It seems the offseason care of the crystal ball was about as poor as it comes. The opening week’s reading was ridden with dust, rust and mistrust, so we head into Week 2 with a forgettable, 5-9 record.
The good news is that all nine losses either came down to a close finish or were tight battles outside of one big period. The bad news is … there were nine losses.
Those nine teams deserve shoutouts for their victories, but a few triumphs are exceptional. The Walpole boys snapped a six-game losing streak to Braintree. The Hingham boys came out on top over St. John’s Prep despite missing their top scorer. The new-look St. Mary’s (L) girls showed they’re still a force to be reckoned with by beating Archbishop Williams, the Lincoln-Sudbury girls shined in their MVC/DCL Large debut, and the Falmouth girls made an early statement in the Cape and Islands League.
Well done to everyone. Now we’re turning the page, and this week’s picks brings a good reminder that the crystal ball doesn’t predict multiple games for one team in one week. Plenty of teams have a tough challenge on a nightly basis, but we look at just one.
LAST WEEK’S RECORD: 5-9
OVERALL RECORD: 5-9
**WINNERS in ALL CAPS
BOYS
Wednesday
CENTRAL CATHOLIC at Westford Academy, 5:50 p.m. – Raiders follow up a tie with Andover with a quality win against another Div. 1 threat.
CANTON at Franklin, 6 p.m. – The Panthers’ attack will be hard to match or contain, but the Bulldogs are well-versed in delivering big victories.
Weymouth at BRAINTREE, 6 p.m. – An absolute barn burner of a matchup last tournament, Wamps grind out what historically comes down to one score.
Hingham at CATHOLIC MEMORIAL, 7 p.m. – It’s against better judgement to pick against the Harbormen twice in a row, but discipline and defense puts CM ahead this round.
Thursday
St. John’s (S) at POPE FRANCIS, 6:40 p.m. – Cardinals begin their title defense in MIAA play with a bang against a highly regarded St. John’s group.
Friday
Norwell at SANDWICH, 7 p.m. – Hard to imagine the sour taste of last year’s overtime loss to the Clippers in the Div. 4 state final has faded much for Chris Cardillo & Co.
Saturday
Wellesley at NEEDHAM, 3 p.m. – Speaking of Bay State Conference rivals, Rockets take another leap forward at home.
GIRLS
Wednesday
MALDEN CATHOLIC at Peabody/Lynnfield/North Reading, 5:15 p.m. – PLNR brings back an experienced group as tough as any, but the Lancers continue to show their status as a serious Div. 1 threat.
Hingham at DUXBURY, 5:20 p.m. – As big of a matchup as they come between serious Div. 1 and Div. 2 title contenders. Edge goes to the reigning champs with Anna McGinty in net.
HPNA at METHUEN/TEWKSBURY, 6 p.m. – Red Rangers do enough on defense to earn the win.
NDA (H) at St. Mary’s (L), 6 p.m. – The reigning Div. 1 finalists are loaded on defense, but the Cougars bring enough on offense to pull it out.
Archbishop Williams at BISHOP FEEHAN, 7 p.m. – In a quick rematch, Shamrocks find what they needed to come out on the right side of the 2-1 finish from last time.
Lincoln-Sudbury at SHREWSBURY, 8:15 p.m. – Lincoln-Sudbury already gave plenty of reason not to pick against it, but the Colonials game plan as well as anyone and will be hungry following a loss to Andover.
Saturday
Burlington at FALMOUTH, 3 p.m. – Clippers are small in numbers, but not in talent.