The 16 high school boys basketball players who we named 2024 Daily News All-Stars

After combing over statistics and results, and with the guidance of local athletic directors and coaches, we at the Daily News selected All-Stars for boys and girls basketball, boys and girls hockey, boys and girls swimming, boys and girls track and field, gymnastics, skiing and boys and girls wrestling.

Although the sports and skill sets may vary, there’s no denying that this group put up otherworldly numbers this winter while helping their respective teams find success – whether that be on the court, field, ice, mat or track, or in the gym or pool.

The Daily News presents its 2023-24 All-Stars for boys basketball:

Nick Bellofatto, Westborough

The senior put up 21 points per game, which ranked sixth in Central Mass. Bellofatto hit 30 3s and was named a Midland Wachusett B All-Star. The Rangers went 14-8 and won a preliminary round Division 2 state tournament game. “Nick put in a tremendous amount of work in the off  season  and it paid off this winter.  He led his team to the postseason and was a great leader,” Westborough coach Brian Willar said. “He was the focal point of every team’s game plan and he always found a way to lead his team.  he is great example of what hard work and determination are all about in high school sports.”

Sam Dadagian, Hopkinton

The Hillers’ leading scorer was a TVL All-Star. He scored 16.6 points per game with 8.1 rebounds per game. Dadagian had 21 in an overtime win at Westwood that clinched Hopkinton’s first league championship since 2011. The junior helped the Hillers earn the Division 2 state tournament’s No. 5 seed. “He was at his best scoring and finishing in many different and creative ways in transition,” Hillers coach Thomas Keane said. “He was an excellent and unselfish passer, moving the ball and making the right play - oftentimes making the perfect ‘hockey assist’, the pass that leads to the next pass for our team's open shot.”

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Ryan Dooley, Lincoln-Sudbury

The senior was a Dual-County League all-league selection this winter after being named a league all-star as a junior. Dooley led the Warriors scoring 15 points per game and grabbed seven rebounds per game. He hit 26 3s and made 19 blocks, as L-S reached the Division 1 state tournament and finished atop the DCL Large standings. “It’s hard to quantify Ryan’s true value with just stats - although they are impressive.  It’s Ryan’s leadership and service to the team that makes him so valuable,” L-S coach Linda Martindale said. “He can play every position and score from anywhere, but it’s his believe in a strong team culture that we will miss the most next year.”

Sean Fleming, Natick

The senior averaged six points, six assists and four rebounds per game. He was a unanimous Bay State Conference All-star and one of the Redhawks' co-captains. Fleming played 31.5 minutes per game and played hurt over the season's final four games. Natick qualified for the Division 1 state tournament. "The engine of our team," Natick coach Michael Masto said. He's also a talented runner.

Jack Ianelli, Hopkinton

The senior was a TVL all-star and led the Hillers to their first TVL Large title since 2011. Ianelli averaged 14.8 points, 4.1 assists and 3.3 steals per game. The Hillers qualified for the Division 2 state tournament as the No. 6 seed. “As a point guard, Jack was the floor general on offense, pushing the ball on the fast break and dishing out assists for an offense that averaged 70 points per game,” Hopkinton coach Thomas Keane said. “Defensively, he set the tone by pressuring the ball full court and anticipating passes for both steals and deflections. Jack was indispensable to the success of our team this season."

Logan Greenlaw, Keefe Tech

The Broncos’ team MVP was a Colonial Athletic League all-star for the second year in a row as a junior. He ranked second in the league scoring 14.8 points her game and averaged a double-double, grabbing 11 boards per context. Keefe Tech qualified for the Division 5 state tournament and won a preliminary round game. “In my opinion, Logan was the best big man that we saw all season long,” Broncos coach Kevin Bresciani said.

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Bradley Herndon, Franklin

He was a Hockomock All-Star that hit 42 percent of his 3-pointers. Herndon averaged 8.4 points, 4.6 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game, as the Panthers reached the Division 1 state championship game. The senior point guard amassed 2.7 assists for every turnover. He shot 56 percent from the field and 84 percent from the free throw line.

Patrick Madden, Hopedale

He averaged 20.5 points per game, which ranked fourth in Central Mass. And led the Dual Valley Conference. The Blue Raiders reached the Division 5 Elite Eight. Madden also contributed four assists and four rebounds per contest. The junior was named a Dual Valley Conference first team all-star. Hopedale advanced to the Clark Tournament small school semifinals. He also plays for the Rivals Elite AAU program. “Patrick is one of the most competitive players I have ever coached.  He works tirelessly on improving his game.  He is an excellent student and is goal oriented,” Hopedale coach Tony Cordani said.

