When the sector hockey state match kicks off its third 12 months below the brand new system Thursday, there’s an simple parallel between the Div. 1 and Div. 3 brackets that attracts intrigue.
Every 12 months there may be parity. But for as assured as top-seeded Walpole (D1) and Watertown (D3) ought to be with their probabilities of securing the crown, there’s an unpredictable steadiness positive to shake issues up.
Div. 1
The stars have aligned for Walpole (17-1) to avenge consecutive losses within the state ultimate, set in a collision course with No. 2 Andover (15-2) to satisfy within the title recreation for a 3rd straight 12 months. The Porkers have an edge this time. But the one workforce they misplaced to (Uxbridge) fell to the Golden Warriors, who’re clicking for a possible three-peat.
From there may be an intensive tree of groups related by beating each other. No. 6 Central Catholic (14-2-1) topped Andover early to indicate they’re able to a Final Four run, however a No. 3 Wachusett (13-1-4) workforce it tied is anchored by expertise. Chalk has them assembly within the state quarterfinals, although getting previous No. 11 Belmont or No. 14 Barnstable gained’t be straightforward.
No. 5 Acton-Boxboro (13-4-1) additionally beat Andover, however shares a blemish with No. 4 Franklin (17-0-1) towards No. 8 Bishop Feehan. No. 12 Needham (13-5), No. 13 Winchester (13-5) and No. 20 Chelmsford (5-9-3) are sleepers, however A-B and Franklin look primed to satisfy within the quarterfinals.
Bishop Feehan (11-5-1) has settled right into a rhythm since a blowout loss to Walpole and will give them bother. First they get an opportunity for revenge for an upset loss to No. 9 King Philip, although the Warriors search for the subsequent step themselves.
No. 7 Algonquin, No. 10 Concord-Carlisle, No. 15 Wellesley and No. 16 Lincoln-Sudbury may additionally flip heads.
Div. 3
Watertown (17-0) enters its bid for a three-peat because the clear title favourite on a 70-game win streak and 37-game shutout streak. Around them will likely be havoc.
Six of final 12 months’s state quarterfinal groups are ranked within the prime eight, every stronger than final 12 months.
No. 2 Newburyport (17-1) adopted up a shock journey to the Final Four with a dominant common season. An emotional rematch with No. 7 Gloucester (13-3-2) from final 12 months’s Elite 8 is chalked out.
There gained’t be a rematch between Sandwich and Watertown within the state ultimate for a 3rd straight 12 months, however the No. 4 Knights (17-0-1) returned signature items to satisfy the Raiders for a fierce semifinal. No. 5 Foxboro (15-2-1) acquired a heavy dose of contenders within the common season that Sandwich didn’t, although, which may imply it’s sure for the Final Four as an alternative. No. 12 Swampscott (11-5-2) and No. 13 Weston (11-4-3) aren’t any afterthoughts.
Loaded No. 3 Dover-Sherborn (14-2-2) avoids Watertown till the state ultimate, however No. 6 Falmouth (10-5-3) stands in the way in which as the one workforce to not lose to Sandwich. The Clippers look to make some noise of their new division, although No. 22 Hanover could also be a major sleeper. No. 14 North Reading isn’t a simple out both.
Strong goalies make an enormous distinction to down a perennial juggernaut like Watertown, and the Raiders may run into a number of. Gianna Triangle of No. 17 St. Mary’s (11-4-2) and Megan McGinnity of No. 9 Danvers (13-2-3) stand out, and each defenses have restricted opponents.
Div. 2
The suspense doesn’t look as dramatic right here, however don’t confuse that for a scarcity of elite motion. While they’ve dominated a lot of the method, neither No. 1 Reading (17-1) or No. 2 Norwood (16-2) is a shoe-in to satisfy within the ultimate.
The Rockets’ second spherical can be towards No. 16 Nashoba or No. 17 Masconomet. Both reached the Final Four in 2021 and 2022. No. 8 Canton appears to be like like an upset candidate by beating Norwood within the common season finale, however that’s if it could get previous 2021 state champion No. 9 Westwood.
