Teams achieved redemption in 2025 basketball championships

This winter was a season of redemption for many high school basketball teams. At the MIAA State Championship weekend, teams that had faced tough losses in previous years found a chance to succeed. Franklin, under coach CJ Neely, had lost in the finals three times before. This year, they triumphed by defeating Worcester North, thanks in part to star player Caden Sullivan's 31 points. This victory marked the Panthers’ first Division 1 State Title. The girls’ Division 1 final followed a similar storyline. Wachusett, led by Jaelyn Scott, avenged last year’s loss to Bishop Feehan with a narrow 55-54 win. Scott scored the game-winning layup in the final seconds. Norwell faced a heartbreaking defeat in 2024 but turned the tables in 2025. They defeated Taconic in the semifinals and continued their winning streak in the state final. Ronan Coffey made a clutch three-pointer to send the championship game into overtime, where Norwell secured a victory over Old Rochester. Somerset Berkley also sought revenge after losing to Malden Catholic the previous year. This time, they won decisively with a score of 65-44, claiming their first title in over 70 years. St. Mary’s showed their dominance by winning their third title in four years. They defeated Norwell in the Division 3 final after having lost the previous season. Other teams, like Medfield and Cathedral, continued their championship successes as well. However, some runners-up from 2024 did not achieve victory this time, including the Old Rochester boys and Norwell girls. Excitement remained high as Georgetown, with a record of 14-6, surprised many by winning their first state title with impressive playoff performances. The article also addressed some frustrations. Critics noted issues like unsportsmanlike conduct from adults on the sidelines, high ticket prices for students, and calls for more regular updates to power rankings. Overall, basketball in 2025 highlighted the power of redemption and the passion of student-athletes.