Coach Storm’s EMass Top 30

Written by Tom Hellen

at 12-31-10

 Somerville, MA – Random Rim Ramblings – Okay now we have some actual games under our belts to get a more accurate handle on the best teams. Andover is certainly living up to their hype…so is Central Catholic despite the loss to Andover. Durfee is struggling and Somerville is big time…Anyone else miss the EMass website that was so detailed last year with scores and all besides me? Wish they were back…though the Globe is doing a great job so far and it is up to the coaches to get the scores into the papers…never understand in this day and age of instant communications how a score DOESN’T get in the papers. I read where in Arlington if your kid plays 3 sports the athletic fee is capped at $1,600…wow…lot of bucks to play sports nowadays and it will get worse as the state faces a $2 billion deficit come July 1^st so local aid will get chopped big time again…No offense to league play but I love the Xmas and February Tourneys where teams play against non-league, out-of-state, and intersectional type clubs…gives you a much better sense of who the power clubs are…though Braintree’s win in OT over Newton North at home and Westford going on the road to knock off L-S were surely very interesting league games. Brianna Hunt’s concussion in that Braintree loss certainly has hurt Newton North’s offense…just goes to show how fragile high school team’s can be where the loss of your best player can really impact everything…D1 South is shaping up to be one very tough road to get to the Garden with 9 teams in my attempt at a Top 30 and Durfee with lots of talent and could be a factor if they get it together…interesting bracket eh??

Below is my latest version of the Top 30 and teams on the cusp. Apologies go out to Fairhaven as I somehow deleted their team in my pre-season version and also to clubs like Canton who look like they may be in it for the long haul…also to players I forgot on the Cream of the Crop like the Pentucket kids…my bad.

I want to again thank my guy at work, Guerman Khotline…brilliant “IT” guy that “non-techies” like me can’t live without…for his help with our website this year. The “G-Man” is a definite “TRD”…The Real Deal!

I hope you enjoy the rankings shown below and again always feel to e-mail me at coachstorm5@comcast.net with any comments or to alert me to teams I am missing the boat on…injuries I am not aware of…players I should follow…anything you feel is valid to make this a more accurate listing. Once it is as accurate as possible, then it only becomes my opinion versus yours and we can then agree to disagree…LOL. Hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and wishing you all a very happy, healthy, and prosperous 2011. Finally, please go out and spend a few bucks to attend a bunch of games this year to help support the teams financially as they sure can use it.