A second-round matchup for the Mustangs doubtlessly holds No. 15 Notre Dame Academy of Hingham, which has been aggressive in a troublesome schedule. A TVL rematch with No. 7 Hopkinton is feasible within the quarterfinals. No. 10 Doherty additionally appears to be like harmful.
No. 3 Somerset Berkley (17-0-1) rolled previous most as a powerful Final Four candidate. A battle of unbeatens towards No. 6 Dartmouth (17-0) is feasible within the quarterfinals, however No. 14 Oliver Ames and reigning champion No. 11 Longmeadow spell bother.
No. 4 Hingham (15-2-1) is able to make its mark within the new division and can see acquainted Patriot League foes till the quarterfinal. No. 12 Leominster is a sleeper, although, and No. 5 Minnechaug has massive wins on its resume.
Div. 4
No. 1 Uxbridge (17-1) appears to be like to have the tightest grip of any prime seed, carrying wins over Walpole, Bishop Feehan, Acton-Boxboro, King Philip and Foxboro. Their forged of younger stars has them primed for a three-peat, although something can occur.
No. 3 Monomoy misplaced 6-0 to Uxbridge, however misplaced 6-1 within the common season final 12 months earlier than taking the Spartans to double time beyond regulation within the state semifinal. The Sharks (13-2-3) are loaded for a crack at Uxbridge within the ultimate. No. 2 Manchester-Essex (14-1-3) is Newburyport’s solely loss and navigated a troublesome Cape Ann League to additionally stand as a ultimate menace.
Senior-less No. 4 Sutton (13-3-2) hopes to journey its grass subject all the way in which to at the least the Final Four. No. 5 Case (14-1-1) was unbeaten a lot of the season and is bound to place forth an excellent run. Pesky No. 12 Frontier stands in the way in which if it could get previous No. 21 Westport.
No. 6 Lunenburg (15-1-2) is a gifted group to doubtlessly ship Monomoy residence early. No. 8 Cohasset (11-6-1), No. 10 Lynnfield (11-7-2), No. 11 Clinton (18-0), No. 14 Nantucket (9-5-3), No. 15 St. John Paul II (11-2-4) and No. 23 Ipswich (4-8-6) could all be sleepers.
Predictions
Div. 1
Champion – No. 1 Walpole
Final Four – No. 1 Walpole, No. 2 Andover, No. 4 Franklin, No. 6 Central Catholic
Sleepers – No. 10 Concord-Carlisle, No. 12 Needham
Potential Upset – No. 19 Shrewsbury over No. 14 Barnstable
Best First-Round Matchup – No. 16 Lincoln-Sudbury vs No. 17 Braintree
Div. 2
Champion – No. 1 Reading
Final Four – No. 1 Reading, No. 2 Norwood, No. 3 Somerset Berkley, No. 4 Hingham
Sleepers – No. 8 Canton, No. 12 Leominster
Potential Upset – No. 12 Leominster over No. 5 Minnechaug
Best First-Round Matchup – No. 16 Nashoba vs No. 17 Masconomet
Div. 3
Champion – No. 1 Watertown
Final Four – No. 1 Watertown, No. 2 Newburyport, No. 3 Dover-Sherborn, No. 5 Foxboro
Sleepers – No. 7 Gloucester, No. 6 Falmouth
Potential Upset – No. 22 Hanover over No. 11 NDA (W)
Best First-Round Matchup – No. 14 North Reading vs No. 19 Oakmont
Div. 4
Champion – No. 1 Uxbridge
Final Four – No. 1 Uxbridge, No. 2 Manchester-Essex, No. 3 Monomoy, No. 5 Case
Sleepers – No. 10 Lynnfield, No. 6 Lunenburg
Potential Upset – No. 21 Westport over No. 12 Frontier
Best First-Round Matchup – No. 10 Lynnfield vs No. 23 Ipswich
Source: www.bostonherald.com