All high school softball players in Massachusetts will now be required to wear a face mask protector with their batting helmet, a new Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) rule that sparked a variety of reactions from coaches in Boston's western suburbs.

''I'm all for it," said Franklin High coach Lori Salvia, who had members of her team using face masks three years ago.

Lou Tredeau, the coach at Framingham-based Marian High, said the rule should protect batters.

''I've seen kids get hit in the mouth, and as a parent who has sunk thousands of dollars into dental bills, I say you do anything for safety. Kids know to turn their head on an inside pitch, but there's always the chance a ball could be fouled off and hit them off the bat."

Salvia said the face mask protectors are used in college, as well as on many private summer teams. She noted that with more teams playing ''the short game" and more hurlers firing a variety of pitches -- such as the spin, rise, and curve -- there is a greater chance for injury.

''It's not like baseball, where there isn't a ton of bunting," she said. ''In softball, the short game [i.e. bunting, slap hitting] is developing more than it has in the past, and the pitches have such different spins. So it's harder to stay on top of the ball, which can lead to facial injuries."

Salvia has some concern with one aspect of the new rule, which the MIAA adopted because it's supported by the National Federation of High School Athletics. While the face mask protectors should keep batters safe, she's worried about base runners and fielders being hurt by them.

Wayland High coach Keith Meliones said one of his fielders was injured by a face mask in a recent season.

''The team we were playing had a few girls using them, and one of them tried to steal a base," he said. ''She ran into the girl who was trying to tag her out and our player was injured pretty badly because of the face mask. That worries me a bit."

Medfield High cocoach Johanna Madge also had worries. ''I'm concerned with how safe it is in the sliding aspect of the game," she said.
While Millis High coach Kristen Hedrick is supportive of any rule that promotes safety, she also knows the rule change will affect the school's athletic budget. The Mohawks bought new helmets a few years ago and now will probably have to purchase them again, because face masks might not be compatible with the team's helmets.

The new rule will have an impact on coaches across the state, and Wayland's Meliones already has a plan on how he will approach the season.

''I'll probably try one on myself and head to the batting cage to see how it affects things," he said.

The Burke girls basketball team (12-0), the toast of Boston City League, is well on its way to a 12th league title in 14 years. The Bulldogs returned the top two scorers from EMass, and welcomed a pair of talented freshman guards into the fold as well. The undefeated squad has matured its front-court and is playing a brand of team ball not seen last year, when it fell in the D3 South Semifinals to Cardinal Spellman.

One-two punch:
Tamaria Menefee (28 points per game) and Laniece Langford (27 ppg.) finished one-two in scoring last season, easily giving Burke the highest scoring backcourt in the state.

“They’re both tremendous players,” said coach John Rice. “Last year teams really keyed in on those two.”

This season, both have added new elements to their games, which Rice believes makes them better players and the Bulldogs a much better team.

While Menefee’s points-per-game average has dropped from 28 to 19, Rice attributes it to an increased willingness to share the ball.

“She’s been much more unselfish this year,” he said. “She’s sacrificed her scoring average and has made everyone better. She’s a scoring point and can play the two but she’s really gearing towards a pass-first approach.”

Langford, a Globe All-Scholastic who Rice feels could become the best player in school history, has averaged 25 points per game this season. She’s versatile and can play any position on the floor. She’s always been able to score and pass but Rice feels that she’s blossomed as a defender and rebounder.

“This year we have more options,” said Rice. “We’re more flexible, more athletic, we’re a more complete team.”

Now boarding:
A pair of seniors, Danielle Sampson and Naimah Louis-Barnes, have improved underneath, giving the Bulldogs a post presence they lacked last year.

“They’ve become much stronger rebounders,” said Rice.

On guard:
Adding to Burke’s already versatile backcourt is a pair of freshman guards: Latraya Watt and Melika Clark. Watt, a point guard, allows Menefee to slide into the shooting guard role, while Clark, a sharp-shooter, stretches and punishes defenses when Langford or Menefee drive.

“All can shoot the three, all can penetrate and all share the ball,” said Rice.

Senior Valerie McConnel plays a key role on Burke’s short bench -- the varsity team has just nine members and there is no JV program.

The Bulldogs have beaten Winthrop, Cardinal Spellman and Cathedral in nonleague action and are pummeling opponents this season. Burke enters the Top 20 this week for the first time at No. 19 and is likely sticking around. The Bulldogs will be serious contenders come tournament time.

The top-ranked Catholic Memorial boys hockey team next faces archrival and second-ranked BC High on Saturday, Feb. 11, in the annual Dr. Edward M. Wright Memorial Game at Harvard's Bright Hockey Center. The puck will drop at 2 p.m. The game, played for its first five years at Boston University, makes the move to Allston this year.