Top 30 Rankings with their Last Record

Now Last Rank

#1. #1.	Andover (D1 N) – 7 – 0 – The Warriors blew teams out and then proved they still have Central’s number beating them by 10 at Methuen…and without Fazio who rolled an ankle…Boudreau already broke the 1,000 point barrier…club is just the best around at this point. Interesting start to the new year with CMass power Wachusett and Central Catholic again. Can Wachusett’s size help knock them off again this year like it did last year? Jim Oxford coaches them and he joked his game plan last year was to hold Boudreau under 50 (she had 42) and keep everyone else to 6 or less….which they did…winning like 64 to 60. Somehow me thinks Gomez gets more than 6 this time.
#2. #2.	Central Catholic (D1 N) – 5 – 1 Can’t penalize them much losing to the #1 team and keeping it close to the end…now they get another chance to win for the 1^st time ever in Andover’s gym on Friday…will 2011 be the year?
#3. #3.	Newton South (D1 S) 5 – 0 – Another great start here and nice win over North but looming battle between the Lions and a struggling L-S on Tuesday will be fun to see the result…need to get them to mid-January when Westford and AB come to town…I did notice how club has had lots of home games early but ends with 7 of 9 on the road…hmmm.
#4. #5.	New Bedford (D1 S) – 7 – 0 Whalers are one heck of a team as I saw them beat a very good Foxboro team by 10…also found out star guard Alyssa Roach is headed to D2 AIC as this kid can play….got to meet the Gomes clan and super nice people and wishing Arielle best of luck with her college decision…depth and rebounding could be issues but for now if they stay healthy…look out South.
#5. #6.	St. Mary’s of Lynn (D3 N) – 7 – 0 Kickin’ butt and takin’ numbers is an old army saying and boy it applies here and in multiple states as Newhall’s nasty’s won 3 in Florida at Disney with Faieta getting the MVP and putting up a triple double….won the Lynn Xmas Tourney…clubbed Somerville by 28…a tough 4 game CCL stretch coming though vs. AC, the Archies, Fenwick and Spellman will be interesting to watch.
#6. #9.	Franklin (D1 S) – 6 – 0 Panthers pumpin’ up the volume pouring in 63 points a pop and winning their own Xmas Tourney beating a very good Natick club and then NDA…now the tough Hock league games await but this club looks ready for those upcoming battles.
#7. #10.	Reading – (D2 N) -- 6 – 0 Trip to Maine revealed the Rockets’ red glare here as they are running roughshod over the Middlesex League and also won that York, Maine tourney by 7 over a talented York team….can Stoneham or Woburn reduce the Rockets to rubble at some point?
#8. #26.	Pentucket (D3 N) – 6 – 0 Okay big jump here but they deserve it plus my apologies for forgetting some of their players in the Cream of the Crop…I can be dumb sometimes…what a job Coach Mac does as their defense is swarming and soph Nicole Viselli is raining 3’s like you read about…they won the Masco tourney and could be St. Mary’s biggest nightmare down the road in D3 North.
#9. #14.	Mansfield (D1 S) – 6 – 0 Solid start with 6 straight has club ready to hit the road to Brockton this week then take on the rugged foes in the Hock. Nice road tourney win in Connecticut also with Hornets Colleen Copley copping the MVP trophy.
#10. #22.	Wellesley (D1 S) – 4 – 0 This crew makes me think of the Monkees’ old song…”I’m a Believer” as they keep beating good clubs with home wins over Feehan and now L-S. Off to Needham Tuesday in a good one and hope Tierra Allen is 100% so this club can mature together and be a big factor in D1 South as they were last year….note to files…9 of last 10 on the road.
#11. #19.	Acton Boxborough (D1 N) -- 5 – 0 Schedule has helped them get adjusted to new coach and new system and playing without Belanger for 5 games allowed others to mature…but she’s back now. Props to Hannah Foley for showing great senior leadership also. Team should beat Waltham and Wayland at home this week setting up huge 3 game road stretch at L-S, Newton South and Westford.
#12. #12.	Cardinal Spellman (D3 S) – 2 - 0 Snow PPD. the game with Coyle which would have been a nice benchmark but now they get into the rugged CCL schedule so let’s see how long they stay up this high…win and you move up…lose some and maybe down a bit…but that league is real tough this year.
#13. #16.	Archbishop Williams (D3 S) – 3 – 0 – Excellent road win at Feehan by 1 in OT has to build confidence for Bancroft’s young troops but NYC trip halted due to weather so we’ll know more after Tuesday when they travel to AC in a good test for both clubs.
#14. #21.	Coyle Cassidy (D3 S) – 3 – 0 – Good one Tuesday at Taunton…don’t think they’ll need the GPS to find that gym…great test for both clubs and will tell a lot about each.
