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State finals: High school boys basketball preview and picks

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State finals: High school boys basketball preview and picks


Franklin coach CJ Neely has coached his program to the state title game twice in his career. He is hoping the third time’s the charm.

Led by Hockomock League MVP Sean O’Leary, No. 3 Franklin enters its Div. 1 state title showdown with top-seeded Worcester North looking to capture its first state championship in program history.

Under Neely, Franklin has twice reached the final, falling to Cambridge in 2017 and Mansfield in 2018. This time around, however, the Panthers are deeper. Beyond O’Leary, the Panthers have sharpshooters Henry DiGiorgio and Andrew O’Neill, tough-nosed guard Bradley Herndon, and premier athlete Caden Sullivan. On the bench, the Panthers have Hansy Jacques and Justice Samuels providing key minutes.

Franklin is unbeaten in state with its only loss coming to West Orange (Fla.). The Panthers have defeated all four of their postseason opponents by double figures.

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“It’s not the Super Bowl, but there are a lot more distractions in that you have a lot more fans than you had a couple weeks ago trying to get in and watch the games,” Neely said. “We’ve treated this final four as one of those holiday tournaments you play over the break. You just have to try and deal with what is directly in front of you.”

On the other side is Worcester North, the defending Div. 1 state champion and winners of 44 consecutive games. Amir Jenkins is one of the top guards in the state, with the dynamic duo of Joe Okla and Teshaun Steele inside. North blew through the competition for most of the season but proved it can handle adversity when it overcame a late deficit to beat Xaverian in the Div. 1 state semifinals.

Malden Catholic is hoping to finish off its three-peat on Friday night at 6 when it takes on Sharon in the Div. 2 state title.

The Lancers again are led by Boston Herald all-scholastic Matt Gaffney and Bo Moody. Ben Howard has become a reliable force inside while Messiah Johnson helps stretch the floor. If MC is to bring home head coach John Walsh’s sixth state title, they will have to take down a Sharon team that has weapons of its own.

Guard Jacob McLaughlin has played like one of the state’s best this postseason while forward Nate Katznelson is a 1,000-point scorer. Sharon has shown a flair for the dramatic as evidenced by Jackson Rava’s triple with two seconds left to lead the Eagles past Bedford in the semifinal game.

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All season, Charlestown has played like the top Div. 3 team in Massachusetts and will look to finish it off when they play Old Rochester on Saturday at 4 p.m. The Townies have arguably the best duo around in Jaylen Hunter-Coleman and Jaylin Williams-Crawford. Old Rochester, however, has its fair share of marquee wins, knocking off Scituate, Div. 2 state semifinalist Somerset Berkley, and handling Div. 4 state finalist Bourne its only loss.

Speaking of Bourne, they are hoping to complete a season sweep of Wareham when it faces its longtime rival in the Div. 4 state title on Sunday afternoon. The Canalmen won the regular season matchup, defeating the Vikings, 71-61. Bourne is led by Leo Andrade, Mike Dankert, and South Coast Conference MVP Nate Reynolds.

Wareham, meanwhile, is the defending champion and has four starters back from last year. Ajay Lopes is a superstar as evidenced by his late pass in the lane to Antoine Crosser for the game-winning layup in overtime versus Millbury in the Div. 4 state semifinals.

It’s a battle of the top two seeds in Div. 5 as No. 1 Hoosac Valley takes on second-seeded New Mission on Saturday at 2 p.m. Hoosac’s Joey McGovern put on a show in the state semifinals, scoring 29 points in a win over Mahar. The Titans have won eight straight going back to the regular season and went on a 13-2 run against Pioneer Valley to clinch their spot in the final.

Division 1

Worcester North deserves the label of ‘favorite’ but this Franklin team has shown so far that it can handle anything thrown its way. Offensive rebounding will be the key to the game.