Catholic Memorial's web site noted that CM co-captains Joe (forward) and Mike Devin (defenseman) "have both been rated among the top National Hockey League prospects in North America by the NHL Central Scouting Service. The twin brothers from Scituate, both National Honor Society members, have committed to Cornell University."

In Middlesex League news, the MIAA boys' hockey game of the week is the long-awaited showdown between No. 3 Reading and No. 8 Winchester this Wednesday at 8 p.m. at Reading's Burbank Arena.

The two teams, which have yet to face each other season, sit 1-2 in the ultra-competitive Middlesex League and both have much to prove after the puck is dropped. The Rockets, who lost to league rival Burlington earlier in the season, will wish to move their record to 10-1-3 and claim themselves as the premier team in what is arguably the state's premier public league. The Sachems, who moved to No. 8 after their season-changing 5-1 victory over Burlington on Saturday, still stand, by record, as the best team in the league. Think they want to quiet the Rocket hype down?

Many have said that the Middlesex League will have two Super 8 teams by March. If this does not happen, the winner of this game may prove to be the league's representative in the Super 8.

Millis High School tabbed Dale Olmsted as its new football coach today. It's the first head coaching position for the 37-year-old Olmsted, who succeeds Dave Sperandio.

"We're extremely happy with the whole process," Millis athletic director Chuck Grant said on Monday morning. "We're entering a whole new era, hoping to build on what Dave Sperandio worked so hard to bring to Millis."

While Sperandio had been associated with Millis since the 1970s, Olmsted is a fresh face. He was an assistant on Grant's football staff at Walpole High from 1993-2000, serving as both an offensive and defensive coordinator at different times. He then spent three years as offensive coordinator at Dedham High, and was part of a turnaround in which Dedham went from 2-9 to 8-3. He then served as defensive coordinator at Braintree High for one year, before moving on to Wrentham-based King Philip Regional as defensive coordinator in 2005.

Millis competes in the Tri-Valley League, alongside Ashland, Bellingham, Dover-Sherborn, Holliston, Hopkinton, Medfield, Medway, Norton and Westwood.

Grant said he sees a strong connection to Olmsted's time at Dedham and what Olmsted will experience at Millis. Just as Dedham was one of the smallest schools in the Bay State Conference, Millis is the smallest school in the Tri-Valley League.

A look at the week ahead in girls basketball ...

GAMES OF THE WEEK:
Needham @ Braintree -- Tuesday, 6:45 p.m.
No. 5 Braintree defeated a dangerous Brockton team Monday night, 70-59, for the second time this year. The Wamps have been brilliant this season, running away with a strong Bay State Carey division. With a two-game lead in the standings, Braintree can all but lock up the title Tuesday with a win over Needham.

Key matchup: Stephanie Geehan (Braintree) vs. Cerie Mosgrove (Needham)
Mosgrove is averaging a Bay State-best 22.1 points per game this season for the Rockets. She had a mammoth week, with 24 points and 13 rebounds in a win over Natick and 29 points and 9 rebounds in a win over Weymouth.

Lowell @ Andover -- Sunday, 1:30 p.m.
Super Bowl kickoff isn't until 6 p.m. Get out of the house earlier in the day and go see Lowell-Andover II. In the Jan. 6 meeting, Andover sophomore Meghan Thomann connected on 9 of 12 three pointers en route to Andover’s 54-44 win.

Lowell's Courtney Schermerhorn became the third Lowell High School girls basketball player to score 1,000 career points, tossing in 19 Friday night to spark the Red Raiders to a 56-31 MVC crossover win against host Dracut.

My picks: Braintree, 58-47; Andover, 62-61 (OT)

MILESTONES:
Shae Fitzpatrick, Lynnfield — The Brown-bound senior eclipsed 1,500 career points last week. In two games against first place Ipswich, Fitzpatrick netted a combined 48 points and grabbed 23 rebounds. One of the state’s strongest free-throw shooters, she converted 19 of 21 attempts. Fitzpatrick is the top scorer in the program’s history (boys or girls).

Courtney Schermerhorn, Lowell — see above.

Brittany Engle, Oliver Ames — Engle also joined the 1,000 career point club. A senior, she accomplished the feat Thursday with 18 points in a 52-42 win over North Attleboro.

Hailee Lowe, Hamilton-Wenham — She scored her 1,000th career point as H-W defeated Manchester-Essex, 55-24.

After scouring the message boards late Tuesday night (technically it was 12:46 Wednesday morning), I came across three topics with high post numbers: picking the best high school players in Massachusetts, Newton North, and Lexington, in that order.

Since Zach covered North on Monday and I will wait until later in the season to address the area’s top players, Lexington will be the topic of my sophomore entry.

