WMass girls basketball conference realignment explained & coaches predictions

The Winter 2026 girls basketball season tips off on Thursday, marking the start of a new chapter in Western Mass. girls basketball.

The Pioneer Valley Interscholastic Athletic Conference (PVIAC) made significant changes to the conference structure in WMass, with 38 girls basketball programs joining new conferences this fall. Putnam Voc and Turners Falls also rejoin the fray this fall, as the Beavers did not field a team last year, while the Thunder have not fielded a team since 2023.

On its surface, the 58 girls basketball programs in WMass are split amongst 10 conferences, most varying between six and seven teams, with the Tri-County South conference carrying eight squads.

An anonymous survey was sent out to coaches across Western Mass. to hear their sentiments about what the new conference layout means to them. Here are some of their responses:

• 86.7% of WMass coaches voted ‘in favor’ of the new realignment.
• “I am excited that most games within my league feel a bit more evenly matched. It is encouraging to go into a season feeling like you actually have winnable games.”
• “I’m happy with the realignment for my school, I believe that it makes my strength of schedule harder than previous years which helps for state seeding as well as an overall more competitive conference.”
• “The new league alignment offers our girls’ basketball program a welcome fresh start… This year’s alignment offers more competitive games every night while also restoring local rivalries that energize both players and fans.”
• “I think that the “top” teams have fewer games where they go into it knowing they are going to dominate. I think it will keep things more interesting throughout the entirety of the season.”
• “The PVIAC made a smart move eliminating crossovers as it allows teams to pursue competitive games outside their league. Since we are realigning largely based on our previous two years power ranking, our new placements may not reflect our current team’s reality. Being able to have more control over independents gives athletic directors and coaches the ability to either find teams at their level or look for challenges in Central or Eastern Mass. if they so choose.”
• “The recent realignment has definitely created some division in Western Massachusetts, but in the long run it will prove beneficial. With teams now facing more evenly matched opponents, the level of competition each night will improve. The new structure also places many games in more central locations, making travel easier for most programs. And despite the changes, schools still retain the flexibility of adding independent games, allowing them to maintain rivalries or customize their schedules the way they see fit.”

Valley League

Out: Holyoke, SICS, West Springfield

In: Minnechaug, Pittsfield, South Hadley

Anonymous Coach’s Poll Prediction: Central (92.9%), Pittsfield (7.1%)

MassLive’s Prediction: Central

Welcome to the ‘power conference’. The revamped-Valley League is looking stronger than ever, bringing in three of the strongest teams in the region from last year.

This six-team gauntlet of a conference might still end up being Central’s for the taking, but every game in the Valley League is assured to be a high-quality game. One of these six will get the short end of the stick and finish the regular season in last, but don’t count any of these teams out in the postseason.

Valley Wheel

Out: Chicopee, East Longmeadow, Minnechaug, Pittsfield, Westfield

In: Agawam, Holyoke, Renaissance, SICS, West Springfield

Anonymous Coach’s Poll Prediction: Renaissance (53.3%), SICS (33.3%), Holyoke (6.7%), West Springfield (6.7%)

MassLive’s Prediction: SICS

With nearly the entire conference moving out, the new-look Valley Wheel is geographically-friendly for these six programs and presents them with familiar competition on their level.

Having dominated the Franklin West conference the last two seasons, Renaissance is expected to transition smoothly to its new environment despite a more challenging strength of schedule. SICS will likely be the Phoenix’ strongest competition, with plenty of young returning talents for the Bulldogs as well.

Suburban

Out: Amherst, Hampshire, Monson, Taconic, South Hadley

In: Drury, Frontier, Lenox, Pope Francis

Anonymous Coach’s Poll Prediction: Hoosac Valley (40%), Wahconah (26.7%), Frontier (13.3%), Pope Francis (13.3%), Lenox (6.7%)

MassLive’s Prediction: Frontier

Losing South Hadley certainly takes some of the heavyweight punch that the Suburban conference previously held. But the new additions cannot be taken lightly, leaving the conference in a well-balanced muddle.