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Pick: 57-52, Worcester North

Division 2

Based on how Sharon has played much of this postseason, this game is more of a ‘toss-up’ than meets the eye. It’s hard to go against John Walsh’s Lancers, however, who have yet to lose a postseason game with him at the helm.

Pick: 61-57, Malden Catholic

Division 3

Charlestown has been a top five team in Eastern Mass. for well over a month now. Jaylen Hunter-Coleman, Jaylin Williams-Crawford, and company put the capper on a terrific season.

Pick: 67-54, Charlestown

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Division 4

We picked Bourne over Wareham in the state final going into the postseason and we are sticking by that. This has been Bourne’s season to remember since the get-go.

Pick: 70-63, Bourne

Division 5

It is hard to pick against New Mission, but Hoosac Valley’s only two losses all year are to a strong Monument Mountain team.

Pick: 68-61, Hoosac Valley

 

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Boston, MA

Injury Updates: Boston College Football vs UNC

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Injury Updates: Boston College Football vs UNC


The Boston College Eagles (5-5, 2-4 ACC) football team looks to become bowl eligible as it returns to Alumni Stadium to take on the UNC Tar Heels (6-4, 3-3 ACC).

Both teams are currently dealing with injuries in the program.

Below is a look at the latest injury updates for both teams.

[This story will be updated throughout the game with the latest injury news].

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LB Caleb LaVallee | Questionable: Tar Heels linebacker Caleb LaVallee’s status for today’s game has yet to be determined. He has not played since UNC’s Nov. 2 game against FSU. He is dealing with a lower body injury and has been reportedly “monitored” this week.

RB Darwin Barlow | Questionable: Tar Heels running back Darwin Barlow’s status has yet to be revealed. Barlow’s appeared in three games this season, most recently in the team’s Nov. 2 game against FSU. 

TE Bryson Nesbit | Out: Tar Heels tight end Bryson Nesbit will miss the game against the Eagles with an injury. 

DB Max Tucker | Out: Eagles defensive back Max Tucker will miss the Eagles game against UNC. Tucker exited Boston College’s matchup against No. 13 SMU early in the game and did not return. Eagles head coach Bill O’Brien considered him “day-to-day.” 

DB Bryquice Brown | Out: Eagles defensive back Bryquice Brown will miss the Eagles game against UNC. Brown exited Boston College’s matchup against No. 13 SMU and did not return. Eagles head coach Bill O’Brien considered him “day-to-day.” 

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LB Kam Arnold | Questionable: Eagles linebacker Kam Arnold’s status for today’s game has yet to be revealed. Arnold has missed Boston College’s last three games with an upper body injury. 

RB Turbo Richard | Questionable: Eagles running back Turbo Richard’s status for the game has also not been revealed. Like Arnold, Richard has also missed the Eagles last three games as he’s dealing with an ankle injury. 

Players Out For Season: LB Owen McGowan, CB Amari Jackson, RB Alex Broome, LB Jaylen Blackwell. 



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Ex-Celtics Guard Offers Blunt Confession About Boston Departure

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Ex-Celtics Guard Offers Blunt Confession About Boston Departure


Malcolm Brogdon departed the Boston Celtics two offseasons ago, in surprise fashion, sparking some speculated bad blood between both sides.

During Friday night’s NBA Cup battle, Brogdon, now a member of the Washington Wizards, got his first chance to compete against his old team. Brogdon missed both opportunities last season with the Portland Trail Blazers, the team Boston initially traded the 2023 Sixth Man of the Year to in order to land Jrue Holiday.

“Guys get traded every year,” Brogdon told reporters, per CLNS Media. “I think for teams, a lot of the time it’s not personal, it’s a business decision. For players, it is personal. You’re uprooting your family at the end of the day. You’re moving to a new city, you’re having to adjust to a new situation. But honestly, it was a good trade for them. We’ll both be good in the long run.”

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Brogdon made the start against the Celtics, sharing the floor with Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser, for the first time since Brogdon was teammates with the crew. The 31-year-old met the challenge posed by the reigning champions and performed well, scoring 18 points on 7-of-13 shooting from the field with 10 rebounds to notch his fourth double-double in his first season with the Wizards.

