MIAA Basketball Top 25: Week 4

So, Cambridge is still pretty good, huh?

Our rankings of the best teams in the state, as selected by our panel of staff writers and correspondents. (Updated 1/9)

1. Needham (6-0; Last Week - 1) A 24-point performance versus Milton has Rockets’ star Thomas Shaughnessy on the verge of 1,000 for his career.

2. St. John's Prep (5-1; Last Week - 2) The Eagles get wins over a tough Winchester team and Division 2 contender Arlington to grab the label of Catholic Conference favorite.

3. Lowell (7-0; Last Week - 3) Alex Rivera simply cannot be stopped.

4. Cambridge (7-0; Last Week - 5) New Year, same result for Cambridge, as wins over Brookline and Newton South have upped the Falcons' winning streak to 52.

5. Brockton (7-0; Last Week - 7) Boxers were idle last week, but certainly have the talent and resume of a top five team.

6. Tech Boston (6-0; Last Week - 6) After nearly a two week layoff, the Bears are back in action this Thursday against West Roxbury.

7. Franklin (4-1; Last Week - 11) It will not count towards their record come postseason time, but the Panthers proved in their 74-60 win over Catholic Memorial they are as tough as anyone when they shoot well from the outside.

8. BC High (4-1; Last Week - 8) Eagles were off last week due to a snow cancellation, but will begin the brunt of their schedule this week.

9. Mansfield (6-1; Last Week - 9) Justin Vine is fitting quite nicely into Mike Vaughan’s rotation.

10. Lynn Classical (5-0; Last Week - 12) Preseason hype has turned into in-season success for the Bulldogs.

11. Newton North (4-2; Last Week - 10) A matchup with No. 4 Cambridge on Friday night will indicate whether the Tigers have hit their stride.

12. Central Catholic (4-2; Last Week - 5) Raiders were just the latest victim of teams trying to contain Alex Rivera.

13. O’Bryant (5-0; Last Week – 14) January tests versus St. John’s Prep and Catholic Memorial will reveal just how good these Tigers are.

14. Springfield Central (7-0; Last Week - 15) Golden Eagles continue their climb up the poll following wins over Chicopee and Yonkers Saunders Trade & Tech. (NY).

15. Burke (7-0; Last Week - 17) Bulldogs have proven they can compete with anyone.

16. Everett (4-1; Last Week - 13) Crimson Tide with an opening to pick up some needed wins.

17. Bishop Stang (6-0; Last Week - 24) Going on the road is proving to be no issue for the Spartans.

18. Brookline (4-2; Last Week - 16) Valiant effort by the Warriors against Cambridge without star Chris Camille.

19. Lawrence (7-1; Last Week - NR) Between Luis Reynoso and Juan Felix-Rodriguez, the Lancers are long, quick, athletic, and can score with the best in Massachusetts.

20. Springfield Putnam (6-0; Last Week - 21) The Beavers sure look to be on a mission to recapture the Division 1 West crown.

21. Arlington (5-1; Last Week - 20) Spy Ponders will have to quickly turn the page on a tough loss to St. John’s Prep, with tough league opponents Lexington and Winchester on the horizon.

22. St. Mary’s (Lynn) (4-1; Last Week - 18)  Spartans came back in the second half, but fell just short in a thrilling 49-44 loss at Lynn Classical on Dec. 29.  

23. Hingham (5-1; Last Week - 23) The Harbormen were off over New Years’ week but dive back into Patriot League play this week.

24. Maynard (5-0; Last Week - 22) Tigers keep on rolling with a marquee matchup against St. Mary’s looming on Martin Luther King day.

25. Foxboro (7-1; Last Week - NR) Warriors are new to this week’s poll, as they have won seven in a row since losing to Mansfield to begin the season.

First 10 Out: Attleboro (5-1), Catholic Memorial (4-3), New Bedford (4-1) Brighton (2-3), Bedford (7-1), Cardinal Spellman (4-1), Lynn English (5-1), Marlboro (5-1), Wellesley (6-2), Whitman-Hanson (4-1)