Medfield Boys' Basketball, Girls' Hockey In Play Today

The end of February can symbolizes the end of regular seasons for high school winter sports. Now, with February vacation starting, some high school teams will participate in two-day tournaments to stay fresh in advance of the MIAA state tournaments. Today, Medfield's boys' basketball team takes on O'Bryant of Roxbury in the Foxboro Winter Classic. Meanwhile, the Warriors' girls' hockey team inches closer to finishing up their regular season when they face-off against Lincoln-Sudbury this evening. 

Boys' Basketball:

O'Bryant (4-13, 4-12) vs. Medfield (10-8, 10-8)
Foxborough High School, Foxboro,  3 p.m.

 Medfield tips off against O'Bryant in the first game of the 2011 Foxboro Winter Classic at Foxborough High School. These tournaments often pair non-league teams against one another and serve as a measuring stick for the level of competition around the state. O'Bryant struggled in the Boston City South Division, finishing 4-12 in the league. Medfield turned in a 10-8 campaign in the Tri-Valley League, netting two wins in the final week of the season to qualify for the state tournament. 

Prediction: This is a game that has plenty of variables: How competitive is the Boston City South Division vs. the Tri-Valley League? How will Medfield play in its first non-league game of the season? Will there be a sluggish start from either or both teams as February vacation kicks in and routines are thrown out of whack? Here's what we do know: Medfield has the ability to beat any team it faces – it all hinges on limiting the mistakes and mental errors for 32 minutes. O'Bryant has faced difficult competition this season, playing in the ultra-competitive Boston City South. Expect the Warriors to turn in a strong defensive effort and work the ball into the paint on offense, playing to their strength of Drew Shea, Sam Tawa and Tommy Conlon to score. If O'Bryant clogs the middle, Medfield has the ability to turn to knockdown shooters Johnny McCarthy and Ben Coutinho. Medfield to win a close one. 

Girls' Hockey:

Medfield (14-1-3, 12-0-3) vs. Lincoln-Sudbury (9-6-1, 9-3)
Valley Sports Inc Skating Rink, Concord,  5:40 p.m.

The Medfield High girls' hockey team is fresh off an emotional win over Dover-Sherborn, clinching the Southeastern North Division title on Senior Day this past Saturday. Today, they face Lincoln-Sudbury in Concord, in what is a make-up game from a scheduled matchup on Feb. 13 that was postponed. 

The Warriors have played well this season and beat Lincoln-Sudbury, 2-0 on Jan. 9 in Norfolk. L-S has won four straight. 

Prediction: While it would be easy for Medfield to become relaxed in the final games of the regular season now that the division title has been won, these Warriors look to compete and win every time they take the ice. Expect a solid effort from Medfield against a tough opponent in L-S. In the Jan. 9 matchup between these two teams, the Warriors dominated possession and played the majority of the game in the L-S end. Today's game will be much more balanced with action at both ends of the ice. Medfield to win another close one.

Smith's season prediction record: 52-12