As frustrating as parting ways with the Celtics in the middle of their championship hunt might’ve been for Brogdon, the nine-year veteran doesn’t plan on letting the past haunt him moving forward. Brogdon’s inherited a leadership role for a Washington team that’s gone 2-12 so far, is 1-6 at home and isn’t expected to compete in the playoffs. And for Brogdon, that’s perfectly fine.

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“Honestly, I’m not even in a position anymore where I even talk about it, man,” Brogdon said of the trade. “I’ve made peace with the situation and moved on. I’m in a good place now.”

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Brogdon even gave his former team its flowers and made it known that even though he’s in Washington now, he’s been keeping tabs on Boston.

“They’re a very well-rounded team,” Brogdon said. “The way they’re constructed. And I think the Jay’s together — people have always criticized them over the years: ‘They can’t play together. Their games are too similar.’ I mean, they’ve heard it all and I think they’ve really come together and figured out how to play well and mesh on the court, on both ends. They’ve embraced the defensive side and they’ve then learned how to play together and embrace each other on offense.”

The Wizards — and Brogdon — were Boston’s latest stepping stone as the team continues to embark on its journey toward punching a ticket to Las Vegas in the NBA Cup. The Celtics improved to 13-3 overall and 2-1 in tournament play, securing a plus-14 point differential to put them second to the Atlanta Hawks in the Group C standings.

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How to Watch Boston College vs. North Carolina: Time, TV Channel, Live Stream – November 23, 2024

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How to Watch Boston College vs. North Carolina: Time, TV Channel, Live Stream – November 23, 2024


Data Skrive

Omarion Hampton will lead the North Carolina Tar Heels (6-4) into their battle versus the Boston College Eagles (5-5) at Alumni Stadium (Chestnut Hill, MA) on Saturday at 12 p.m. ET.

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You should head to The CW in order to watch this game.

Keep up with college football all season on FOX Sports.

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Learn more about the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Boston College Eagles.

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How to Watch North Carolina vs. Boston College

  • When: Saturday, November 23, 2024 at 12 p.m. ET
  • Location: Alumni Stadium (Chestnut Hill, MA) in Boston, Massachusetts
  • Live Box Score: FOX Sports

Read More About This Game

  • North Carolina vs. Boston College Predictions

North Carolina’s 2024 Schedule

Date Opponent Score
8/29/2024 at Minnesota W 19-17
9/7/2024 vs. Charlotte W 38-20
9/14/2024 vs. North Carolina Central W 45-10
9/21/2024 vs. James Madison L 70-50
9/28/2024 at Duke L 21-20
10/5/2024 vs. Pittsburgh L 34-24
10/12/2024 vs. Georgia Tech L 41-34
10/26/2024 at Virginia W 41-14
11/2/2024 at Florida State W 35-11
11/16/2024 vs. Wake Forest W 31-24
11/23/2024 at Boston College
11/30/2024 vs. North Carolina State

North Carolina 2024 Stats & Insights

  • North Carolina is averaging 440.1 yards per game offensively this year (28th in the FBS), and are surrendering 364.2 yards per game (64th) on the defensive side of the ball.
  • North Carolina is putting up 235.6 passing yards per game offensively this year (55th in the FBS), and is allowing 235.7 passing yards per game (91st) on the other side of the ball.
  • The Tar Heels are putting up 33.7 points per game on offense (30th in the FBS), and they rank 78th on the other side of the ball with 26.2 points allowed per game.
  • The Tar Heels own the 44th-ranked defense this year in terms of rushing yards (128.5 rushing yards allowed per game), and they’ve been better on offense, ranking 17th-best with 204.5 rushing yards per game.
  • North Carolina is averaging a 42.9% third-down percentage on offense this year (47th in the FBS), and is allowing a 34.1% third-down percentage (33rd) on the other side of the ball.
  • The Tar Heels have forced 13 total turnovers (69th in the FBS) this season and have turned it over 11 times (37th in the FBS) for a turnover margin of +2, 53rd-ranked in college football.

