Warriors Hoops Teams Tip-Off Against Holliston Tonight

The Medfield High School boys' and girls' basketball teams enter the final week of the regular season with three games against Tri-Valley League opponents and it all starts tonight with games against Holliston. 

Boys' Basketball:

Holliston (6-11, 5-10) at Medfield (8-7, 8-7)

, Medfield, 6:30 p.m. 

This is a crucial week for the Medfield High chool boys' basketball team to keep its season alive and qualify for the postseason. The Warriors enter a three-game stretch needing two wins to qualify for the state tournament before the regular season ends Friday. A win tonight is probable, but won't come easy.

The record does not imply it, but tonight could be a challenge for the Medfield High School boys' basketball team. Holliston, well below .500 in the standings, has been a pesky team down the stretch, playing well on the court and making its opponents earn victories. Case in point is the way the Panthers have played TVL leader Medway this season. Holliston took the Mustangs into overtime in Holliston on Jan. 11 before falling 73-70 and most recently led Medway 58-57 with just over two minutes left in a Feb. 11 contest but lost, 65-60. Something Medfield will need to be weary of is Holliston's compete level as the season comes to a close. 

The Warriors handled the Panthers in a Dec. 23 matchup in Holliston, 67-59 but will need to maintain focus that both teams are not the same teams they were in December. With only three games to play before the end of the regular season, Medfield needs wins. At 8-7, Medfield has the opportunity to finish its regular season at 11-7, if it wins all of its remaining games, with games against opponents the Warriors have already defeated earlier this season: Holliston, Millis, Norton. The 11-7 record would be one better than the 10-7 it needs to make the Division 2 tournament. 

Prediction: As has been overstated throughout recent Warriors Game Days, the Medfield boys' basketball team needs wins. Fortunately their end of the season stretch is against teams they hold advantages over both on the court with overall talent and ability and in the standings. Look for Medfield to play a close, tough game against a worthy opponent in Holliston and come away with the victory, closing to within one of a tournament berth. Medfield to win.

Girls' Basketball:

Medfield (16-1, 15-0) at Holliston (11-4, 11-4)
Holliston High School, Holliston, 6:30 p.m. 

The Medfield High School girls' basketball team with its win over Ashland. Now it is time to close out the regular season strong and prepare for postseason play. Medfield begins that preparation on the road against a strong Holliston team tonight.

The Warriors defeated the Panthers on Dec. 23 in Medfield, 49-30. That game was close throughout the first three quarters until the Warriors blew it open with a 17-6 run in the fourth quarter. Both teams play similar style defenses – aggressive and very active in the paint. The Warriors were still searching for their offensive identity in this December contest so it will be interesting to see how Holliston attempts to defend Natalie Dickinson and Jen Narlee under the basket. Holliston is coming off a 57-53 overtime victory over Medway last Friday, a win that qualified the Panthers for the state tournament. 

Prediction: Expect this game to be close and Medfield will need a focused, sound effort if it wants to remain unbeaten in the TVL. Realistically, Medfield has nothing left to play for in the regular season other than an unbeaten record, which will help in overall  seeding for the state tournament. MHS coach Mark Nickerson could be looking to incorporate a lot of his bench into the final three games of the season but the team will undoubtedly be out to win those three games as well. It will be interesting to see how Medfield follows up Monday after Friday's TVL clinching victory. They're coached to execute and coached to remain focused and it shows in its 16-1 overall record. Medfield to win. 

Smith's season prediction record: 43-11