The 2024-25 campaign was a memorable one for Norwell in more ways than one. Led by a vaunted senior class, the Clippers blazed to a 25-0 record, winning their first state championship in program history by knocking off Old Rochester, 64-61, in the Div. 3 final.
Can John Willis’ group follow up with another epic campaign? There are plenty of new faces leading the charge this time, but the Clippers have already begun their latest run with promise. Expect players like Nick Fein and Bret Amorosino to take on critical roles.
“It’s a great group,” Norwell coach John Willis said. “It’s coaching. When you’ve been doing it a long time, you go through special groups, and this group was part of that part of that team. So they know. They watched those kids, they know what to do. We’ve worked hard in practice. They just need a little game experience and situational experience. I think we’re going to get better as the year goes on.”
Steve Carvalho has turned Old Rochester (15-10) into a successful program throughout his 20-year tenure. Last winter, the Bulldogs entered the Div. 3 playoffs as the No. 20 seed, then embarked on a miraculous Cinderella run to the state finals. He was later selected as the MBCA Coach of the Year. Junior Grady Oliveira (10 points per game, 14 in the state final) will lead a balanced team.
Could Shawsheen (18-3) be a Div. 3 team to watch again? Last season, the fourth-seeded Rams dropped a heartbreaker (59-57) to Norton in the Round of 32. However, Joe Gore’s team has started off strong this winter. With leaders like Adam Caruso and Dyllon Pratt, and rising stars like D’sean Moron and Nathan Smith, this team could be a threat come the postseason.
Other schools to keep an eye on in Div. 3 include Abington, which will lean on one of the state’s top players in Kingston Maxwell. Foxboro should be poised for a strong run. Hanover reached the Round of 8 and could make noise.
Can Georgetown (19-6) repeat its impeccable Div. 4 success after head coach Josh Kielty departed for St. Mary’s (Lynn)? It helps when a familiar face takes over a program. Kevin Fair steps in for his longtime friend, looking to carry on a similar tradition.
Senior guards Brendan Loewen and Irvin Zapata will lead the Royals as captains.
“For Josh, it was a hard decision for him,” said Fair. “We talked about it a lot. Part of his decision-making was: ‘You’re either going to come with me to St. Mary’s, or you’re the only one who can take this over.’ … I just had such a close connection with the guys, so it was a very easy transition when they offered me the job.”
An immediate favorite fans and pundits will be picking to possibly win the Div. 4 field is the Albert D. Holland School of Tech (formerly Burke). One of the state’s winningest programs in recent years, the Bulldogs (20-4) captured the Boston City League title, then made a run to the state semifinals before faltering to eventual runner-up Monument Mountain. Despite losing key pieces, they bring back premier standouts such as Ian Piper, Caleb Florence and Dale Samuels.
Last year, Manchester Essex (16-6) made a run to the Sweet 16. With so many key contributors like junior captains Graham Lewis and Alex Ste. Marie coming back, it’s very plausible to see this Cape Ann League power make a push. Wareham (12-12) improved as the season went along before making the Sweet 16 and returns multiple starters. Could the Vikings be a threat out of the South Coast Conference?
As always, fans should keep an eye out for Cathedral (12-9), which seemingly finds its way into contention every year. Geno Davis (12 points per game last year, 43% from three-point land) returns as a primary leader for the Panthers, and is already putting up incredible numbers this winter. The school also brought in a touted transfer from North Quincy High School – Aiden Burris (who averaged 13.5 points per game last year).
Pioneer Valley captured the Div. 5 title after finishing 25-0. However, significant losses to graduation and a coaching change has that program looking significantly different in 2025-26.
After coming up just short in last year’s final, however, Hopedale (22-3) has picked up right where it left off. This could very well be the team that ends up making a prolonged run.
Fenway will face a difficult schedule, but could be a challenger come playoff time. Old Colony and Avon will be teams to monitor out of the Mayflower Athletic Conference.
