broderick (11.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.3 steals) and Izzy Kittredge (10.7 points, 8.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists) add to the load, and Jailen Annigeri (6.8 points) exudes leadership. Players to watch/Worcester South : South is composed of a two-way offense between Bryan Bascones and Gianah Estevez. Bascones is averaging 20-plus points in the tourney, and Estevez (12 points) is coming off a career-high 21-point outing in the semifinals against Whitman-Hanson. While the Colonels lack size, they have playoff experience and surely don't lack heart. The lowdown : If South can bring the same energy and intensity to the floor as it did against W-H in the semifinals, there is a chance for the Colonels to do the improbable and take down Medfield. Likely to be a tight contest either way – last year, the Warriors snuck out with a 48-42 win to claim the title – the Warriors contend because of their speed and playmaking, which stems from Nickerson's expertise. Last championship appearance : Medfield (2024); South High Community (2024). Sophomore Bella Owumi (11) keeps the St. Mary's offense on the attack. MARK STOCKWELL FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE Division 3 Friday at Tsongas Center, 6:15 p.m. Advertisement Matchup : No. 1 ST. MARY'S (23-3) vs. No. 3 NORWELL (23-1). Coaches : Jeff Newhall, 23rd year (St. Mary's); Matt Marani 18th year (Norwell). St. Mary's starting 5 : G Lily Norton (So.), G Juliana Conte (Sr.), G Bella Owumi (So.), F Jillian Roberts (Jr.), F Reese Matela (Sr.). Norwell starting 5 : G Reagan Dowd (Sr.), G Holly Panttila (Sr.), G Paige Maguire (Sr.), F Alex Cassidy (So.), F Maddie Oliver (Sr.). Players to watch/St. Mary's : It starts with Bella Owumi, an electric playmaker who has improved her shooting ability, defense, and rebounding. Averaging 17 points and 12.2 rebounds, Owumi excels in transition and often makes the game look easy. Reese Matela is also a force down low, and the two work well in tandem around the rim. Together, they help St. Mary's play a fast, relentless, and overpowering style. Players to watch/Norwell : Maddie Oliver took home South Shore League MVP honors for the third consecutive year thanks to another well-rounded season. The 5-foot-11-inch forward controls the glass and finishes strong inside, but is also a prolific passer who can handle the ball and drive on opponents. Over her last three games, she's averaged 24 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 assists. Oliver complements Reagan Dowd perfectly to form a prolific 1-2 punch their fathers proudly refer to as 'Batman & Robin.' The lowdown : Norwell has inched closer and closer to its first state title in program history, making the quarterfinals in 2022, semifinals in 2023, and finals in 2024. The experienced, deep, and defensive-minded Clippers are fully capable of finishing the mission, but Owumi and the ultra-athletic Spartans stand in their way. It will be interesting to see whether or not Owumi and Oliver match up against each other. Either way, fans are in for a treat, as two of the best players in the state go head to head. But, in games like this, it's often the role players that decide the outcome. Advertisement Last championship appearance : St. Mary's (2023); Norwell (2024). Clinton Lassiter has his Cathedral squad back in the Division 4 final shooting for another championship. Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff Division 4 Sunday at Tsongas Center, 2 p.m. Matchup : No. 1 CATHEDRAL (18-5) vs. No. 3 SOUTH HADLEY (22-3). Coaches : Clinton Lassiter, 11th year (Cathedral); Paul Dubuc, 15th year (South Hadley). Cathedral starting 5 : G Tamia Darling (Jr.), G Hijjah Allen-Paisley (Sr.), G Keyona Raines (Jr.), G/F Malani Smith (Sr.), F Karilyn Perez-Guerrero (Sr.). South Hadley starting 5 : G Cara Dean (So.), G Caitlin Dean (Sr.), G Cianna Gurek (Sr.), F Kate Phillips (So.), C Ava Asselin (Sr.). Players to watch/Cathedral : The Panthers are preposterously deep, but it starts with Hijjah Allen-Paisley, Keyona Raines, and Tamia Darling. Allen-Paisley (17 points, 4 assists, 2 steals), plays with pace and poise, Raines (14 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds, 3 steals) has a relentless motor, and Darling (14 points, 7 rebounds) helps control the action. Players to watch/South Hadley : The Tigers are a multifaceted team with a strong core of senior leaders. When asked to name a star or two, Dubuc respectfully declines ― a sign he trusts all of his players equally and that anyone is capable of producing on a given night. The lowdown : The good news for the Tigers: they know what to expect on Sunday. The less-ideal news is that they have to face the Panthers again. Cathedral is the clear favorite here, but hey, it is March. Anything can happen. The key for Cathedral is to pressure the ball and excel in transition. South Hadley, meanwhile, will have to limit turnovers and find success from beyond