Some say it’s a weak league ... some say it’s a lack of competition. Call it what you want, but those boys in Lexington are steamrolling toward a league title and a high seed in the state basketball tournament. My Middlesex League source Jack DiLillo, a Lexington graduate, ensured me earlier this season that the Minutemen wouldn’t be as good as when he was there. Despite that dire prediction, Lexington has found its way to the seventh spot in the Globe’s top 20.

Coming off a 16-5 season and a disappointing first-round loss to Everett, coach Bob Farias returned a young team filled with potential. The young gunners have led Lexington to a 12-1 record and have helped the Minutemen dominate opponents. The team is averaging 75 points per game while holding opponents under 30 percent shooting with a stingy full-court man-to-man defense.

In fact, the lone Lexington loss came at the hands of Dedham back in December as most of the country said goodbye to Monday Night Football on ABC. The only other time the Minutemen were even tested was in a 72-63 win against tonight’s foe Belmont. For the rest of the season, it has been blowout-city for the Minutemen.

Lexington’s offensive attack is spearheaded by the duo of Tom Hennenberry and captain Jimmy O’Keefe.

O’Keefe is a bruising forward at 6-foot-5, 215 pounds, and has finesse moves and great rebounding ability. The senior averages a double-double at close to 19 points and 12 rebounds per game.

With the inside game being manned by O’Keefe, Hennenberry is free to fire away, hitting threes with the efficiency of Mark Price in the NBA Jam video game. While only a junior, Hennenberry has come into his game this season, evidence by a career-high 33 points against Watertown. The 6-3 guard is the team’s third-leading rebounder and applies pressure on the defensive side of the ball.

The team also has championship experience in its blood in Sean Sullivan, son of Lexington great Tom Sullivan, who took home MVP honors while leading the Minutemen to a state title in 1976. The younger Sullivan now leads the team’s potent offense at the point, setting up Hennenberry, O’Keefe, 6-7 center Dane Dilegro, and three-sport star Ross Curley .

The Minutemen should also get a boost from the return of all-star Matt Cunha, who sat out most of this season after being injured in a scrimmage.

It should be fun to see how far this high scoring young squad will go this year.

While we are on the subject of Lexington High, can we recognize the Minutewomen, who are ranked 15th? Despite a setback against first-place Melrose on Tuesday, the Minutewomen are 9-3 while holding onto the second place in the Middlesex League.

The girls’ game is fueled by overall team balance, but the most consistent scorer is junior center Ali Needham. Coach Paul McManus points to seven kids that have really contributed to turning the team around from last season’s 10-10 squad.

“We have a team filled with juniors and sophomores, but all the kids have come and up their games due to the adverse conditions,” said McManus.

Junior Jessie Igoe plays a role in controlling the boards for Lexington while Molly Boudreau and Michaela Cyr dish the ball, piling up scoring opportunities for Needham and Nena Uguomo. Defensive specialist Michelle Martini and team captain Kate Kimball provide the team with depth off the bench.

What makes Lexington’s record more incredible is that the team is without two of its better players: injured forward Cecily Chisholm, who is out with a fractured foot, and guard Kara Reardon, who may return next week from a strained knee injury.

Before I forget, congratulations are in order for former Brockton baseball coach David Fouracre, who was awarded the Region 1 baseball coach of the year award in Chicago at the beginning of the month. A fitting award for a very distinguished coach who consistently got the best out of his players, even if he was an opponent of my beloved Black Knights on the South Shore.

With last night's 52-42 win over Dual County League rival Westford Academy, No. 2 Lincoln-Sudbury avenged an early season debacle. When 6-foot-5 junior Carolyn Swords was in the game, the Warriors (11-1) looked unstoppable. Despite sitting all but four minutes in the first half, the imposing center finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds.

She makes good decisions with the ball, receiving passes on the post and quickly deciding whether to go up with it or dish to one of Lincoln-Sudbury's guards. Naturally, with her pronounced height advantage she collects her share of rebounds and impedes any movement through the lane.

An L-S vs. Andover matchup would be worth paying for. Their styles are polar opposites. L-S would certainly dominate the paint but that probably wouldn't be enough. Andover's talented guards would stretch the perimeter defense with their range and give L-S guards fits.

Westford gave L-S problems with their full-court press and Andover's Maggie Cosgrove is as good as any guard in the area at extending full-court pressure.

Should this dream match up ever come to fruition, my early pick: Andover, 53-45.

Fitting, that a public power like No. 10 Duxbury gave No. 5 Arlington Catholic a scare in Wednesday night's contest at Veterans Memorial Rink. While AC quickly erased an early 2-0 deficit against the Green Dragons and use its high-powered offense to take an important 4-2 win, the team may have been reminded of where its sole loss came from. No. 3 Reading, another public power, put the only blemish on AC's record (10-1-0) back in the finals of the Ed Burns Classic in Billerica with a 3-1 win on Dec. 28.