Mason Melchionda, Dover-Sherborn

The TVL Small MVP led his team to a shared league title as a senior. He averaged 15 points and seven rebounds per game and had the most assists on the team. D-S reached the Division 3 Elite Eight after two tight, upset victories. “Mason’s production and leadership were clearly important to our overall success. He had the ability to impact our offense in so many ways,” D-S coach Rick Grady said. “At any point, he could start our transition with a key rebound, throw a long outlet pass to teammate, or finish at the rim.”

James McKinney, Nipmuc

The 6-foot-6 center was named the Dual Valley Conference Player of the Year. He averaged 18.4 points (second in the DVC) and 12.2 rebounds per game to go along with more than two blocks per contest. The junior is a two-time DVC all-star and led the Warriors to their first league championship and first ever Central Mass. Class Be title. Nipmuc qualified for the Division 3 state tournament. “Jimmy gets better every day and is a fantastic teammate whose only focus is on winning,” Nipmuc coach Jason Gosselin said. “He’s a dominant basketball player but a better person.”

Jackson O’Brien, Hudson

The Mid-Wach C MVP was a league all-star for the third year in a row. He led the Mid-Wach C in scoring with 428 points, 116 points clear of the field. O’Brien notched his 1,000^th career point Feb. 17 against Northbridge. He averaged 19.5 points per game to go along with 8.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.7 steals. “Jackson is a coach's dream.  He was the best player on our team, but also the hardest worker.  It is hard for anyone to take a practice or possession off, when you look at your best player and he is winning every sprint, every suicide, every lap,” Hudson coach Mike Notaro Jr. said. “He has played with us since he was in the 8th grade, and he will be very hard to replace.  There will never be another Jackson O’Brien when it comes to being coachable and committed to his craft.”

Sean O’Leary, Franklin

The Bates commit captured his second consecutive Hockomock MVP and led the Panthers to the Division 1 state final as a senior. He scored 16.5 points per game with 5.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists and a steal per game. O’Leary drew 14 charges. He also shot 57 percent from the field and 38 percent from the arc.

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Andrew Rivera, Milford

He was a Hockomock All-Star for the second year in a row as a junior. The Scarlet Hawks advanced to the Division 2 Sweet 16 as the No. 22 seed. Rivera averaged 19.1 points per game to go along with 12 rebounds per game and six assists. He’ll start his senior season 18 points shy of 1,000 in his career. Rivera is being recruited to play both basketball and football in college.

Brady Stevens, Wellesley

He became just the third player in program history to score 1,000 points and the first since 2,000. Stevens averaged 20.9 points and five rebounds per game, leading the Raiders in both during his senior season. He was a Bay State Conference all-star each of the past two years and was a team captain both seasons.

Caden Sullivan, Franklin

The Hockomock All-Star averaged 14 points per game but could explode for 20 or 30 on any night. He added 4.6 rebounds, 2.1 steals and two assists per game as a junior for the Division 1 state finalists. Sullivan shot 54 percent from the field and 33 percent from 3.

Keegan Walker, Tri-County

He was the Mayflower Large School Division MVP after averaging 16.9 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. Walker scored 903 points in three years. "Keegan is a consummate basketball player, first to arrive and last to leave practice. He makes those around him better players," Tri-County coach William Cannon said. "He raises the level of competition whenever he's on the court. His attitude, dedication and determination to succeed are among the best I have coached in a 30-plus year career."

Honorable mention

George Anastos, Sr., Keefe Tech

Jake Attaway, Jr., Hudson

Anthony Baum, So., Assabet Valley

Patrick Biamou, Sr., Algonquin

Jack Carter, Fr., Millis

Paul Conway, Jr., Lincoln-Sudbury

Aidan Daly, Sr., Holliston

Brayden DeZutter, Sr., AMSA

Henry DiGiorgio, Sr., Franklin

Dante Jeremic, Jr., Natick

Chris Krueger, Sr., Marlborough

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Pat Mulholland, Sr., Natick

Andrew O’Neill, Sr., Franklin

Arron Pridgeon, So. Assabet Valley

Ross Priscilla, Sr., Bellingham

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Caden Reisman, Sr., Medway

Robbie Rudisill, Jr., Ashland

Ryan Sauter, Sr., Blackstone Valley Tech

Owen Vaughn, Jr., Holliston

This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: 2024 High School Boys Basketball All-Stars: The 16 best in Metrowest