the arc to stay afloat. Advertisement Last championship appearance : Cathedral (2024); South Hadley (2024). Division 5 Sunday at Tsongas Center, 12 p.m. Matchup : No. 2 Hoosac Valley (21-3) vs. No. 5 Renaissance School (24-0). Coaches : John Frederick, third year (Hoosac Valley); Joshua Baker, fourth year (Renaissance). Hoosac Valley starting 5 : G Ashlyn Lesure (Sr.), G Reagan Shea (So.), F Emma Meczywor (Sr.), F Genevieve Lagess (Fr.) Renaissance starting 5 : G Sy-nye Baker (So.), SG Kaylee Buzzell (So.), G Keishla Rodriguez (Fr.), F Zi-Yan Wallace (8th grade), F/C Zh-Nai Wallace (So.) Players to watch/Hoosac Valley : Senior guard Ashlyn Lesure tops out Hoosac Valley's scoring at 14.3 points per game, followed by senior forward Emma Meczywor (10.8 ppg) and sophomore guard Reagan Shea (10.1 ppg). Meczywor (8.7 rebounds) leads the frontcourt and she also contributes 3.6 steals. Shea shoots at a clip of 41.2 percent from 3-point land. Players to watch/Renaissance : Zi-Yan Wallace is at 19.4 points and 12.9 rebounds per game. Sy-nye Baker averages 13 ppg and 4 steals. System basketball is the structure Baker set for his team, and Wallace and Baker compliment each other perfectly. The two stay prepared for any type of defense and know how to take what the defense gives them. The lowdown : Stopping Hoosac Valley, the defending state champion, will not ben easy task, but Renaissance yearns for redemption after dropping a 57-49 loss in the 2024 semifinal to the Hurricanes. This is also the first time Renaissance has advanced to the title game, which will play a factor in the mentality of Baker and co. Last championship appearance : Hoosac Valley (2024); Renaissance (first appearance). Trevor Hass can be reached at
Boston Globe
23-02-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
MIAA girls' basketball tournament: Favorites, sleepers, and analysis for Divisions 1-5
Division 1 Favorites : No. 1 Wachusett (19-1), No. 2 Bishop Feehan (19-2). Sleepers : No. 11 Framingham (12-8), No. 13 Needham (11-9). Best first-round matchup : Friday, No. 18 Newton North (12-8) at No. 15 Belmont (13-7), 6:30 p.m. Analysis : It's very possible that Wachusett and Bishop Feehan meet again in a rematch of last year's highly competitive championship game, Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Longest road trip : Tuesday, No. 34 Concord-Carlisle (10-10) at No. 31 Durfee (11-9), 63.5 miles. Advertisement PLAYERS TO WATCH Kerri Finneran and Aniela Kwo , Central Catholic — Finneran (14.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.4 steals) and Kwo (14.3 points, 7.7 rebounds) are the engines on a balanced and dangerous squad that never makes it easy for the opposition. Angela Hector , Springfield Central — The senior forward/center contributes 9.6 points and a team-high 7.7 rebounds per game, while shooting a team-best 55 percent, for the Golden Eagles. Alyssa Hopps , Quincy — A formidable force inside who finishes at a high level with both hands, the Babson-bound senior (18.4 points, 11.4 rebounds, 2.1 blocks) is a threat alongside Niamh Gendron and Frankie Diaz. Shannon McCarthy and Mckenna Morrison , Woburn — Both seniors, McCarthy (15.1 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.3 blocks) and Morrison (15.1 points, 4.2 assists, 2.8 steals) — who went undefeated over four years in Middlesex League play — are lockdown defenders and relentless competitors. Advertisement Jaelynn Scott , Wachusett — The powerful and explosive playmaker has established herself as one of the top players in the state as a junior, contributing 20.2 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game for the Mountaineers. Maddy Steel , Bishop Feehan — After steering the Shamrocks to a Division 2 Favorite : No. 1 Medfield (18-2). Sleepers : No. 11 Pembroke (14-6), No. 15 Oliver Ames (13-7). Best first-round matchup : Saturday, No. 21 Archbishop Williams (10-10) at No. 12 Nashoba (15-5), 4 p.m. Analysis : One could make a case that Division 2 is the most compelling bracket. While Medfield is Longest road trip : Tuesday, No. 40 Somerset Berkley (10-10) at No. 25 Longmeadow (13-7), 105.8 miles. Advertisement PLAYERS TO WATCH Naya Annigeri , Medfield — Providing 16.7 points, 4.3 steals and 3 assists a night — while shooting a sensational 43 percent from 3-point range and 85 percent from the line — Annigeri fuels a star-studded team that also features Izzy Kittredge, Tess Baacke, Abby Broderick, and Jailen Annigeri. Bryan Bascones , Worcester South — Bascones, a senior forward who Caitlin Boyle and Celia Neilson , Bishop Fenwick — With the dynamic juniors Boyle (16.8 points, 7.7 rebounds) and Neilson (13.6 points, 6 rebounds, 5.2 assists) leading the way, the Crusaders are capable of making noise. Kat Cheesebro , Dartmouth — Cheesebro, an electric scorer who is averaging 26.