"They're a fine team," AC coach Dan Shine said of Duxbury. "I have a lot of respect for John [Blake] and his club. He's done a wonderful job since he's been there. They're a team that in March will be reckoned with. There's no question about it."

Whether or not Duxbury, with its current record of 8-4-1, will be voted into the Super 8 like it was last year is an issue for a later time. Last night, both teams battled it out in a penalty-ridden, rough affair that saw its share of frustration from both benches. Within two minutes midway through the second period, there were five penalties called. The referees made numerous trips to Blake's bench for explanations. Scowls ensued. Sticks were broken. The end result for Shine? A good test.

"It was a game that we needed," Shine said. "We've been scoring a lot of goals lately. Not that you ever want to be down two goals early like that but it was a game that we needed to show that we could be put in that situation and still win."

Arlington Catholic, while scoring a lot of goals, had not been totally tested in previous easy wins against St. Bernard's (8-0), Bishop Guertin (3-0), and St. John's of Shrewsbury (7-2). The Cougars, without Catholic Memorial or BC High on their schedule in the near future, look primed for the postseason.

"It was nice to be in a dogfight," Shine said. "Sometimes you wonder if your kids have that resiliency and can respond when they're behind. You wonder if they'll keep their composure and stay focused. When you're ahead 5-0 midway through a game, you don't have a chance to see that on the bench."

Also on Wednesday, No. 2 BC High continued to prove itself with a convincing 7-2 win over No. 7 Xaverian, while Reading took care of No. 16 Woburn (6-3-2), 3-0. The Rockets (8-1-3), recorded one of their three ties earlier in the year against the Tanners in Woburn, when a controversial no-goal call at O'Brien Rink went against Reading in the final seconds and sealed the scoreless tie. Reading, in front of a home crowd, was able to take an important shutout this time.

After just one season as an independent, the Pingree School football team will join the Evergreen League next season. The South Hamilton-based independent day school fielded a football team for the first time in its 44-year history last fall. The Highlanders went 5-1 under head coach Chris Powers.

That success led Pingree to speed up its timetable for joining a league. Originally, school officials had planned to play two seasons as an indepedent before seeking membership in a league. Pingree will play in the Northeast Division of the 14-team prep school league, alongside schools like Hebron Academy and the Tilton School.

Powers said moving to a league will give his players something to shoot for each season. "That's another big driving force," said Powers. "Now, it's like let's try to win this league. Will we? Who knows, but now we have a goal to shoot for at the end of this year."

Powers said Pingree will play an eight-game schedule in the Evergreen League, but the Highlanders are also looking to set up a non-league game next year with public school opponent. Georgetown, which scrimmaged Pingree this past season, is a likely fit.

Twelve is nice. Eleven is impressive. But the number that stands out the most in Wednesday’s 56-43 Andover win over Central Catholic might be three ... the number of sophomores in coach Jim Tildsley’s starting lineup. This is no surprise to MVC regulars. But the results continue to amaze.

Guards Meghan Thomann (15 points) and Laura Renfo (12 points) each netted four three-pointers as the Golden Warriors (12-0 overall, 8-0 in the MVC) captured their 11th consecutive home win over Central (10-2, 6-2), a streak dating back to Central’s inception.

“You can say what you want about that but I think it’s motivation if anything,” said Red Raider coach Susan Downer. “[Winning in Andover] was a goal of ours heading into the season. We talked about it before the game. I don’t know what else it takes to motivate these girls.”

Central Catholic managed just 13 first half points. Junior guard Maggie Cosgrove (15 points, 5 assists) anchored the Golden Warrior defense.

“Maggie took [MVC all-star guard] Andrea Lozeau out of the game,” said Tildsley, who also puts sophomore Lauren Hughes on the floor. “Everything comes out of our defense. [Melissa] Lucas still got her rebounds but she’s going to. She’s a great player but we made her work.”

Lozeau, held scoreless in the first half, finished with 7 points. Lucas finished with 12 points and 15 rebounds. Mary Moccia led all scorers with 16 points in the losing effort.

“We can’t rely on two people to do everything,” said Downer. “The overall intensity was not what we were looking for and we shot ourselves in the foot so many times. [Central committed 21 turnovers].”

While the Raiders did attempt several comebacks after the intermission, each was answered by an Andover three. As a team the Warriors shot 10-for-23 from behind the arc.

Renfo, who struggled with her shot in the games leading up to last night, connected on three consecutive 3-pointers early in the second half.

