Rockets Launch into 2024 Spring Playoffs
May 29, 2024
• Seven different Needham teams clinched a spot in the MIAA Division 1 State Tournament, here’s everything you need to know heading into the madness.
Let’s begin at the top with 3 time defending state champions, Boys Volleyball. This marks the 4th straight year that the Rockets secured the overall one seed, granting them home court through the Round of Eight, if they were to make it that far. Despite two blemishes on their record (20-2) Needham was still able to secure the top spot over #2 Newton North, who beat the Rockets twice this year, and #3 Natick, all bay state conference teams. Needham will await the winner of #32 Weymouth and #33 Central Catholic, who play their preliminary round matchup on Thursday, May 30th at 4:30 pm. Needham will host the first round at 4:00pm on Saturday, June 1st.
Softball has proven themselves to be a tough opponent for anyone coming into this years post season. They secured the #10 seed after finishing 11-7, and will host #23 Andover in the first round on Saturday, June 1st at 7:00pm on McLeod Field. Last year, the girls were the #31 seed, so this is quite the jump. Needham has made the playoffs every season since 2021, when they had their first ever home playoff game. However, they have yet to make it out of the first round since then.
Baseball (6-12) squeaked their way into the playoffs after finishing the regular season with a huge 5-1 win over Walpole, the number 1 ranked team in Division 2. The boys jumped up to the #26 spot, which grants them a home preliminary round game. They will host #39 Malden, Saturday, June 1st at 4:00pm. The winner of that game will travel to #7 St Johns Prep to take on the Eagles in the first round.
Boys Lacrosse has put together another strong season, winning 11 out of their last 12 games to finish the season at 13-5 despite starting 4-4. The boys secured the #7 seed in the tournament, and will host #26 Shrewsbury in the first round on Saturday, June 1st at 5:00pm. Girls Lacrosse put together one of their best seasons in a few years, finishing 10-7, earning the #11 seed. The girls will host #22 Boston latin on Thursday, May 30th at 5pm. The last time girls lacrosse advanced past the first round was in 2021.
Both boys and girls tennis clinched spots in the tourney. The girls claimed the #16 seed and beat #17 Algonquin on Wednesday, May 30th 4-1. They will play the winner of Lexington/CRLS, date/time TBD. The boys, the #13 seed, already played their first round matchup with #20 Cambridge Ridge and Latin. The match was tied 2-2 heading to 2nd singles, however the Falcons were able to top the Rockets, 3-2 ending their season at 11-8.
For full brackets of each sport, head to the tournament section of the MIAA website: https://miaa.net/tournament-central/
To keep updated on the Rockets playoff journey, check out our X page: @tnc_sports