North Carolina 2024 Key Players

Name Position Stats
Omarion Hampton RB 1,422 YDS / 14 TD / 142.2 YPG / 5.7 YPC
31 REC / 281 REC YDS / 1 REC TD / 28.1 REC YPG
Jacolby Criswell QB 2,003 YDS (59.0%) / 12 TD / 3 INT
136 RUSH YDS / 3 RUSH TD / 13.6 RUSH YPG
J.J. Jones WR 28 REC / 528 YDS / 5 TD / 52.8 YPG
Davion Gause RB 285 YDS / 2 TD / 31.7 YPG / 5.2 YPC
Amare Campbell LB 53 TKL / 8.0 TFL / 5.0 SACK
Antavious Lane DB 61 TKL / 2.0 TFL / 1.0 SACK
Jahvaree Ritzie DL 29 TKL / 5.0 TFL / 6.5 SACK / 1 INT
Power Echols LB 59 TKL / 0.0 TFL / 0.5 SACK / 1 INT

Boston College’s 2024 Schedule

Date Opponent Score
9/2/2024 at Florida State W 28-13
9/7/2024 vs. Duquesne W 56-0
9/14/2024 at Missouri L 27-21
9/21/2024 vs. Michigan State W 23-19
9/28/2024 vs. Western Kentucky W 21-20
10/5/2024 at Virginia L 24-14
10/17/2024 at Virginia Tech L 42-21
10/25/2024 vs. Louisville L 31-27
11/9/2024 vs. Syracuse W 37-31
11/16/2024 at SMU L 38-28
11/23/2024 vs. North Carolina
11/30/2024 vs. Pittsburgh

Boston College 2024 Stats & Insights

  • Boston College ranks 93rd with 360.5 total yards per contest on offense, and it ranks 79th with 379.2 total yards given up per contest on defense.
  • Boston College’s passing game has been struggling, ranking 22nd-worst in the FBS with 184.5 passing yards per game. It has been more effective defensively, giving up 248.8 passing yards per contest (107th-ranked).
  • The Eagles rank 73rd in the FBS with 27.6 points per game on offense, and they rank 65th with 24.5 points given up per game on the defensive side of the ball.
  • The Eagles rank 50th in the FBS with 176.0 rushing yards per game on offense, and they rank 46th with 130.4 rushing yards allowed per contest on defense.
  • Boston College ranks 40th in the FBS with a 43.5% third-down conversion rate on offense, and 56th with a 37.0% third-down percentage allowed on defense.
  • The Eagles have recorded 18 forced turnovers (21st in the FBS) and committed 14 turnovers (60th in the FBS) this season for a +4 turnover margin that ranks 35th in the FBS.

Boston College 2024 Key Players

Name Position Stats
Thomas Castellanos QB 1,366 YDS (61.5%) / 18 TD / 5 INT
194 RUSH YDS / 1 RUSH TD / 21.6 RUSH YPG
Kye Robichaux RB 561 YDS / 8 TD / 56.1 YPG / 4.6 YPC
4 REC / 17 REC YDS / 1 REC TD / 2.4 REC YPG
Treshaun Ward RB 391 YDS / 2 TD / 43.4 YPG / 5.4 YPC
13 REC / 251 REC YDS / 4 REC TD / 31.4 REC YPG
Lewis Bond WR 46 REC / 464 YDS / 3 TD / 46.4 YPG
Donovan Ezeiruaku DL 63 TKL / 11.0 TFL / 10.0 SACK
KP Price DB 57 TKL / 1.0 TFL / 1 INT / 1 PD
Carter Davis DB 41 TKL / 0.0 TFL / 2 INT / 2 PD
Daveon Crouch LB 56 TKL / 2.0 TFL

FOX Sports created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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