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.6 steals, and 3.4 assists, will look to cap a tremendous career in style with a deep tournament run. Avery Gamble , Oliver Ames — A fearless and attack-minded junior guard, Gamble is putting up 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals a night for the Tigers. Ava Orlando , Notre Dame (Hingham) — The relentless and skilled senior guard, who Division 3 Favorites : No. 1 St. Mary's (19-3), No. 2 Foxborough (19-1). Sleepers: No. 6 Fontbonne (15-5), No. 10 Apponequet (17-5). Best first-round matchup : Friday, No. 18 Oakmont (20-0) at No. 15 Watertown (13-8), 5:15 p.m. Analysis : There two teams, No. 1 St. Mary's and No. 2 Foxborough, to go through. Advertisement Longest road trip : Thursday, No. 17 Springfield International (10-10) at No. 16 Newburyport (14-6), 121 miles PLAYERS TO WATCH Amelia Crowe , Pentucket — At 15.6 points per game, the 5-foot-10-inch junior forward gives the Panthers a No. 1 option who can take pressure off the rest of the floor. Crowe exploded for 32 points in Pentucket's first-round matchup against Newton North in the Spartan Classic on Feb.15. Jess Laflamme , Fontbonne — Her numbers (9.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists) don't jump off the page, but in the Ducks' last four games of the season, she dropped 18, 13, 18, and 19 points. Fontbonne is getting hot at just the right time, and Laflamme is the backbone. Maddie Oliver , Norwell — The four-time South Shore league All-Star, and 2024-25 co-MVP, Oliver (17.6 points, 8.6 rebounds) possesses the traits to push the Clippers far. Bella Owumic , St. Mary's — Her name gets mentioned plentifully, but for good measure, because Owumi is no typical sophomore. Sporting marks of 17.4 points per game, 12.3 rebounds, 3.8 steals, 3.7 assists, and 2.8 blocks, Owumi makes playing with girls above her age look seamless. Advertisement Kailey Sullivan , Foxborough — Sullivan has spearheaded the Warriors, averaging 25.4 points per game (508 points this season, 1,796 overall), with wins over Medfield and Division 4 Favorite : No. 1 Cathedral (14-5). Sleeper : No. 19 Blue Hills (19-1). Best first-round matchup : Tuesday, No. 46 Upper Cape (10-10) at Blue Hills, 5 p.m. Analysis : Longest road trip : Friday, , No. 18 West Bridgewater at No. 15 Wahconah, 148 miles PLAYERS TO WATCH Hijjah Allen-Paisley and Keyona Raines , Cathedral — It's Allen-Paisley's world, and everybody else is living in it, as the senior's averages of 17 points, 4 assists, and 2 steals per game give her the leg up on just about any opponent. Raines is right there with her (13 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds, 3 steals). Addy Andrews , Cohasset — A force in the paint and an all-around scorer, the junior put up 22 points in a first-round win over Newton South at the Spartan Classic. Andrews has the tools to make facing Cohasset daunting. Julia Grimes, Josie Helms, Sarah Stairs , Carver — The Crusaders have a deep cast, but it primarily centers around these three, all of whom are regularly in double figures. Stairs and Helms combined for 25 in Carver's last regular-season game, and two nights prior, Grimes notched a game-leading 23 points. Thanks to the three, the Crusaders are peaking at the right moment. Paige Meda , Bourne — Meda reached the 1,000-point mark just over a year ago, and she hasn't stopped since. A week ago, Meda averaged 27.7 points in a three-game stretch, breaking the program's career scoring record. Sarah Michel , Blue Hills — At 18.5 points per game and 11.1 rebounds this freshman center, will be a force to reckon with in the Mayflower Athletic Conference for some time, and this tournament is an opportunity to provide a glimpse of what she is capable of. Division 5 Favorite : No. 2 Hoosac Valley (17-3). Sleeper : No. 16 Minuteman (15-5). Best first-round matchup : Thursday, No. 18 Neighborhood House (15-5) at No. 15 Westport (14-6), 6 p.m. Analysis : Longest road trip : Tuesday, No. 33 Smith Academy (13-7) at No. 32 Cape Cod Regional Tech (10-10), 179.6 miles PLAYERS TO WATCH Phoebe Carroll , Hopedale — A junior forward who was a member of the 2022 state title team and eclipsed 1,000 points earlier this season, Carroll is a force inside for the Blue Raiders. Olivia Chrzan , Monson — Chrzan, who surpassed 2,000 points earlier this month, makes the Mustangs a threat to advance despite their 8-12 record. Jocelyn Fairfield , Lenox — The undefeated Millionaires have many catalysts, including the versatile senior. Ashlyn Lesure , Hoosac Valley — Lesure, a senior guard averaging 14.4 points. 4.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 3.5 steals per game, will try to help the defending champion Hurricanes repeat. Muji Vader , Minuteman — The junior guard, a back-to-back Commonwealth League MVP who is 57 points away from 1,000, contributes 21.7 points, 10.7 rebounds, 7.8 steals, and 4.9 assists per game for the Revolution. Zi'Yan Wallace , Renaissance — Renaissance has had a dominant season, and Wallace, an overpowering eighth-grader who plays center, has been a major reason why. Trevor Hass can be reached at
