From a woeful .357, up to a .586, down to a .544, back up to a .617, and now back down below .600 – the crystal ball’s win-percentage roller-coaster continues its rocky ride in a parity-ridden season.
Just when we think we have a good idea of who’s going to start separating themselves, we’re reminded that few might actually be able to do that until the state tournament. Especially for the Div. 1 boys. For Natick to edge out a 3-2 win over Braintree, to then tie Andover and lose to Franklin – all while Braintree heads west and takes down No. 1 Pope Francis – says it all. And if that’s not enough, just take a peak at Sunday’s Catholic Conference Showdown, or the revolving door that is the Middlesex League Liberty.
All we can do is continue to point out what matchups are most signature, and enjoy the show. Monday’s MLK Day slate was an excellent start to the week. What follows is quite a few major stops in various league title races, as well as a good mix of nonleague state title contenders matching up.
Implications galore.
LAST WEEK’S RECORD: 6-7-1
OVERALL RECORD: 41-28-5 (.588)
WINNERS in caps
BOYS
WEDNESDAY
Whitman-Hanson at DUXBURY, 5:20 p.m. – The Dragons are surging since they lost to Whitman-Hanson earlier and dropped to 0-6. Duxbury is 4-1-1 since, though the Panthers (6-2-2) haven’t slowed from a hot start.
Dedham at MEDWAY, 6 p.m. – Overtime finish in Round 1, won by Dedham. Teams ranked No. 2 and No. 3 in the latest Div. 4 power rankings. A chance to even the score for Medway. What else could you ask for?
BILLERICA at Chelmsford, 6:10 p.m. – Rivalry week continues for the unbeaten Indians, who come off an emotional win over Tewksbury on Monday. Lions are 6-1-1 since losing 5-1 to Billerica in early December. There should be plenty of juice here.
Xaverian at CATHOLIC MEMORIAL, 7 p.m. – Hawks posted a signature win over St. John’s Prep in the Catholic Conference Showcase on Sunday to stay in the hunt for the conference title, trailing CM and SJP by three points. Second round of conference play starts up, every win here is major. Knights look to keep pace with the Eagles at the top.
SATURDAY
MARBLEHEAD at Winthrop, 2:30 p.m. – Both teams enter Wednesday unbeaten in the Northeastern Conference. Both also rank in the top-five of their respective divisions in the latest MIAA power rankings. They also split the series last year, and this is just Round 1.
Arlington Catholic at ST. MARY’S (L), 6 p.m. – Big week for Arlington Catholic, playing Archbishop Williams on Wednesday before St. Mary’s. The Cougars’ loss to the Spartans is their only Catholic Central League loss entering Wednesday. The two are tied atop the league standings. Win or loss to Archies, the league title could come down to this.
CONCORD-CARLISLE at Waltham, 7 p.m. – Before the Patriots head into the Ed Burns Coffee Pot Tournament, they get a red-hot Waltham group that could be on a seven-game win streak should it beat North Andover Wednesday. Only league loss for the Hawks this year is against Concord-Carlisle. Patriots have a chance to take the MVC/DCL II lead here.
Dracut/Tyngsboro at BEDFORD, 8 p.m. – The three-team race for the MVC/DCL III remains tight. Bucs with a chance to avenge their lone league loss at home.
SUNDAY
Ed Burns Coffee Pot Tournament – First round of the 16-team, three-week tournament between most of the state’s best public-school teams. Matchups come out Thursday. Stay tuned.
GIRLS
WEDNESDAY
WESTWOOD at Canton, 5 p.m. – Toughest test of the year so far for unbeaten Westwood. Great measuring stick for the Bulldogs against the MIAA’s top-ranked Div. 2 team in the latest power rankings.
Nauset at FALMOUTH, 5 p.m. – We’re 0-2 picking against Falmouth so far this year. The Clippers are the only Cape and Islands League team still unbeaten in league play. Div. 2 implications here between top-10 teams in the latest power rankings.
MARSHFIELD at Milton, 7 p.m. – Div. 2 implications, indeed. Rams have been playing the Patriot League’s fellow elite teams well despite some losses, get a nonleague battle against another contender who’s hit a groove with six straight wins and ranks No. 5 as of Tuesday.
THURSDAY
CENTRAL CATHOLIC at Shawsheen/Bedford/Lowell, 5 p.m. – Raiders took Round 1 in overtime early in the year, currently hold the top spot in the MVC/DCL Small race without a league loss. A Shawsheen/Bedford/Lowell win keeps it in range with only two league losses.
SATURDAY
WINTHROP at Winchester, noon – Picking against Winchester hasn’t gone so well for the crystal ball this year, but the Vikings showed in an overtime loss to Methuen/Tewksbury they’re a strong threat to beat anyone. Yet, Winchester is far from a .500 team and is hardened by an unforgiving schedule. Great nonleague matchup.
Malden Catholic at NOTRE DAME ACADEMY (H), 1:50 p.m. – Div. 1 juggernauts collide. Cougars look for a signature bounce-back off a loss to unbeaten Hingham on Monday. Lancers can flex again as a TD Garden-capable power. Fun fact: NDA hasn’t lost twice in a row over the program’s last 46 games.
HPNA at Methuen/Tewksbury, 2 p.m. – Unbeaten Methuen/Tewksbury’s late heroics helped it play to a 2-2 tie against HPNA earlier in the year. HPNA will be hungry to seal the deal this time and pull within one point of the MVC/DCL Large-leading Red Rangers.
ST. MARY’S (L) at Bishop Stang, 3:30 p.m. – It’s been a rough start for the Spartans, but a two-game win streak heading into Wednesday’s matchup with Reading gives them some momentum. Bishop Stang has turned heads all year, and doubling-down on their earlier win over the reigning Div. 1 state champs would be major.