After three of the 4 ultimate groups in final yr’s Div. 1 state match represented the Catholic Conference, few have been shocked to see this yr’s MIAA seedings.
With 5 of the convention’s six groups cracking the Div. 1 bracket’s prime 10, and half of the primary spherical’s dwelling video games hosted by personal colleges, Super 8 lovers have loads of gasoline to proceed calling for the match’s return. We can anticipate loads of battle and energy from the publics, however don’t be stunned if these privates take up no less than 75 % of the state semifinals as soon as once more.
Still, there’s loads of alternative past the favorites.
Top-ranked defending state champion St. John’s Prep continues to be an influence, however fellow title contenders No. 2 Catholic Memorial and No. 8 BC High confirmed the armor isn’t impenetrable by beating the Eagles. No. 3 Hingham is a powerful candidate after an 8-1 displaying towards Catholic colleges within the common season. Star-studded No. 4 Pope Francis ought to make a deep run, too.
Look for noise from the Middlesex League, as No. 6 Arlington and No. 10 Belmont stand as vital threats whereas No. 14 Reading seems to be to shake off a skid. No. 19 Woburn flashes upset energy. Never depend out No. 5 Marshfield, nor prime sleepers No. 12 Franklin, No. 11 Braintree, or No. 15 St. Mary’s.
The Patriot League is pound-for-pound simply as loaded because the Catholic Conference in different brackets.
For as sturdy as No. 1 Tewksbury seems to be to repeat its Div. 2 state title, No. 2 Duxbury has the resume and expertise to upend it. No. 5 Silver Lake, No. 9 Whitman-Hanson and No. 11 Plymouth South threaten, whereas the Div. 3 state match options No. 1 Scituate as a powerful title favourite and reigning champion No. 7 Hanover contends.
Plenty of risks in Div. 2 to fret about, although. No. 3 Canton is as sturdy as ever. No. 4 Walpole and No. 6 Newburyport navigated by way of sturdy competitors to enter the tourney battle examined. No. 8 Hopkinton, No. 10 Wakefield and No. 12 Gloucester will flip heads.
The identical goes for Div. 3. No. 2 Lynnfield ought to make one other run for the title and is on a collision course for a wonderful semifinal towards No. 3 Medfield. No. 6 Marlboro has a very good make-up to get far, as does a No. 5 Watertown crew that must get previous No. 4 Nauset. No. 8 Essex Tech and No. 10 Triton are high quality sleepers.
The Cape and Islands has a signature stamp amongst Div. 4 contenders, led by defending champion No. 2 Sandwich. A rematch of final yr’s state semifinal double-overtime win over No. 1 Norwell would make for an exhilarating ultimate, however No. 3 Winthrop can be tough to beat.
No. 6 Nantucket, No. 7 Dennis-Yarmouth and No. 8 Martha’s Vineyard are able to upsetting any crew ranked above them, whereas No. 5 Shawsheen seems to be to show its rank amongst contenders.
Predictions
DIV. 1
CHAMPION: No. 3 Hingham
RUNNER-UP: No. 1 St. John’s Prep
SLEEPER: No. 12 Franklin
FINAL FOUR: No. 1 St. John’s Prep, No. 2 Catholic Memorial, No. 3 Hingham, No. 4 Pope Francis
BEST FIRST ROUND MATCH: No. 14 Reading vs No. 19 Woburn
POTENTIAL UPSET: No. 22 Weymouth over No. 11 Braintree
DIV. 2
CHAMPION: No. 2 Duxbury
RUNNER-UP: No. 1 Tewksbury
SLEEPER: No. 12 Gloucester
FINAL FOUR: No. 1 Tewksbury, No. 2 Duxbury, No. 3 Canton, No. 4 Walpole
BEST FIRST ROUND MATCH: No. 16 Marblehead vs. No. 17 Norwood
POTENTIAL UPSET: No. 20 Auburn/Millbury over No. 13 Somerset Berkley
DIV. 3
CHAMPION: No. 1 Scituate
RUNNER-UP: No. 3 Medfield
SLEEPER: No. 7 Hanover
FINAL FOUR: No. 1 Scituate, No. 2 Lynnfield, No. 3 Medfield, No. 5 Watertown
BEST FIRST ROUND MATCH: No. 10 Triton vs No. 23 Danvers
POTENTIAL UPSET: No. 23 Danvers
DIV. 4
CHAMPION: No. 1 Norwell
RUNNER-UP: No. 2 Sandwich
SLEEPER: No. 7 Dennis-Yarmouth
FINAL FOUR: No. 1 Norwell, No. 2 Sandwich, No. 3 Winthrop, No. 5 Shawsheen
BEST FIRST ROUND MATCH: No. 14 Assabet Valley vs No. 19 Amesbury
POTENTIAL UPSET: No. 13 Rockland over No. 4 Grafton
Source: www.bostonherald.com