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In case any of you doubt the quality of athletics here in the Merrimack Valley, I call attention to the MIAA winter sports tournaments.
Now, we already know how great the local wrestling programs are. Just look to Lowell (defending State and New England champ which grapples Tuesday for another state crown), Chelmsford and Methuen comprising 3-of-the-4 Division 1 North Sectional finalists and Greater Lawrence a power in Division 2. But check out the basketball seedings released today;
Boys Division 1 North consists of Lowell at #2, Central (4), Chelmsford (9), Acton-Boxboro (13) and Andover (17). In Division 2, North Andover checks in at #3, along with Westford (5), Dracut (7) and Concord-Carlisle (9). Division 3 boasts Wilmington as the top seed, not to mention Bedford (3), Shawsheen (5), Greater Lowell (9) and Greater Lawrence (14). Not to be outdone, Austin Prep is the #2 seed in Division 4, followed by Lowell Catholic (8) and Tyngsboro (14).
Think there’s a drop off where the Girls are concerned? Think again! Check out the top of Division 1; Acton Boxboro (1), Lowell (2) and Andover (3) stand above the rest, followed by Central Catholic (8), Methuen (10) and Billerica (12). Let me summarize in case you missed that; 5 of the top 12 seeds are MVC schools, and the top seed is Acton-Boxboro. Some lucky local school’s fans are going to the Garden!
How about Division 2 you ask? Westford (2), Tewksbury (9) and North Andover (14) represent quite well, as do Wilmington (6) and Bedford (9) in Division 3. Capping the Valley’s strong showing are Shawsheen Tech (6), Lowell Catholic (10) and Greater Lawrence (12) in Division 4.
Congrats to all the local schools making the region proud. Check the Lowell Sun for tournament schedules and get out there to support as many of these teams as you can. Of course, if you wish to cheer them all on, you don’t have a prayer…there are far too many of them!
And by the way, join us this coming Monday on SportsTalk Live as we break down the brackets and talk to some of the local coaches!
OK gang...which of these teams has a chance to play at the Garden? Is there a state champ in the bunch?
The Lady Rangers of Methuen are going to upset Sommerville by 2 points Tuesday night. They may not have the best record, but they are tough and come through in the clutch. Go Rangers!!!!!!
How much of an upset would that really be? The MVC placed 5-teams in the tournamet (6, if you count Tewksbury in Division 2). Methuen plays teams in Sommerville's class on a nightly basis. They very well might be a better theam than Sommerville, despite the record and seeding.