The MIAA released its first edition of the 2025-2026 winter season power rankings on Friday, with various Hampshire County basketball teams already vying for playoff positions.
The top 32 teams in each division qualify for the MIAA tournament.
Boys basketball
Division 2
Amherst is the lone team at the Division 2 level to make the top 32 in the opening power rankings, slotting in at 18th in the state with a 5-2 record.
The Hurricanes opened the season 2-0, dropping two close games in a row to Northampton and Sci-Tech. Since then, the team has caught fire, rattling off four wins in a row, most recently defeating No. 9-ranked Longmeadow 66-56.
Division 4
Frontier has had an impressive start to the season, currently ranked as the 16th-best team in Division 4. With an 8-1 record, the Redhawks are hoping to continue a strong first half of the year.
The team’s only loss this season came in their second game of the season, back on Dec. 13 against No. 4 Wahconah at the Pioneer Valley Tip-off in the Mullins Center. The loss flipped a switch for Frontier, stringing together a seven game win-streak.
South Hadley fell to the Redhawks on Jan. 5, still maintaining the 20th spot in the rankings. The Tigers currently boast a 4-3 record, with their only other two losses to teams in Division 2.
With a few tough losses on the year, South Hadley has done a good job bouncing back after each, as it has yet to lose a game following a defeat.
Girls basketball
Division 2
Northampton currently is the 13th-ranked team in Division 2, holding a 6-3 record. The Blue Devils have won two games in a row, looking to continue building positive momentum.
With 12 games left on the schedule, Northampton’s young roster is hoping to maintain steady growth as tough matchups arise.
Division 4
Frontier is just shy of the top spot in Division 4, being named the second-best team so far this season. After losing their first game of the year, the Redhawks have put together a six-game winning streak.
Over that stretch, Frontier’s smallest margin of victory was nine points. The team’s only loss on the year to this point is against a Division 2 opponent.
South Hadley is ranked right behind the Redhawks in the power rankings, sitting in the third spot. Despite a slow start, the Tigers are hoping to bounce back from their 1-4 record.
The record isn’t where the team wants it to be, but with a tough schedule, South Hadley’s opponents’ ranking (8.5666) is by far the highest in the division.
Hampshire Regional was placed in the 20th spot in the rankings, supporting a 4-2 record to start the year. The Raiders have been hot as of late, rattling off four victories in a row after beginning the season 0-2.
The only two losses on the campaign for Hampshire were against No. 6 Wahconah and No. 7 Southwick back in mid-December.
Easthampton rounds out the county’s top-ranked Division 4 teams, finding itself in 24th place. The Eagles have put together two wins in a row, finding a rhythm as the season has progressed.
With the team just beginning a four-game road trip over just six days, Easthampton will be hoping to keep things going in the right direction.
Division 5
Granby has put together a strong start to the season, currently ranked in seventh place in Division 5 with a 6-1 record. The Rams have won two games in a row, bouncing back after their lone loss to Ware.
The team has shown the ability to sustain competitive play, winning their first four games of the year. In Granby’s one loss, they fell by just six points in a defensive battle.
Hopkins Academy just squeaked into the top rankings of the division, currently holding a 2-4 record good enough for the 31st spot. With a recent win over Greenfield, where the Golden Hawks allowed just 14 points, they’ll hope to build off an impressive defensive performance.
Despite its record, Hopkins has dealt with one of the highest opponent ratings in the division, looking forward to a hopefully competitive rest of the season.