#15. #25.	Revere (D1 N) – 6 – 0 Best season in a while last year but me thinks they are on pace to beat that and then some this year. Beating Londonderry and Fenwick shows they are on a mission and now the league games ahead starting with Peabody and Gloucester at home…fun times here.
#16. #27.	Stoneham (D3 N) -- 6 – 0 – Gotta’ love what is being built in this town as these are tough kids who play 110% each second…beating Gloucester and Woonsocket to win their own tourney is impressive…can’t wait until the 14^th and 17^th when they travel to Woburn and then host Reading…and then end the season reversing those games to see who wins the Middlesex League….hmmm.
#17. Cusp	Scituate (D2 S) – 5 – 0 Heard they have one of the best defenses around and it sure looks it allowing under 30 a game so far…yet with Otto and Martin they have excellent offense also…club will be a real factor in D2 South this season…Saturday February 5^th at Mansfield…hmmm.
#18. Cusp	Norwell (D3 S) – 7 – 1 I’m on board here as club had a great week beating its 1^st D1 team ever in Durfee then following it up with a championship win over Marshfield…playing 3 days in a row was too much as they lost by 20 to #4 New Bedford…some tough road games coming now…at Cohasset on the 11^th should be a huge game for both.
#19. #23.	Cohasset (D4 S) -- 6 – 0 Undefeated…Cohasset…those two words always seem to go hand in hand…their home game with a very hot Norwell on the 11^th could be a doozie…
#20. #15.	Marshfield (D1 S) 4 – 1 – Love seeing super star Nicole Beresford back pumping in great numbers…terrific kid and family…earlier you might have thought losing to Norwell was an upset…not this year though.
#21. #11.	Bishop Feehan (D2 S) – 4 – 2 Like this group to get better and better as road loss to Wellesley by 7 and home loss in OT by 1 to the Archies were good learning experiences plus winning the Attleboro Tourney should give them a good boost. Hosting Fontbonne and road trip to Coyle Cassidy will give us more hard evidence as to how much better they are getting.
#22. #4.	Newton North (D1 S) 2 – 2 – Hate to move them down so far but 2 losses are 2 losses and as mentioned, Hunt’s injury just sets the whole club back as her handle and 3 point shooting opens up everything for all the other players…be patient here…when Hunt returns the Tigers get back in the “hunt”…trust me.
#23. #8.	Lincoln-Sudbury (D1 N) – 2 – 2 Sometimes having too many good players can be an issue as you never develop that “go to” kid you need down the stretch of tight games…losing at home to Westford might be a sign of that…still…rather have too many than not enough.
#24. #17.	Oliver ames (D2 S) – 3 – 2 Youth shows with inconsistent offense but losing to talented Scituate and RI power LaSalle causes no shame…will be favored to win 2 this week setting up huge home tilt with Hock rival Franklin on the 11^th.
#25. #18.	Arlington Catholic (D2 N) – 3 – 2 Cougars growing in spurts as road loss at Fenwick hurt plus blow out by Pentucket’s devastating defense will hopefully pay dividends down the road. 3 pointer with 7 seconds left to beat Westford 62 to 59 should charge their battery. How much might be determined by the home tilt with the Archies…then off to St. Mary’s.
#26. #29.	Medfield (D2 S) – 5 – 0 Club just keeps pumping out the W’s and now gets another look at a tough “W”…”W” in Westwood that is but at home…on track for another TVL title if they keep playing like this.
#27. #30.	Danvers (D2 N) – 5 – 0 Got a break getting Swampscott without Talkov so need to see more games to truly believe…a hot Gloucester club at home Tuesday will be one step for sure. Anyone got their full schedule? Please send if you do…thx!
#28. Cusp	Taunton (D1 S) – 5 – 1 Team is playing real well with only loss to tough and ranked Feehan club. Big week ahead hosting Coyle and at struggling Durfee then at New Bedford next week in a game that can really put them on the map. “Pellotte and Perra and you get Taunton terror”…plus they got Harrigan…hmmm.
#29. Cusp	Masconomet (D1 N) – 4 – 2 Two 1 point losses at home to Cambridge and Pentucket…but young teams need to learn how to win these close one’s…Brooke Stewart…you watch a kid as a frosh and say she “could” be good…then you see some great moments but also some downs as a soph…now as a junior…kid can flat out play and do it all on the court…super impressive and consistent start with a high of 31 and a low of 24 plus boards, passing, and handling the ball…defense…wow…what a playa’…Danielle Davis inside is the perfect complement to Stewart also.
#30. Cusp	Braintree (D1 S) -- 4 – 0 Great confidence boost with home win over Newton North (ok Hunt got hurt but still…). Coach Kristen McDonnell’s crew has talent and could have a nice run if they continue to improve…but late January will be the mid-term exams as they see Brockton, at Newton North, Wellesley and at Natick…let’s see how those test results come in before giving the final grades.

