The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association tells us that basketball season is officially over, and that we’re now on to spring sports.
But true ballers never stop working on their game.
Here are eight players from our region that we’re eager to see how their game evolves before next season begins. Eight months of working on their craft, pushing themselves during the summer months, and striving to better themselves should produce some interesting results in 2025-26.
Caitlin Boyle, Bishop Fenwick
Already a stellar player — arguably the best in the region — Boyle could truly become one of Fenwick’s all-time greats by the time she plays her last game on 99 Margin Street. She’s a terrific passer and shooter who averaged 16.7 points a game this winter. But by bringing even more confidence and aggressiveness with her to the paint, she could easily be a 20-point, 10-rebound a night menace.
The 6-foot-2 forward from Beverly has the athleticism and talent to score at will against most foes; bringing a more physical style to the court with her would only enhance those offensive traits. It’s an area of her game that Boyle will no doubt work on during the summer months and make her even more enticing to the bevy of Division 1 college programs courting her services. Both Boyle (738 career points) and her fellow junior captain, Celia Neilson (791 points), should easily crack 1,000 their senior seasons.
For Boyle, Guiding her school to its first state title since 2016 would be the perfect ending to a superb four years at Fenwick.
Tessa Andriano, Marblehead
After a strong junior campaign that saw her lead the Magicians in points-per-game (11.3), rebounds (6.3) and three-pointers made (30) — and being among the best players on the North Shore in scoring and long-range shooting — it feels as though Andriano gave us an appetizer of what she’s capable of on the hardcourt, and that the main course will come next season.
Head coach Paul Moran raves about Andriano’s shooting ability, work ethic and basketball IQ, calling her “one of the best three-point shooters I’ve ever had.” Watch her play and it’s easy to see why; she doesn’t force shots but rather gets herself into good position to receive a pass and let it fly from deep before a defender can get a hand in her face. Her on-court awareness and defensive tenacity are also hallmarks of the Marblehead captain’s all-around game.
Aliana Ryan, Peabody
A speedy guard with strong footwork and on-court vision, this junior showed she could contribute to the Tanners in a number of ways this winter. She finished second on the team in scoring (7.4 ppg.), dished out a team-best three assists per game, and also drained the most three-pointers (22). An expanded role in the offense next winter should see Ryan’s totals in each of those categories only grow.
Ryan, along with fellow senior-to-be Sophia Coburn, are both captain material and will be key cogs as Peabody strives to climb the Northeastern Conference standings and return to the postseason in 2025-26.
Infinity Burns, Beverly
While the amount of victories accumulated by the Panthers weren’t what they were hoping for, Burns certainly left her mark on the court as a tireless worker with skill and tenacity. She was fearless under the boards, grabbing by far the most rebounds on the team (183, a 9.1 per-game average) and also had a knack for picking the pocket of her foes by coming up with 40 steals, also tops among BHS hoopers.
Burns’ athleticism and strength gives her the opportunity to continue her upward ascension as a difference maker in 2025-26, when she’ll be a junior. Look for both her skills and her role as a team leader continue to develop. This is a player with a very high ceiling.
Kyla Moroney, Danvers
The Falcons knew they had something special in Moroney when she was named MVP of the junior varsity squad as a freshman, then went on to start for the DHS varsity softball team. When this past basketball season rolled around, she impressed her coaches from the get-go. Early season injuries to some teammates allowed her to step into a starting role, and Moroney delivered in the post with games of 18 and 16 points, respectively.
Finding consistency will only help Moroney improve as she gears up for her 11th grade campaign. An extremely coachable athlete, putting in the work in the offseason will do wonders for her game such creating a target for herself with her back to the basket, developing an extended jump shot from the foul line, and the like. Her natural athleticism should morph into Moroney being more of a physical presence next winter, too.
Shaye Vella, Masconomet
To hear the Chieftains’ coaching staff tell it, Vella’s evolution on the court has been nothing short of remarkable. After showing her ability to scoring in the post as a freshman, her repertoire expanded this past season as a sophomore backup center, when she became a game-changer. Vella developed a three-point shot, her basketball IQ increased, and her timing and positioning helped her become one of the team’s defensive pillars. She also learned to read zone defenses better and identify open teammates to get them the ball.
As a player who can score in quick bursts, the coaches are eager to see how much more Vella has improved when the first day of practice for 2025-26 rolls around in late November. She should be able to elevate her game to new heights, particularly on both the offensive and defensive glass as well as in the scoring column. Achieving nightly double-doubles could become commonplace for Vella.
Natalie Elder, Ipswich
A winless campaign isn’t what the Tigers envisioned in 2024-25 despite the many new faces on their roster. If there was a silver lining, though, it’s that many underclassmen received a baptism by fire in terms of learning what it takes to compete at the varsity level. As a talented player at both ends of the floor Elder certainly blossomed in that role, particularly as the season wore on.
A 5-foot-10 freshman center, Elder didn’t play much in Ipswich’s first four games before being used much more regularly after that. That extra playing time saw her average 7.9 rebounds a game. Elder also turned in a pair of double-double performances: 17 points and 13 rebounds against their arch rivals from Hamilton-Wenham, and another contest in which she scored a dozen points and pulled down 10 boards. It feels like she’s just scratching the surface of her potential for IHS.
Margot Bryce Morris, Hamilton-Wenham
There’s a reason that Bryce Morris will be a captain next year as a senior: she’s not only productive when her number is called, but she’s also a selfless player who’ll always put the team first. That was evident this winter when she came off the Generals’ bench to provide a spark; she scored between 12-to-14 points several times despite playing just 16 minutes on average. She’s certainly ready for a bigger role on next year’s team.
A smart, versatile player with height, she can hit 3-pointers, mid-range jumpers, post up inside and even bring the rock upcourt. Making it a point to work on refining her post moves and outside shot this summer will certainly help round out her game; so will becoming more assertive and aggressive. Hamilton-Wenham will be looking for her to replace graduating teammate Sasha Makogonov‘s production at both ends of the floor, and it’ll be exciting to see the complete package that Bryce Morris brings to the table in 2025-26.
Contact Phil Stacey
@PhilStacey_SN