Hoosac Valley will look to clinch the league title for the first time since being named co-champions in 2022, but the Hurricanes will face stiff competition throughout the season.

Central

Out: Agawam, Drury, Monument Mountain, Mount Greylock, Pope Francis

In: Belchertown, Chicopee, Hampshire, Southwick, Westfield

Anonymous Coach’s Poll Prediction: Hampshire (26.7%), Southwick (20%), Belchertown (20%), Chicopee (13.3%), East Longmeadow (13.3%), Westfield (6.7%)

MassLive’s Prediction: Southwick

Much like the Valley Wheel, the Central conference underwent nearly a complete overhaul, with Belchertown the sole holdover from last season.

The new layout has left the conference in disarray with no true favorite at the outset.

Franklin North

Out: Frontier, Greenfield, Hopkins Academy, Lenox, Mahar, Palmer

In: Lee, Monument Mountain, Mount Greylock, PVCA, Taconic

Anonymous Coach’s Poll Prediction: Lee (53.8%), Easthampton (30.8%), PVCA (7.7%), Monument Mountain (7.7%)

MassLive’s Prediction: Lee

Similarly to Central, the Franklin North as flipped nearly its entire makeup, with just Easthampton remaining from last year.

Lee joins the conference as the overwhelming favorite, with two All-Western Mass. First Team selections returning for the Wildcats.

Franklin South

Out: Athol, Putnam Voc, Ware

In: Greenfield, Hopkins Academy, Mahar, Smith Academy

Anonymous Coach’s Poll Prediction: Mahar (33.3%), Franklin Tech (25%), Greenfield (25%), Hopkins Academy (8.3%), Smith Academy (8.3%)

MassLive’s Prediction: Mahar

The loss of Frontier and Lenox significantly weakens the Franklin South’s strength. The teams replacing those spots might not be the same in terms of talent-level as those leaving, but the current landscape is evenly matched for a new team to experience some glory.

Mahar returns the majority of its roster from last season, earning itself the top billing heading into the winter.

Franklin West

Out: Lee, McCann Tech, Mount Everett, Renaissance, Southwick

In: Amherst, Ludlow, Monson, Palmer, Sci-Tech

Anonymous Coach’s Poll Prediction: Granby (50%), Sci-Tech (25%), Amherst (8.3%), Ware (8.3%),

MassLive’s Prediction: Granby

Losing Lee and Renaissance are major blows to the Franklin South, leaving room for others to climb.

Granby is expected to take control of the conference with All-Western Mass. First Team selection Kalli White returning for the Rams this winter.

Tri-County North

Out: Hampden, Gateway, Sci-Tech, Smith Academy, St. Mary

In: Athol, Baystate, Putnam Voc, Smith Voc, Turners Falls

Anonymous Coach’s Poll Prediction: Baystate Academy (41.7%), Smith Voc (25%), Putnam Voc (16.7%), Turners Falls (8.3%), Duggan (8.3%)

MassLive’s Prediction: Baystate Academy

With the majority of the conference moving out, the Tri-County North may seem up for the taking.

But returning nearly its entire roster, Baystate Academy starts the season as the odds-on favorite to lift the conference title.

Tri-County South

Out: Baystate Academy, PVCA, Smith Voc

In: Gateway, Hampden Charter School of Science, McCann Tech, St. Mary

Anonymous Coach’s Poll Prediction: St. Mary (41.7%), Hampden Charter (25%), Commerce (16.7%), McCann Tech (8.3%), Gateway (8.3%)

MassLive’s Prediction: St. Mary

The Tri-County South will welcome new challengers this winter that should bolster the strength of the conference.

St. Mary enters the winter as the title-favorites with returning All-Western Mass First Team selection, Audrey Amaral returning for the Saints.

Read More

• WMass Girls Basketball Top 20: Central, Pittsfield lead at the start
• WMass Girls Basketball Super 7: Emersynn Cage, Zi’Yan Wallace among the best

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