“On the Cusp”

Foxborough (D2 S) – 4 – 2 – Thought they’d move into the rankings but loss at Canton a bit of a surprise…boy do they have Durfee’s number though…there’s talent here and “the Hock” is so tough so ample opportunity to get some quality wins ahead.

Gloucester (D2 N) – 5 – 1 Team goes into Somerville and wins by 26 then does about the same to next 3 opponents but Stoneham was a little too much but then back in the saddle beating Bedford in the consolation game. Rough week ahead at Danvers and at Revere…will they fall out of the saddle this week?

Woburn (D1 N) – 4 – 0 When you hold teams in the 30’s you are going to win a lot of games and the Tanners do just that night in and night out. Should win 2 this week setting up a huge road visit in Reading on the 11^th…should be fun…and would get them in the top 30.

Natick (D2 S) – 4 – 1 – Solid start with only loss to highly ranked Franklin in their gym…hosting Needham Friday will be interesting but team should keep winning until at Wellesley on 1/21 in a potential good one.

Westford (D1 N) 2 – 2 – Grey Ghosts learning fast with great road win at L-S then struggling a bit against Masco and losing a heartbreaker to AC on a 3 pointer with 7 seconds left. Like the frosh and where this team might be come February.

Bishop Fenwick (D3 N) – 3 – 3 Yo-yo season so far…losing 3 home games to good clubs (New Mission, Archies, & Revere) yet beating AC and Cambridge …hard read right now but trip to Spellman will see which way the yo-yo is going…up?...or…down?

Wareham (D3 S) – 6 – 0 Another one I missed the boat on but 6 straight wins gets me on board this cruisin’ ship.

Cambridge (D1 N) – 2 – 2 Club got my attention with 2 nice road wins at Billerica and at Masco…then the “D” disappeared at the Fenwick Xmas Tourney giving up 89…yes 89 points in Fenwick loss and then losing by 7 to always tough Londonderry group. I like their schedule a lot this year with games at Central Catholic, Billerica, Masco, Westford, Lowell, and Fenwick at home, plus the St. Mary’s Tourney…real challenging!

New Mission (D4 N) – 3 – 1 Good road win at Fenwick but then let their guard down against young and talented O’Bryant…City league looks real competitive this year with Fenway, O’Bryant, and Burke ready to give it a go this season so this club needs to be ready every game…

Durfee (D1 S) -- 3 – 4 – A frustrating start for the Hilltoppers and late coaching change may have something to do with it. They may need to drop Foxboro next year as they lose twice to them…still talent here but it has to show soon or could be a long year.

Billerica (D1 N) 4 – 1 Only loss by 3 at home to Cambridge but club continues to show they will be solid this season…how solid will be determined when they hit the iron of the MVC in 2 weeks or so….

Fairhaven (D3 S) – 5 – 2 – Solid start behind brilliant all-around play of Kara Charette as they gave New Bedford a good tussle early…now they travel there Friday night…hmmm.

North Attleboro (D1 S) – 3 – 2 With losses at Mansfield by only 2 and to talented Feehan team me thinks this club will cause others problems as this year rolls out.

Ashland (D3 S) – 3 – 2 – Up and down so far losing to Medway by 1 at home then nice win over Westwood but losing on the road to Weston by 12 hurts…need more consistency here.

Lowell (D1 N) – 2 – 3 Okay your 3 losses are to Andover twice and Central Catholic…’nuff said for now.

Westwood (D3 S) – 2 – 2 – Win one lose won not the way to be all season plus they need a signature win and beating Medfield on the road could be just the autograph this club wants to get on their resume.

Old Rochester (D3 S) – 3 – 2 – Another up and down team…lose big or win big…no in between…need some consistency or they stay right here for the season..

Ipswich (D3 N) – 4 – 2 Club just can’t get a power win losing by 18 to talented Pentucket then solid Newburyport knocks them off…need to see more here as the Cusp seems to be where they’ll be all year.

Fontbonne (D2 S) – 2 – 3 The Ducks win the Somerville Tourney with 2 point win over Needham and by 5 over a struggling Somerville crew…schedule gets tougher as the season goes along so sophs Gemma and Bourikas need to continue to improve.

Needham (D1 S) – 4 – 2 Rockets have frustrating 2 point loss to Fontbonne in the Somerville Tourney but solid start so far…hosting Wellesley Tuesday plus at Natick Friday are big ones that will be good indicator on how this season will go.

Lynn English (D1 N) – 3 – 4 Got to cut some slack here as they played 1^st 5 without frosh point guard Katherine Stinson who hit for 21 with 6 assists and 6 steals in her varsity debut…she could be a difference maker down the stretch…keeping my eyes peeled on this club.

