Winter sports teams in the Bay State got a chance to see where they stand as the first iteration of the MIAA power rankings were revealed on Friday. 

The power rankings are computed by taking a team’s average margin of victory (capped at 10 points for any game) and a team’s opponent ranking to come up with a final rating.

The top 32 ranked teams in each division earn an automatic bid to the state tournament, while every team outside the top 32 that finishes with a .500 record or better also makes it into the field. All records listed below are what the MIAA used to come up with the winter’s first power rankings.

The Pioneer boys basketball team is the highest ranked Recorder area program, as its 8-0 start to the season has the Panthers ranked No. 2 in the Div. 5 field. 

Mahar joins Pioneer in the top 32 of the Div. 5 field, as the Senators (4-3) are ranked No. 23. Athol (No. 39, 3-4), Turners (No. 50, 1-6) and Franklin Tech (No. 57, 2-6) open outside the top 32. 

In the Div. 4 boys field, Frontier (6-1) enters the rankings at No. 16. Closely behind is Greenfield, with the Wave (6-3) ranked No. 23.

The Frontier girls basketball team has roared out to a 9-0 start to the season, which has the Redhawks ranked No. 11 in the Div. 4 field. 

The remainder of the Recorder area girls teams compete in Div. 5, with Franklin Tech (No. 23, 6-4), Greenfield (No. 25, 3-4) and Mahar (No. 30, 1-5) opening in the top 32 of the rankings. Mohawk Trail (No. 37, 3-3), Pioneer (No. 48, 1-8) and Athol (No. 74, 0-7) open outside the top 32. 

The move to the Berry Division, a step up in competition, has helped the Greenfield hockey team in the initial power rankings. After going on the road the last few years in the Div. 4 tournament opening round, the Green Wave (6-2-1) enter the initial power rankings ranked No. 12.

The MIAA will release updated rankings every Tuesday and Friday throughout the rest of the winter season unless brackets are released in late February.