2026 MIAA Championships Recap

Nick Cozzolino | Tuesday, March 31st, 2026

There was no shortage of storylines across Massachusetts this March, as the MIAA State Tournament delivered one of the most unpredictable, exciting Championship weekends in recent years. From a #14 seed making history in Division I to multiple come from behind victories and dominant second-half runs, the Tourney was thrilling from start to finish. In the end, Bishop Feehan, St. Mary’s, Salem, Wareham, and Hoosac Valley all became MIAA State Champions. 

 

Division I 

#14 seed Bishop Feehan pulled off one of the most significant upsets in MIAA history, upsetting #1 seed Central Catholic 66-63 to win the program’s first State Title in its first State Championship appearance. Feehan trailed 33-29 at halftime but flipped the script in the third quarter, sparked by a Brody Bumila dunk. Central Catholic made its final push behind Javier Lopez, who scored 13 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter. Lopez’s scoring brought the deficit to one late, but Feehan’s composure and rim protection held up down the stretch. Bumila dominated with 36 points, along with 20 rebounds and 5 blocks, while Jake Webster added 13 points. Lopez’s 30 and Jeremiah Almanzar’s 11 led Central Catholic, but the headline of this story was Feehan’s historic run through the Division 1 bracket. 

 

Division II

St. Mary’s edged Masconomet 59-58 in a dramatic finish that came down to the wire. St. Mary’s built a double-digit halftime lead and carried a commanding 47-40 lead into the fourth quarter, but Masconomet responded late, taking the lead in the final minute behind clutch free throws from Thomas Denton. The game ended in thrilling fashion with Rolky Brea-Arias who scored the winning basket on a strong finish to the rim with less than15 seconds remaining. Masconomet had one last chance with a Jimmy Farrell contested baseline fade-away that came up short at the buzzer. Brea-Arias led St. Mary’s with 14 points, while Farrell led all scorers with 18. This thrilling victory was St. Mary’s sixth State Title, showing that an experienced group knows how to lean on late game execution to close out strong and win an extremely tight, hard fought battle.

 

Division III

Salem used a dominant second quarter and strong defense late in the game to take down #1 seed Hanover 57-51 and secure its first State Championship since 1995. After a tight 1st quarter, Salem erupted for 23 points in the second to take a 39-26 halftime lead. That scoring run just before half gave them enough cushion to resist Hanover’s second-half push. Hanover cut the deficit to 2 late in the fourth, but Salem responded with aggressive defense down the stretch, highlighted by a crucial steal from Cesar Castillo on an inbounds pass with just under 20 seconds left. Elian Rodriguez led the way with 27 points, including four threes, while Nate Lane added 12. Hanover was powered by Ryan Mutschler’s 22 points and Cole Madden’s 13. Hanover’s relentless effort was no match for Salem’s first-half burst and late-game composure. 

 

Division IV 

Wareham rallied from a nine-point halftime deficit to defeat defending Champion Georgetown 80-73, getting its third State Title in four years. Georgetown controlled much of the first half, leading 41-32 at the break. After half, Wareham erased that lead with a strong third quarter and carried that momentum into a high-scoring late stretch. Aaron Cote led the comeback effort with 31 points, while Malikhi Tavares added 20 points and Amare Rose chipped in 16. Georgetown stayed competitive behind Jomar Terrero’s 18 points and Brendan Loewen’s 16, but Wareham’s steady, offensive flow and consistent scoring in the second half were just too much. 

 

Division V

Division V delivered the highest scoring battle of the weekend as Hoosac Valley pulled away from Holbrook 91-76. Tied at 38 at the half, Hoosac Valley broke the game open with a 30-point third quarter, led by Qwanell Bradley and Adan Wicks. Bradley dominated with 33 points and 20 rebounds, while Wicks finished with 29 points and seven threes. Terrell Johnson's interior presence was also a huge factor.  Johnson finished with a double-double of 15 points and 18 rebounds. He and Bradley controlled the glass throughout the second half.  Holbrook was led by a massive 40-point performance from Allen Brown and 24 points from Odens Massillon, but that wasn’t enough.  The physicality of Hoosac Valley and their dominance on the boards created too many second-chance opportunities and separation from Holbrook.

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