The first batch of power rankings were released by the MIAA on Friday, and following its stellar start to the season, the Pioneer boys basketball team has positioned itself near the top of the Div. 5 field. 

The Panthers debuted at the No. 4 spot following its 6-1 start to the season, their lone loss coming earlier this week against Hopkins. The Golden Hawks (7-0) sit in the No. 1 spot in Div. 5. 

As was the case last winter the top 32 ranked teams earn an automatic spot in the state tournament, with each team that finishes the season with record above .500 will also earn a bid to the postseason. Records listed in this article were given by the MIAA and what they went off of to rank teams. 

Greenfield is the lone other team in the top 32 of the boys Div. 5 field, with the Green Wave (5-2) coming in at the No. 20 spot. Athol (5-3) has had a strong start to the season, but sits just outside the top 32, coming in at No. 34 in Friday’s rankings.

Franklin Tech (No. 59, 1-8) and Turners (No. 65, 1-7) will need strong finishes to the season to get in the tournament. 

Both the Mahar and Frontier boys basketball teams sit just outside the top 32 in the Div. 4 bracket. The Senators (4-4) come in at No. 33 while the Redhawks (5-5) are ranked No. 34. With both teams at .500, they both will likely control their playoff destiny by how they play the second half of the season. 

Six of the eight Recorder Area girls basketball teams would be in the tournament if the season ended today. In the Div. 4 field, Frontier (6-3) debuts at No. 14 while Mahar (5-2) isn’t far behind, ranking No. 16. 

Four Recorder Area schools are in the top 32 of the Div. 5 field, led by Pioneer (4-3) who is ranked No. 13 and Franklin Tech (9-1) who comes in at No. 14. 

Turners (4-5) has caught steam of late and sits at No. 29 while Athol (4-3) is ranked No. 30. Greenfield (2-7) is just outside the top 32, ranked No. 36, while Mohawk Trail (0-6) sits at No. 81. 

On the ice, the challenging non-conference schedule the Greenfield hockey team has played has helped it move up the power rankings. After earning the No. 32 seed last year in the Div. 4 field, the Green Wave (6-3) debuted at No. 23 in the inaugural rankings. 

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