“I told her to keep shooting,” said Tildsley. “I told her they were going to shy off Maggie and Meghan, she had to keep taking her shots.”

The two will meet again Feb. 13 at Central Catholic, a place the Warriors have had limited success.

“It’s tough to win on the road,” said Tildsley. “We don’t win there either. Both programs have too much pride and protect their own courts.”

In addition to the three sophomores, Tildsley’s starting lineup also features Cosgrove, the catalyst at both ends of the floor, who is only a junior. At 12-0 it’s scary to think that the Warriors might actually be better next year.

Andover’s guards make their offense go (and they have since the graduation of Ashley McLaughlin two seasons ago). Emily Pallota is the only major contributor to the Warrior backcourt who will not return next year. A spark plug defensively, the Warriors will miss her tenacity and energy off the bench.

That said, Thomann and Renfo are each deadly from behind the arc. Cosgrove runs the Andover offense to perfection while giving the opponents best guard fits with a full court pressure.

Newton South kept things within the family, hiring assistant Ted Dalicandro as its new football coach. Dalicandro succeeds Dick Quigley, who resigned in December.

Dalicandro, 32, has served as an assistant at Newton South, Concord-Carlisle and Wellesley. He is a teacher at Newton South.

Newton South competes in the Dual County League, with highly regarded teams such as Acton-Boxboro, Wayland and Westford Academy. The team's Thanksgiving rival is Lincoln-Sudbury.

Just a few quick notes from Andover's 63-57 win over Lawrence on Tuesday night.

1. It was as physical a game as I've seen this season. Lawrence is one of the few teams that actually try to force the ball into the post through their offense. Andover's Bobby Hughes, usually the biggest and meanest player on the floor, found himself continually flung about by Lawrence's Danny Rodriguez and Daniel Singh.

2. There was no love lost between Andover and Lawrence. Three separate times, play had to be stopped to break up extracurricular activity. Twice in the second half Lawrence senior Miguel Suarez was in the middle of things. The first time he was nailed by an Ian Dempsey elbow in transition. A foul was called on Dempsey, who received retaliation in kind from Suarez. The next trip down the court, Suarez and Andover sharpshooter Casey Cosgrove exchanged a silly array of chest bumps and creative expletives.

3. Andover committed 20 turnovers in the game, but coach Dave Fazio was not concerned.

"We can play better obviously, but we have good enough guards to get us through that stuff," Fazio said.

While 20 turnovers is alarming whether you have Cosgrove and Vetrano or Scottie and Michael, Andover can withstand that kind of display. Andover is in attack mode on every possession, so turnovers are to be expected. But mistakes don't linger with Vetrano and Cosgrove at the helm, a truly special quality that comes with experience, talent and very, very short memories.

4. Finally, a quick analysis of Lawrence.

A. They're tough. Guards Alex Oviedo and Cesar Espinosa are powerful players with finesse speed and agility. Same goes for forward trio Danny Rodriguez, Daniel Singh and Gabriel Gonzalez. In the paint, the big guys are just plain mean. That's quite a good thing.

B. They're active. The sign of a team with a great coach, the Lancers are very active on both ends of the floor, especially on defense. While not a full-court pressing team in the mold of Charlestown and Brockton, Lawrence is stifling in half court with the combination of an athletic front line and feisty guards.

C. Where's the focus? No team should be judged on one game, but Lawrence had a big hand in their demise last night. Oviedo and Espinosa had played nearly flawless games until the last 4 minutes. The Lancer offense was unfocused and broke down after one or two rotations of the ball. Oviedo, while a very talented scorer, had trouble keeping the Lancers in their offensive sets, a major no-no for a point guard. In crunch time, the aforementioned Gladiator Miguel Suarez was subbed out by Lancer coach Paul Neal after back to back showdowns with Andover players.

That's all for now. I'll have more as the week rolls on.

-- Zach

OK, before you all overload the Globe’s email system with hate mail for me, I’m going to bless you with my background info. You all are probably wondering who this guy is telling me why the Boston City League is so much fun to watch, well I will tell you.

I presently live in Stoughton (out of the city for those of you living under a rock) but was born and raised in Mattapan. There, I saw basketball courts, which while not in the best shape, were filled to capacity daily. And then I moved out of the city and noticed a drop in attendance at each playground. I have seen my fair share of the Boston City League and games up and down 95 and as far as the mind can imagine. OK, I digress, and bring to you my Top 10 reasons, Letterman style, why city ball is something you should check out this season.

10. The chants -- C-Town, MP, Eastie, OB, they are all there and screamed at Garden level decibels (Maybe a slight exaggeration). Be sure to check out Madison Park’s pregame chants, it’s must see energy.

9. The tunes -- I’m a big hip-hop fan so if you play it, I will come. Be sure to check out the Charlestown games for their very own DJ Rome.

