MIAA Midseason Report Part One

Wednesday, February 8th, 2023

In this article, we will profile various MIAA programs as the midway point is upon us.

Lawrence: 2023 big man Isaiah Ogunbare has been a consistent presence around the rim. His scoring and rebounding abilities have him averaging a double-double at the moment. Guard Marcus Canery has stood out so far. The 2023 prospect has a college ready frame, scores at multiple levels, and competes on the defensive end. Danny Reyes is another 2023 guard. He knows how to score in various ways but also prioritizes getting his teammates involved. 2025 guard Jonathan Ocasio has already earned minutes with his crafty shotmaking ability. 2023 guard Ryan Grunon is someone the defense cannot leave open from deep. 2023 prospects Nas Perez and Felix both contribute as scrappy defenders. 

Mansfield: WPI commit is a difficult matchup. He has 6’7 size and long-range shooting ability to space the floor. Big man Chris Hill is a veteran in the program. The 2023 prospect has soft touch as a finisher and can rebound on the defensive glass. 2024 guard Devon Sanders’ quickness is noticeable on both ends. He gets into the paint well and can be a pest guarding on the ball. 2024 wing Trevor Foley’s strength and competitiveness have translated onto the hardwood from the gridiron. 2024 shooting guard Eddie McCoy smooth shot from deep has consistently opened up driving lanes for others. The 2023 prospect also is a key cog in this squad’s success. The three-sport athlete has proven to be a constant threat to score in double figures.

Catholic Memorial: Malachi Bryant and Peter Gellene have been a lethal duo. Bryant, a 2023 guard, has a smooth pull-up game and uses quick hands to play-make on defense. Gellene, a 2024 guard, has done a terrific job of expanding his game to now be much more than just a shooter. Bryant averages 20 points with Gellene averaging 24.5 himself. Jake Cofield has asserted himself this season. The 2024 big man has length, strength, and gets after it in the paint. He had a triple-double of 17 points, 20 rebounds, and 10 blocks earlier this year. Guards Corey Dolison and Ryan Higgins have given this team a spark during key moments with their ability to space the floor from long-range. Another guard who has earned consistent minutes is 2024 prospect Matthew St. Martin. 

Malden Catholic: 2025 guard Matt Gaffney looks to be one of the top sophomores in the MIAA. He has a skillset that allows him to score in various ways but also feed his teammates for open shots. 2023 prospect Roger Vasquez has been a welcome addition. The guard excels with his potent mid-range game. 2023 guard Nick Martinez can really shoot it from beyond the arc while also defending well on the perimeter. 2024 wing Bo Moody is also an important part of the rotation. Along with Gaffney, he competes on the Adidas 3SSB circuit for Mass Rivals. Ben Howard and Messiah Johnson add more depth to this squad. Howard, a 2025 prospect, uses his 6’4 230 lb frame to be a constant paint presence. Johnson, a 2024 prospect, helps out on the defensive glass. 

Newton North: 6’8 big man Will Davis is back. The 2023 prospect’s blend of post scoring, rebounding, and a consistent motor makes him one of the MIAA’s tougher matchups. He had an impressive 10 points, 18 rebounds, and four blocks during the team’s HoopHall Classic win over Northwest Catholic. Ithaca commit Jose Padilla runs the show. The guard has toughness, leadership, and confidence to take big shots in crunch time. Padilla got game MVP honors in their HoopHall win, going for 21 points, 7 assists, and 6 rebounds. Also the quarterback on the football team, 2023 forward Adam Landry has formed a steady frontcourt duo with Davis. Brothers Matthew and Tyler Randall have been consistent contributors as well. Also a baseball player, 2023 forward Victor Caira’s experience and intensity on the defensive end have earned him key minutes. Guards Abraham Kifle and Dillon Taylor are ones to watch as well.