Time for teams to state case
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The two-day, eight-game state semifinal basketball festival at the Garden and Worcester State begins this afternoon with Fenway and Coyle & Cassidy tangling in the Division 4 state girls basketball semifinal and culminates with the Div. 2 boys state semifinal tomorrow night between Tech Boston and North Andover.
Let’s look into the crystal ball and see which teams will make the final journey to Springfield this weekend:
DIVISION 1 BOYS
Everett vs. Mansfield, tonight, 7:30 at the Garden: Mansfield certainly earned its way here, knocking off a trio of talented teams in BC High, Newton North and Brockton to win the South. John McCoy has shown why he was the MVP of the Hockomock League, while Tyler Boulter is capable of having big nights as he did against BC High.
Everett captured its first sectional title since 1994 and Ghared Boyce is as good a scoring guard as there is in the state. Coach John DiBiaso’s decision earlier in the season to make Isaiah Likely a point forward has worked wonders.
Pick: Everett.
DIVISION 1 BOYS
Franklin vs. Springfield Central, tonight, 7:30 at Worcester State: These two met in one of the wildest state semifinals in tournament history last year. Franklin rallied from an eight-point deficit in the final 15.8 seconds of regulation to tie the score. Springfield Central appeared to have hit the game-winning shot at the buzzer, but it was waved off and Franklin won in overtime. Many of the same key players are back and this should be another terrific contest.
Pick: Springfield Central
DIVISION 2 BOYS
Tech Boston vs. North Andover, tomorrow, 7:30 at the Garden: North Andover comes in on a big-time high, having dethroned defending champion Brighton on a Kyle Moore 3-pointer with four seconds left, then dispatching Woburn 24 hours later to win its first sectional basketball title since 1975. Tech Boston rolled to the Boston City League title as well as the South crown behind the allaround play of Walter DewHollis, Maurice Works and Shamar Moore.
Pick: Tech Boston.
DIVISION 3 BOYS
Burke vs. Watertown, tomorrow, 4 at the Garden: Watertown returns to the state semifinals after turning in a defensive masterpiece in limiting St. Mary’s to just 36 points. John Korte is one of the more athletic bigs in the state, while outstanding point guard Julio Fulcar is healthy. Burke’s Levar Williams has few peers from long range, while McCarthy Akinkuoye and Bryan Desir are solid in the paint.
Pick: Burke.
DIVISION 4 BOYS
Pope John vs. Mashpee, today, 4 at the Garden: They won’t need a shot clock for this one as both teams love to get the ball up and down the floor. Mashpee will lean heavily on South Shore League MVP Anthony Gonsalves up front and speedy quick Devaun Ford in the backcourt. Pope John has been keyed by highscoring guard Angel PriceEspada.
Pick: Mashpee.
DIVISION 1 GIRLS
Central Catholic vs. Braintree, today, 5:45 at the Garden: Braintree is back in the state semifinals once again, defeating a talented Newton South squad in the South final. There seems to be a different hero for the Wamps every night, the latest being Adriana Timberlake (25 points against Newton South).
No team in the state received less recognition for winning 22 games than Central Catholic. Casey Grange and her staff have done a wonderful job getting the most out of a Raiders’ team that battled injuries throughout the season.
Pick: Braintree.
DIVISION 2 GIRLS
Foxboro vs. Pentucket, tomorrow, 5:45 at the Garden: Points will be at a premium in this one as both teams aren’t shy about digging in at the defensive end. Pentucket won the Cape Ann League and Div. 2 North title despite not having a player average more than 10 points a game. Foxboro successfully defended its South title and would love nothing better than to get past the Garden this time around.
Pick: Pentucket.
DIVISION 2 GIRLS
Hopkinton vs. Northampton, tomorrow, 5:30 at Worcester State: Northampton won its first sectional title in nine years behind the solid play of Amanda Mieczkowski and Emma Tanner, who combined for 40 points in the win over Tantasqua. They will be tested by a Hopkinton team which features one of the premier centers in Ivy Gogolin as well as forward Regan Keavany.
Pick: Hopkinton.
DIVISION 3 GIRLS
Bishop Fenwick vs. Archbishop Williams, tomorrow, 2:15 at the Garden: These two Catholic Central Large teams know each other well, squaring off twice during the regular season with Archbishop Williams winning both times. Bishop Fenwick has overcome some injuries and played its best ball down the stretch, but the Bishops are certainly tournament-tested. Guard Asiah Dingle is one of the top five players in the state and will be a factor.
Pick: Archbishop Williams.
DIVISION 4 GIRLS
Fenway vs. Coyle & Cassidy, today, 2:15 at the Garden: Coyle & Cassidy coach Mike O’Brien isn’t afraid to schedule up during the season and that certainly helped his team Saturday. The Warriors beat defending champion Cathedral at its own game, outscoring the Panthers, 83-77, to capture the South title. Fenway went through a tough semifinal against Mystic Valley, then rolled over Lowell Catholic 24 hours later to defend its North title.
Pick: Coyle & Cassidy.