Notre Dame of Hingham (D2 S) – 3 – 2 They are probably right where they belong so far as they continue to grow. Could take another step with a win at Somerville this week.

Canton (D3 S) – 3 – 1 Team off to solid start especially with nice home win over Foxboro…but road trip to unbeaten Mansfield will be a good indicator of how far they’ve come.

Hopkinton (D2 S) – 3 – 1 Loss at tough Medfield was rough but club got on a roll after that winning 3 straight…hosting Medway Friday and travelling to Westwood after will be good tests as we approach mid-term exams.

North Reading (D3 N) 4 – 2 – Should be favored to win 2 this week and next but then hit the iron with Wilmington, N-port, North Andover, Masco, Pentucket, Ipswich down the road…hmmm.

Nauset (D2 S) – 1 – 1 – Sort of an upset losing at Barnstable but I still think this club has a solid season…another team where scores dn’t seem to make the Globe though.

Swampscott (D3 N) – 3 – 3 – Club without Talkov has struggled and not sure if she’s back yet so giving them a break until they get a shot to see how they do when she’s 100%.

Dartmouth (D1 S) – 2 – 2 Two losses against super New Bedford on the road and Coyle plus nice win over Fairhaven…rough week ahead hosting New Bedford and Brockton…interesting tests.

North Andover (D2 N) 3 – 3 – Losses at Masco and to Lowell and Pinkerton are understandable as Morgan Lumb continues to mature but not any easier this week with road trip to solid Newburyport and then hosting a prowling Pentucket club who is on a roll.

Brockton (D1 S) – 2 – 4 Boxers still a mystery at this point so need more results to see if they stay listed or move out of the Top 60. A win over Mansfield at home this week will make a statement in that regard.

Plymouth South (D1 S) – 2 – 3 Schedule has been tough losing to OA, Taunton and Falmouth so club needs to get back in gear and a big win over Marshfield Friday could be the turnaround.

Wilmington (D2 N) – 1 – 3 Coach Keane’s crew scuffling at the start just like last year so they get a pass so far but need a good win and beating Newburyport Friday might get them rolling again. Last year they ended strong and did well in the tourney so look for it to happen again.

Somerville (D1 N) – 1 – 4 Highlanders have a lot to improve on and the rest of the non-league schedule looks way too daunting at this point…performance against Fontbonne in losing cause might be a good sign and there is talent there but…then I look at Jim and Bob retiring…Harris canned….could be the end of an era…makes me sad if it is…time will tell…

Best of luck to all athletes this winter!!

Okay folks here is a quick summary of the Class of 2010 and how they are doing in college:

Mary Louise Dixon – Stonehill D2 – Playing 23 minutes a night scoring 4 PPG with 2 assists.

Asia Ewing – Stonehill D2 – Played in 8 of their 11 games as she is working her way in but getting 19 minutes now scoring 9 PPG with 5.6 boards.

Lauren Battista – Bentley D2 – She has started all 10 games for the 9 and 1 & nationally ranked Falcons. Plays 25 minutes a game and is 3^rd leading scorer and rebounder at 11.5 PPG & 6 boards.

Katie Zenevitch – Boston College D1 – Playing 17 minutes a night and scoring 5 PPG for the 11 and 1 and Top 25 Eagles.

Christine Ganser – Holy Cross D1 – Playing 15 minutes a night and scoring almost 6 PPG with 5 boards each contest.

Val Driscoll – Michigan D1 – She has played in 9 of the 13 games getting 5 minutes a night scoring 2.2 PPG.

Brittany Obi Tabot – Fairfield D1 – She has played in 5 of the 10 games getting 2 minutes a game and scoring 1 PPG.

Rashidat Agboola – Boston University D1 – Playing 8 minutes a night and scoring 2 PPG.

Colleen Hanscom – Post University D2 – Playing 16 minutes per game and scoring 4.2 PPG.

Tori Lehr – St. Anselm’s D2 – Played in 7 of the 10 games for 5 minutes a game scoring 1 PPG.

Lindsey Roche – Assumption D2 – She has played in 4 of the 10 games for 4 minutes scoring 2 PPG.

Gotta' run folks…Remember…“No ability without eligibility!”…and…“The ball stops bouncing for everyone at some point but a college degree lasts forever!”