A half-dozen squads from the Northeastern Conference and one from the Cape Ann League are out to make boys basketball history for their respective schools.
Seven clubs from The Salem News readership area have qualified for postseason play, each with dreams seeing their fans rush the court to celebrate a state title with them.
Masconomet grabbed the No. 7 seed in Division 2. The NEC champions await the winner of a preliminary round game between Hopkinton (13-7) and Somerville (10-10), whom they’ll host in a first round matchup in Boxford.
Junior guard Jimmy Farrell averages 19 points a game for Masconomet while leading the North Shore in assists per game (6.2). Big man Jamason Vella leads the region in rebounds a night (10.5) and averages a double-double with 13.4 ppg.; Devin O’Brien (11.8) also averages double figures in scoring while dishing out 3.8 assists a night and draining 38 three-pointers. Thomas Denton (7.8 rpg, 3.2 apg) and Hunter Rossi (6.3 rpg.) also get after it for the Chieftains on a nightly basis.
Another No. 7 seed is Salem in Division 3. The Witches went 16-4 during the regular season and will look to add to that win total starting with a first round matchup at Veterans Memorial Fieldhouse against either the 26th ranked High School of Science and Technology (9-11) or 39th seeded North Reading (11-9).
Sophomore guard Elian Rodriguez is fifth in the region in points per game (22.4) for Salem, someone who can create his own shot whether he’s slashing to the basket or pulling up from anywhere on the floor. Nate Lane (13.8) and Canei Mcleod (13.3) are two other excellent offensive options who can go off at any time; all told, the three Witches have hit 138 three-pointers this winter. Rocco Ryan (7.3) and Lane (6.0) are relentless on the glass, with Lane (5.5) and Rodriguez (4.2) among the area’s leading assist men.
Swampscott No. 11 in Division 3, and Hamilton-Wenham, ranked No. 12 in Division 4, also earned first round home games.
The Big Blue (13-7) will no doubt scout the preliminary round contest between 22nd ranked Apponequet (9-11) and No. 43 Ludlow (10-10) to get a good look at who their first round opponent will be. Connor Chiarello’s 24.3 points a game led the NEC and were second in the region. Teddy O’Neill (15.7 ppg.) can also score the basketball; both he and Chiarello average more than three assists as well.
A strong 15-5 regular season for the Generals has them playing host to 21st Cathedral (11-8) out of Boston in a first round matchup Friday night. Cam Schrock (13.9 ppg., 8.6 rpg.) and AB Labell (12.9 ppg, 8.3 rpg., 64 three-pointers) are multi-dimensional threats, with Alex Menegoni (5.8) and Labell (5.3) also skillful at dishing the rock.
Beverly and Peabody will hit the road in Division 1, with the 23rd seeded Panthers (14-6) travelling to No. 10 Newton North (16-4) Friday at 6:30 p.m. in a first round clash, while the Tanners (10-10) earned the 39th and final spot in the draw and square off against host 17-3 Barnstable, the 26th seed.
Junior guard and captain Jacob Klass powers the Panthers offensively; his 23.5 points per game is fourth-best in the region and his 66 made three-pointers are second overall. He also averages 3.5 assists per game for a team that is putting up an even 70 points a night. Isaac Saas (8.1), senior captain Will Ryan (6.7) and Andrew Bragnaca (6.1) are all rebounding menaces for opponents to deal with.
Jariel Tolentino averages a team-best 17.4 points for Peabody, which qualified for the postseason in its final game. Jimmy Festa, a 285-pound senior, does yeoman’s work under the boards (8.5 rpg.) while freshman Thad Broughton can score and dish (2.9 apg., 29 three-pointers). Mark Mendonca has drained 38 shots of his own from beyond the arc.
As the No. 36 seed in Division 2, Marblehead (11-9) will be on the road Monday at No. 29 Archbishop Williams (10-10) for a preliminary round game. Finn Baron’s 13.0 ppg. leads the Magicians offensively while Sam Thompson checks in with 12.2 ppg. and nine rebounds a night. Matt Sherf is the squad’s long range bombardier, having hit 41 three-pointers.