The MIAA released its first power rankings for the winter season on Friday, and a number of local teams are in the early mix for postseason berths.
Here’s a breakdown by sport on where our Cape Ann area squads landed in the initial seedings.
Please note: Records listed are ones reported at time of rankings release on Friday. Some records may not be accurate due to Friday night and weekend games.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Division 3Top two seeds: Taconic (7-2) and Pittsfield (6-5)
Local team in mix: No. 64 Gloucester (3-7)
The Fishermen fall well outside the top 32, but have been playing some better basketball of late and could swiftly move up the rankings with some conference wins. If they’re going to realistically fight for a playoff spot, reaching the 10-win mark will likely be the easiest way to do that.
Division 4 Top two seeds: Wareham (7-2) and Millbury (7-2)
Local team in mix: No. 6 Manchester Essex (7-0)
One of the lone unbeaten teams remaining in the state, the Hornets have been utterly dominant this winter. Their win over Ipswich on Friday night moved them to 8-0, and it was another double-digit victory which bodes well for the rankings moving forward. With a couple more triumphs this coming week, don’t be surprised to see Cade Furse, Eddie Chareas and Co. jump up into the top 5.
Division 5
Top two seeds: New Mission (5-1) and Hoosac Valley (6-1)
Local team in mix: No. 24 Rockport (5-3)
The Vikings have enjoyed one of their best starts in the past decade, with Friday night’s win over Amesbury pushing them to 6-3 on the year. They’re well inside the qualifying top 32 at this juncture, and considering the way they’ve been playing — Josiah Whitley, Chase Wheat and Ed Merz have all been terrific — they have every opportunity to improve upon that as the season rolls on.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Division 3Top two seeds: Medway (6-2) and Watertown (4-2)
Local team in mix: No. 32 Gloucester (3-6)
Despite a losing record, the Fishermen’s strength of schedule has them right on the cut line in the initial rankings. Gloucester has been playing some solid hoop of late; don’t be surprised to see them start to generate some more wins. Jordan Purdue del Torchio has been a scoring machine for the Fishermen.
Division 4
Top two seeds: Cathedral (7-2) and Tyngsborough (8-1)
Local team in mix: No. 8 Manchester Essex (6-2)
Just like their male counterparts, the Hornets have quietly strung together a stellar campaign. They beat Ipswich on Friday night to pick up their seventh win of the year, with Harper Brooks (17 points) this time leading what’s been a balanced offensive attack all season.
Division 5
Top two seeds: Hoosac Valley (5-1) and West Boylston (7-1)
Local team in mix: No. 33 Rockport (7-4)
The Vikings have a positive average margin, but their strength of schedule hasn’t done them any favors. Still, the squad is right on the bubble for a tournament berth, and if the season ended today they would get in due to being over .500.
BOYS HOCKEY
Division 2Top two seeds: Concord-Carlisle (9-0) and Canton (7-0-1)
Local team in mix: No. 5 Gloucester (6-3)
Thanks to some impressive wins thus far the Fishermen find themselves in the top 5 to start. A current three-game losing streak, however, has them sitting at 6-4 now heading into Monday’s MLK Day clash at Woburn. With plenty of talent up and down the lineup — including 100 career point scorers Colby Jewell and Brett Cunningham — all signs point to Gloucester turning things back around down the regular season stretch.
Division 4
Top two seeds: Winthrop (7-0) and Nantucket (6-1)
Local team in mix: No. 21 Rockport (3-6)
The Vikings are comfortably inside the top 32 for now, with big games looming against Swampscott and Beverly this week. Head coach Garrett Stevens, whose team fell to Amesbury in OT over the weekend, has relied upon a stout defensive front that includes Nick Nocella, Elijah Greenberg, Evan Haughey and Ryan Dolaher.
GIRLS HOCKEY Division 2
Top two seeds: Duxbury (8-1) and Falmouth (8-1)
Local team in mix: No. 15 Gloucester (8-2)
The Fishermen have been extremely impressive this winter, with Saturday’s 1-1 tie against Winthrop putting them at 8-2-1 on the year. Goalie Kayden Cusamano has been one of the top last lines of defense in the league, Jenna Connelly continues to lead the North Shore and Cape Ann area in scoring, and Abby Lowthers, Keagan Jewell and Lily Pregent have all come up with some huge points.