8. Less traffic -- Nothing angers me or most other fans more than traffic on the highway, especially on 95. I enjoy an easy drive in the city, free of exit watching and horrible directions from Mapquest to get to where I am going. Also it makes it easier to file on deadline when I can avoid the highway, although I have to keep my head on a constant swivel for people crossing the street and not using the crosswalk.

7. Earlier start times -- In the city, games get going around 4:30 and end in enough time for you to catch the Celtics, 106 & Park, or whatever early evening show tickles your fancy (My apologies go out to those parents that miss the first half of games).

6. The moves -- The crossover is not a secret weapon here. It’s the weapon constantly being brandished at opponents as the prelude to the ensuing jaw-dropping dunks or Ginobli-like lay-ups that follow.

5. The game atmosphere -- The big games have playoff-like intensity. Take the East Boston-Charlestown game a few weeks back. The defending state champs found themselves in a fight with the Jets before the game had even tipped-off. “The intensity level for that game was the same as every other game [we play],” said Charlestown coach Jack O’Brien of the big game feel. Specifically, contending teams gunning to take down the Townies pack a little extra aggression for game day.

4. The coaches -- The usual suspects, Dennis Wilson (Madison Park), O’ Brien, last year’s Division 2 Coach of the Year, and Juan Figueroa (O’Bryant), fuel their players with intensity like Mobil does for my ‘95 Maxima. Whether it is late game pep talks to their stars or nearly inciting fights in the stands by starting chants on the bench, these guys get the most out of their squads.

3. PTP'ers (Prime time playas) – From Farnold Degand and Westly Perryman to Jason White and Ridley Johnson to this year’s crop of Bryan Blocker (MP), Paul Becklens (Charlestown) and Aaron Williams (Eastie), the city ballers know how to bring it night in and night out. I’m not taking anything away from Anthony Gurley, Corey Lowe, or Jeff Macchi, but the city boys bring a little more flavor when they take to the court and bring an undeniable passion that comes with a little something I will unveil a few paragraphs down.

2. The fans -- Where else can you go to a game and see the stands packed with kids who bring as much intensity in their chants in the stands as the players display on the hardwood. I must say I was impressed at the Charlestown game at Madison Park last week where a whole section of fans simultaneously broke into the “Harlem Shake” the likes of which I haven’t seen since Diddy was still going by Puff Daddy.

1. Ball is a way of life -- Basketball in the city is life, whether you’re a boy or girl, young or old. For some kids, the dream of being the next Kobe (still can’t believe he dropped 81) fuels their game and leads to the great contests played in the league. For teams like Charlestown, this way of life has led to five state titles and D1 offers, but the last man off the bench is as capable of exhibiting as much heart as the league’s Most Valuable Player. “Players play hard and coaches show players how to play hard [without getting into fights],” said O’Brien. “It’s glorified when you win and extra hard when you lose because you can be on the train with your opponent that night and might live on the same street.”

I hope you all get the opportunity to check out the Boston City League at some point. Feel free to reply to me and let me know if you liked the experience or not. And if you still hate me after this feel free to send your hate mail to my colleague Zach Hosseini, but if you liked it then you can reach me at DAuguste@Globe.com.

When Steve Simoes resigned as baseball coach at Hopkinton High last May, the job opening was considered one of the most coveted in the state’s Division 2 ranks. In his 13 seasons, Simoes helped build Hopkinton into a perennial state title contender, with the team winning a state crown in 2004.

Hopkinton High athletic director Eric Karjel officially named Simoes’s successor today, promoting assistant Mark Stickney to the position.

Stickney, 48, has worked as an assistant to Simoes since 1998. His Hopkinton roots run deep, as he graduated from Hopkinton High in 1975.

“One of the things people might ask about is replacing Steve, and his legacy,” Stickney said on Tuesday. “People could see that as the biggest challenge, but I’m not looking at it that way. He’s still going to be very helpful and work with the kids when he can. He’s been a guiding force, building the program, and he always said the program belongs to the school and the kids in town. We’re going to try to continue that.”

Simoes is now an assistant coach in the college ranks, at Holy Cross.

Stickney, who works as a full-time consultant, also serves as an assistant coach for the Hopkinton football team.

Hopkinton competes in the Tri-Valley League, along with Ashland, Bellingham, Dover-Sherborn, Holliston, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Norton and Westwood.

One of the most important things here is to create discussion and to promote passionate talk about what has already been a great year for MIAA boys' hockey. I can be reached at jpowalisz@globe.com for anything at all related to the world of MIAA boys' hockey discussion. And I'm up for it all - positive or negative - because there's plenty of you out there who know just how interesting and competitive MIAA boys' hockey is. I'm looking forward to being a part of it here.

