Paul Liner’s program has turn out to be no stranger to the large stage. Now Needham is hoping to take the step.
One yr after falling brief within the Div. 1 State Finals, Needham figures to be within the combine as soon as once more with guards Brian Cloonan and Jackson Shaw main the best way. Needham can have its possibilities to show its mettle with Newton North, Brookline, BC High, North Andover, and the Comcast Tournament all on the schedule.
“We are not looking past anyone or looking forward to anyone. We are focused on what we need to do to get better now,” Liner mentioned. “Last year at this time, we were not the same team as we were in March.”
Along with Cloonan and Shaw, Campbell Keyes and Aidan Williams determine to be key components within the Rockets’ success. The staff that toppled Needham within the ultimate — Worcester North — can be within the working as soon as once more. Along with the Rockets from the Bay State, Newton North and Natick can be within the combine.
Denis Tobin’s group figures to be a severe contender as Catholic Memorial returns the senior trio of Matt St. Martin, Ryan Higgins, and Jacob Cofield. Junior guard James Larranaga is wholesome after struggling an damage that saved him sidelined a season in the past. The Knights won’t must go far to search out competitors for the crown as Catholic Conference rival BC High has the makings of a contender. Senior guard Ivan Yhomby and Colby-bound ahead Dan Civello will make the Eagles a troublesome out.
The Merrimack Valley Conference is affected by sturdy groups. North Andover fell to the aforementioned Rockets within the Div. 1 state semifinals and returns Boston Herald Dream Teamer Zach Wolinski together with Zach Desroshers and Cam Bethel. Lawrence has Obbie Luciano, Igor Gonzalez, and sophomore Francisco Santana, who holds a suggestion from Georgetown.
While Mark Dunham’s Central Catholic group misplaced manufacturing, it has loads of cause to be optimistic with sophomore Javi Lopez main the best way. Lowell and Andover can be harmful.
Franklin is within the fold with returning Hockomock League most useful participant Sean O’Leary to go along with Henry DiGiorgio. Colbey Santos is now on the helm at Taunton and has Troy Santos to construct round. Attleboro is a sleeper.
Malden Catholic has gained consecutive Div. 2 state titles and appears to be the favourite as soon as once more. Matthew Gaffney is without doubt one of the premier scorers in Eastern Mass. whereas Bo Moody is a 3 yr starter.
“We have some kids out due to injury. When they come back it will help,” Malden Catholic coach John Walsh mentioned. “We only have two seniors that will really play. We have a bunch of freshmen who will get minutes and once they get settled I think there is some potential.”
The Lancers can have loads of formidable foes. Mike Vaughan’s Mansfield group returns Trevor Foley and Devon Sanders however should make issues work with out scorer Eddie McCoy who’s sidelined for the season.
Fresh off a Div. 3 state title, Archbishop Williams strikes as much as Div. 2 within the newest realignment. The Bishops will lean closely on guard Tristan Rodriguez and ahead Tommy McDonagh.
Sharon had a standout marketing campaign yr in the past and is seeking to take the subsequent step. Jacob McLaughlin would be the go-to man, whereas Nate Katznelson opened some eyes with a 47-point salvo towards Taunton..
Dartmouth surged final season and ought to be a participant in 2023-24. The Indians have 6-foot-6 ahead Hunter Matteson and are difficult themselves by taking part in the likes of Franklin whereas additionally taking part within the Spartan Classic on the finish of the yr.
Whitman-Hanson has the duo of sophomore ahead Isaiah Bean-Brittan and junior guard Ryan Baker whereas Duxbury is a staff to observe with sharpshooter Trevor Jones main the assault. Michael Porter stands out as the prime shooter on the south shore and is about to steer a robust Scituate group.
Cedric Rodriguez was one among prime scorers in Eastern Mass. and this yr figures to be no completely different. Rodriguez and James Ellis will make Burlington a staff to observe.
PLAYERS TO WATCH IN DIV. 1-2
C: Jacob Cofield (Catholic Memorial), Chidi Nwosu (Brockton), Tyson Robinson (Newton South)
F: Noah Basgard (St. John’s Shrewsbury), Isaiah Bean-Brittan (Whitman-Hanson), Evan Briggs (Barnstable), Lorenzo Carrara (Xaverian), Dan Civello (BC High), Jaysaun Coggins (Everett), Ryan Commoss (Marblehead), Alexander Delgado (Haverhill), Ryan Dooley (Lincoln-Sudbury), Trevor Foley (Mansfield), Igor Gonzalez (Lawrence), Nate Katznelson (Sharon), Kyle Kemembin (Lynn English), Collett Kinobe (Acton-Boxboro), Edric Louissaint (Weymouth), Hunter Matteson (Dartmouth), Luke Montejo (Tewksbury), Sean O’Leary (Franklin), Luca Palermo (Andover), Sam Pantera (Hopkinton), Sam Perry (Diman), Vishal Rampur (Westford Academy), Francisco Santana (Lawrence), Camdyn Shoesmith (Bedford), Jeffrey White (Cambridge)
G: Tyler Allen (Chelmsford), Isaiah Andino (Methuen), Tzar Powell Aparicio (Lowell), Ryan Asarpour (Lexington), De’ari Burton (Wakefield), Ryan Baker (Whitman-Hanson), Justice Buchannan (Bedford), Brian Cloonan (Needham), Noe Diaz (Beverly), Henry DiGiorgio (Franklin), Gill Dolan (Weymouth), Ryan Donovan (Bristol-Plymouth), Jeyden Espinal (Durfee), Ka’ron Ford (Barnstable), Anthony Forte (Peabody), Matthew Gaffney (Malden Catholic), Denzel Guillen (Lynn English), Chais Harriette (Cambridge), Ryan Higgins (Catholic Memorial), Trevor Jones (Duxbury), Justin LaChance (Plymouth South), Nick Lemmond (Marblehead), Javi Lopez (Central Catholic), Matt Mahoney (Norwood), Justin Marino (Medford), Brendan McDonald (Somerset Berkley), Jacob McLoughlin (Sharon), Chase Mello (Hingham), James Molloy (Marshfield), Buckley Moody (Malden Catholic), Pat Mulholland (Natick), Michael Mwaniki (Chelmsford), Koby Nguyen (North Quincy), Miles Nzui (Melrose), Derin Ongur (Lexington), Ben Paradis (Concord-Carlisle), Earl Pemberton (Methuen), Michael Porter (Scituate), Andrew Rivera (Milford), Cedric Rodriguez (Burlington), Tristan Rodriguez (Archbishop Williams), Troy Santos (Taunton), Colin Snyder (Haverhill), Brady Stevens (Weymouth), Teagan Swint (Newton North), Zach Wolinski (North Andover), Ivan Yhomby (BC High)
Source: www.bostonherald.com