Boys
Putnam's Kayjuan Bynum scores a game high 15 points including 8-8 from the free-throw line as Putnam wins its first state championship.
Girls
Central Catholic's Casey McLaughlin scores 27 as they get the win over Holy Name and become the Div. 1 state Champions.
Team
Congratulations to all boys and girls MIAA state champions on great seasons
D1 North/South Final - Braintree vs. Central Catholic
- Central has peaked at the right time after going through some struggles in the middle of the season. Casey McLaughlin will have to play huge for CC to have a chance and defensive rebounding will be key. Braintree has to get the ball inside and exploit their size advantage and Bridget Herlihy will just have to be her normal self. I like Braintree to end CC's run, 51-43.
D2 North/South Final - Reading vs. Medfield
- Every time I think Reading is about to get challenged and maybe lose one they prove me wrong. Olivia Healy just wills them to wins and this game will be no different. Medfield has had a nice playoff push, but Reading will be too much in this one. Reading by double digits 57-44.
D3 North/South Final - Archbishop Williams vs. Pentucket
- This will be the best girls game at the Garden. Two powerhouse teams who can play with anyone in any division, let's see if Archies can control the strong guard play of Kelsi McNamara and Coli Viselli. Both teams are battled tested and I think Archies will be able to contain the two and hold on in a nailbiter. AW 46-45.
D4 Final - Fenway vs. Greater New Bedford
- Taj Veiga-Lee has had an outstanding career at Fenway and much like Healy at Reading, she just does what it takes for her team to win. I predict triple-double numbers for her and a Fenway victory here, 47-37
D1 North/South Final - Mansfield vs. Central Catholic
- The match-up at the beginning of the season that most people picked (unfortunately we picked BC High to win the South right before the playoffs). Both teams are experienced, have star power (Hall for Mansfield, Nelson for Central Catholic), and are well coached. It's a simple game plan for Central: prevent Mansfield from shooting uncontested threes. When Mansfield shoots it well, they are hard to stop, but if any team can do it is CC. I think this will be a close one with Mansfield making enough shots to win close, 57-53.
D2 North/South Final - Brighton vs. Scituate
- Brighton is on a mission this year. They didn't play their best in the state championship last year and I think they will not let it happen again. Scituate has had a great run to the Garden, but I don't think they can match-up with Brighton's quickness and athleticism. Brighton by double digits in this one, 63-52.
D3 North/South Final - Danvers vs. Martha's Vineyard
- MV has something which can give Danvers trouble: length. Danvers relies on their perimeter shooting to be successful and if MV can contest threes from Clifford, Bates, and McKenna, they have a legit chance to knock off the defending champs. Eric Martin will be key for Danvers as he will have to make some open looks against the extended 2-3 zone of MV. The X factor in this game is experience. Danvers has been on this stage before and MV hasn't. MV will keep it close, but Danvers pulls away in the end, 65-56.
D4 Final - Bishop Connolly vs. Lynnfield
- Bishop Connolly has very good quickness at the guard positions and if they can turn Lynnfield over early it is BC's game. Lynnfield will have to control tempo and execute to win, but I don't think it will be enough, BC in a close one, 50-47
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