A Break In Snowfall Means Return Of High School Hoops

It has been six days since the Medfield High School boys' and girls' basketball teams took the court for a game. The layoff may be the main storyline in tonight's games but the match-ups cannot be overlooked as Tri-Valley League powers collide at 5 and 6:30 p.m.

Boys' Basketball:

Medfield (6-5, 6-5) at Hopkinton (9-2, 9-1)  Hopkinton High School, Hopkinton, 6:30 p.m.

The Medfield High School boys' basketball team is coming off an emotional game against Medway on Jan. 28. The Warriors played in front of their largest crowd of the season and led the Tri-Valley League unbeaten Mustangs, 45-40 in the fourth quarter before falling 52-49. MHS head coach Herb Grace said the team was disappointed in the result but proud of the effort. 

The schedule does not get any easier, especially with time off due to the , as the Warriors take on another TVL powerhouse, Hopkinton, tonight in Hillers' territory. 

Hopkinton (9-2, 9-1) currently sits in second place of the TVL standings, one loss behind Medway. The Hillers are coming off a thrilling, 72-71 victory over Holliston on Jan. 28 – a game won by Hopkinton on a last-second put-back. Medfield opened the season at home against the Hillers and lost, 64-57 in a game that was close throughout until Warriors' turnovers late in the contest ultimately cost the team a shot at victory. 

Prediction: Similar to coming out of winter break, it will be interesting to see how both the Warriors and Hillers respond from time away from the game. Expect both teams to shake off the rust throughout the first quarter and find a rhythm as the game progresses. Medfield needs this victory to avoid its second three-game losing streak this season but it won't come easy against a highly talented Hillers' squad. Medfield will come ready to play and determined to pickup a win. But on the road against Hopkinton after a few days off gives the Hillers the advantage. Hopkinton to win.

Girls' Basketball:

Medfield (12-0, 11-0) at Hopkinton (8-3, 8-3)  Hopkinton High School, Hopkinton, 5 p.m.

Medfield returns to the court unbeaten, holding a 3-game lead in the TVL standings over Medway and a 3.5 game lead over Hopkinton. 

The Warriors picked up its closest victory of the season, a 46-38 win over Medway in Mustang territory on Jan. 28. MHS head coach Mark Nickerson said despite the game being played between the top two teams in the league the game was very sloppy and his team would need an improved effort if it plans to stay out of the loss column during a brutal 10-game stretch with eight games being played on the road. 

The first road test begins tonight against third-place Hopkinton. Medfield defeated the Hillers in Medfield on Dec. 14, 25-24 in what was the epitome of a "defensive game." Both teams struggled to find rhythms on offense and missed a handful of scoring chances. Both teams have had 12 games to polish their skills and game plans, so expect a higher scoring affair tonight in Hopkinton.

Prediction: Nickerson made no secret about it – he's concerned how his team will respond from time out of the gym. A head coach does not field a great team without paying attention to details and the Warriors have been great this season because of their talent, depth and execution of Nickerson's game plans. Hopkinton is just as worthy an opponent as Medway was and will be a test for these Warriors but a test they should pass – no matter how much time the team has spent out of the gym. Warriors to win a fairly close game. 

Smith's season prediction record: 32-7.