When an outside observer thinks of Massachusetts and boys' hockey, there's a few teams that always come to mind. Of course, there are a number of Catholic and public powerhouses, but one team has been an epitome of consistent success in this state and that's the program over on 235 Baker St. in West Roxbury - none other than Bill Hanson and his Catholic Memorial Scarlet Knights.

Winners of the past three Super 8 titles, current Globe No. 1 CM has shown, so far this season, that it's perfectly capable of winning a fourth in a row.

What's most impressive about CM is the success it achieves despite its schedule. Like its Catholic Conference foes, CM has faced off against the best in the state, including yearly rival BC High, Hingham, St. John's (Shrewsbury) and Austin Prep. The path taken so far by the Knights has been close to flawless and pretty remarkable in its dominance.

The Knights, at 10-1 entering tonight's Catholic Conference matchup against Malden Catholic, have soundly defeated Shrewsbury 6-0, Xaverian 3-0, Waltham 8-0 and most recently Austin Prep, 7-1, on Saturday. Senior goaltender and All-Scholastic Brendan Sullivan has reached six shutouts already this year.

More Catholic Conference competition awaits CM, including the same No. 2 BC High team that lost a close 4-3 decision at Conte Forum on Jan. 4. as well as current Middlesex League favorites No. 3 Reading and No. 13 Winchester. Coming up the quickest is an anticipated rematch with No. 8 St. John's Prep on Saturday in Wilmington (2:30 p.m.). St. John's Prep produced the shock of the winter so far in handing CM its sole loss, 3-1, on Jan. 12 at the Canton Sportsplex.

Here's one who thinks that Sullivan and the Cornell-bound Devin twins are ready for the Eagles this time. They'll take a 4-1 win.

If you’ve come to this blog looking for girls’ basketball coverage, chances are you are both passionate and knowledgeable. So please, help me do everything possible to make this the best darn girls’ basketball blog in Eastern Massachusetts history. Criticisms, story ideas, player of the week nominations, I’ll take it all. I can be reached at JSchaible@globe.com. Thank you and enjoy.

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GAME OF THE WEEK: Wed. Central Catholic at Andover, 7:30. The top-ranked Golden Warriors (11-0, 7-0) host their perennial Merrimack Valley Conference foe No. 5 Central Catholic (10-1, 6-1). A Raider win creates a three-way tie -- with No. 4 Lowell (8-2, 6-1) atop EMass’ strongest league. Excitement will only build next week when Lowell squares off against both teams.

My pick: Andover, 57-52. Sophomore guard Meghan Thomann sinks nine three’s -- she’s done it before -- as the Golden Warriors tighten the stranglehold they have on the MVC crown.

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Staying with the MVC, I caught up with Lowell coach Michael Crowley last night. I wanted to see how his team is progressing since being dropped from a preseason No. 1 to the fourth slot. Already stacked with one of the state’s most potent backcourt tandems, Ashley Rivera and Courtney Schermerhorn, the Red Raiders added two 6-footers, (twins to be exact, Whitney and Brianna) and had a world of potential. An opening night win over Central Catholic solidified the selection but since then they’ve experienced a pair of hiccups, most notably to conference rival and current No. 1 Andover. But with two months before tournament time, no one is safe in the top spot.

Remember, last year’s Division 1 State Champions, Dartmouth, weren’t even ranked going into the tournament. Somebody really dropped the ball on that one.

More from Lowell coach Michael Crowley ...

On the twins’ -- Whitney and Brianna -- development so far:
"Whitney is getting better every day. Right now she’s our seventh girl, the second off the bench. She’s giving us consistent production. Brianna needs to grow into her body a little more. She needs to start jumping, getting off the floor for rebounds. Once she does, she’ll go to the next level."

On all-star guard Courtney Schermerhorn who is closing in on 1,000 career points:
"Coming in freshman year she had a lot of height. She hit the game-winning shot against Peabody in the Division 1 North playoffs, a 3-pointer. She’s been starting since day one. She's consistent. She brings it every night. There’s a lot more to her game then scoring too. She’s the complete player, makes everyone on the floor better."

On what the Red Raiders must improve before tournament time:
"Boxing out. It makes the rest of our game better. When we do it we look great. When we don’t, we give up easy baskets. It holds us back."

On the Game of the Week, fellow Merrimack Valley Conference hopefuls Andover and Central Catholic:
"It’s a coin flip. I’m pulling for Central to make it a three-way tie heading into next week when we play them both. But it could be either. I like Andover if they’re hitting their shots. I like Central if they’re controlling the glass."

