Mark your calendars: Picking the top Central Mass. boys' basketball games of the week
There are plenty of great high school boys' basketball games slated for this week in Central Mass. If you're looking to watch some of the action, Rich Garven takes a look at some of the best of the bunch that can't be missed.
Nipmuc at Valley Tech
6:30 p.m. Monday
There’s not a shorter road trip in Central Mass. – and likely the state – when these Pleasant Street neighbors in Upton get together. The surging Warriors have won six of eight to improve to 9-7 while the Beavers have emerged victorious in five of their past six games to get to 9-6.
Nashoba at Oakmont
7 p.m. Monday
The Spartans ended last week with a close loss against Mid-Wach B leading Shepherd Hill and start this week against the Wolves, who can earn a share of the league title with a win. The first meeting between these longtime rivals went to the Wolves by a score of 84-74 earlier this month.
Whitinsville Christian at Bethany Christian
6:30 p.m. Tuesday
The Crusaders will make the 20-minute drive to Mendon having won three straight and seven of eight to raise their record to 10-5 and punch their ticket to postseason play. The Eagles, who also are headed to the Division 4 state tournament, check in at 9-5 and winners of five straight.
South at Doherty
6:30 p.m. Wednesday
These Inter-High rivals close out the regular season with the 13-4 Highlanders seeking to sweep the season series after erasing a five-point halftime deficit and posting a 64-60 win in mid-January, a game that saw the 9-7 Colonels get a 24-point effort from junior Alex Johnson.
Leicester at David Prouty
6:30 p.m. Thursday
Barring an upset Monday at Southbridge, the Panthers will enter the final regular-season game in the cozy gym they’ve called home since 1966 with an unblemished record while the neighboring rival Wolverines will look to close out the season on a high note.
St. John’s at Shrewsbury
7:30 p.m. Friday
The Pioneers entered the week 31st in the Division 1 power rankings, so they’re in position to earn a postseason berth as the top 32 are automatic qualifiers. The Colonials have had more ups than downs this season, but a win over their in-town rivals in the season finale would be a cause for celebration.
Tantasqua at Grafton
Noon, Saturday
After a two-year hiatus, the Clark Tournament returns for the 82nd time with first-round games getting underway at noon at Oxford for the Small Schools and Grafton for the Large Schools. The action will shift to Clark University for the semifinals on Monday and the finals on Feb. 25.
—Contact Rich Garven at rgarven@telegram.com. Follow him on Twitter @RichGarvenTG.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Picking the top Central Mass. boys' basketball games of the week