On Andover’s recipe for success:
"They always have the best defense in the state. Coach [Jim] Tildsley does a great job coaching the defense and they always have the best shooters. [Note: Year in and year out, the Golden Warriors are one of the strongest teams in the state, despite losing key players (think Ashley McLaughlin or Jackie Powers)]. They score and stop their opponents from scoring; it’s a winning recipe."

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Due to inclement weather and limited high school action, the 1/23/06 edition did not feature a roundup. Should the article have ran, the lede would have been:

Sixth-ranked Braintree (10-0) defeated No. 18 Brockton (8-2), 70-59, behind 22 points by senior Brittnery Chappron. Senior Marry McDonald added 13 points and 7 rebounds.

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In the city league, Burke (10-0) is off to a lightning fast start and is receiving serious consideration for the Top 20. City league teams don’t typically fair well come MIAA tournament time. Is Burke different?

Halfway through the boys basketball season, it's pretty obvious that Newton North is the team to beat. The defending Division 1 state champions have not missed a beat (with the exception of their close encounter with Wellesley to start the season). Eight days ago, they went on the road and showed then Globe No. 2 New Bedford who was boss by beating the Whalers 85-74 in front of a raucous packed house of 3,000.

So how do you beat top-ranked Newton North? Player of the Year front runner Anthony Gurley and Corey Lowe form the best backcourt in the state -- that much is certain. But there will be days when one of the two Division 1 talents won't be at the top of their game. That's what happened in New Bedford. Lowe struggled mightily against Whaler point guard Brian Rudolph. He finished with 16 points, but many of those came in the last five minutes when the game was in hand for Newton North. Gurley delivered the kind of performance you'd expect from a Wake Forest-bound combo guard. But Newton North's saving grace was the play of Darius Abramson, who took advantage of New Bedford's bulkless interior defense, scoring 12 points and ripping down 7 rebounds. It wasn't just the points though. Abramson and fellow forward Brandon Stephens gave the Tigers tough nosed attitude in the paint to compliment their otherworldly guards.

So here's Zach's three step formula to beat Newton North:

Step 1: Control the interior
During the course of any 32 minute contest, both Gurley and Lowe will find a way to get theirs. It's keeping the other three players in orange and black as inactive as possible. Newton North is nearly unstoppable in transition, so it is vital that teams rebound with reckless abandon to stop the outlet passes from finding Gurley, Lowe and sharpshooter Jason Riffe.

Step 2: Stop penetration
The attribute that separates Gurley and Lowe from the rest of the pack is their strength. Sure, they're quick. But they possess very, shall we say, mature bodies. Once either gets in the lane, defenders, who laterally can stay step for step with them, bounce off as they extend their arms and explode. Both players have tremendous range, but shooting percentages for almost all players drop the further away from the basket they get. Lowe especially can become enamored with the deep three-pointer, an obsession that led to his poor performance against New Bedford.

Step 3: You better have good guards
It goes without saying that having strong backcourt play is necessary for glory in the postseason. There cannot be a weak link in the backcourt if you expect to beat the Tigers. Guards must make Lowe and Gurley work on the defensive end. They also need to try and take the Tigers' stars out of what they like to do on the offensive end. Obviously, this is easier said then done. But this is much easier to do if you have good guards.

This formula comes with the caveats that either Lowe or Gurley is struggling and the complimentary players (see: Riffe, Abramson) are unable to get involved. Without those exceptions, Newton North is in a different class.

I'd like to hear Tiger-beating theories from any other enlightened parties.

Sure, you can read blogs on the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox, but aren't you ready for athletes who actually play sports because they are fun?

Introducing The Boston Globe School Sports Blog.

Starting Tuesday in this space, the Globe's high school sports staff will go beyond the scores to give you opinions, predictions, news, notes, and analysis. And it's an impressive lineup of Boston's finest student writers, all fanning out across EMass.

Jeff Schaible: Last seen handling Division 1 and 1A football this past fall, Jeff is in his second season coordinating the Globe's girls' basketball coverage and Top 20. A passionate New York fan, he's not allowed to wear a Yankees hat in the sports department.

Zach Hosseini: After spending the fall coordinating our girls' soccer coverage, Zach moves to boys' basketball. While Zach is a big soccer fan, he admits watching games that don't end in a 1-1 tie is a lot more fun.

Jeff Powalisz: Last winter he was the Globe's indoor track writer. This winter it's hockey. In addition to the news, notes, and analysis, maybe he'll tell us why the Globe picked Reading No. 1 in the preseason.

David Auguste: From Friday night football to coordinating the Globe's baseball coverage, David is the master of many sports. But don't trust any Top 20 he does. A Stoughton grad, he thinks the Black Knights are No. 1 in everything.

Tuesday marks the start of what we hope is an important part of the Globe's future school sports coverage. We will take you to all the hottest stories this winter. Check us out.