Much like with results from other New Year’s resolutions, the start of 2024 in the crystal ball only partly came as hoped.

You won’t find many girls coaches who believe there is one undeniable contender that will be there at the end of the Div. 1 state tournament. There isn’t much to separate several of the top dozen teams in the state.

We saw it in full form this week, with two quality games ending in ties. Racking those up isn’t exactly what we want, but on the plus side, the crystal ball is unbeaten over the last two weeks (11-0-3) for the girls.

For the boys, though, this week started messy. St. John’s Prep put up a statement win over Reading, Gloucester rallied for a huge win over Newburyport, and Essex Tech brought the right energy against Triton to mark three incorrect picks for us by Thursday morning. Once Canton held on against Franklin, it sealed a 2-4-1 week.

Together, it wasn’t a total failure. But we’re looking for a bounce back week on the boys’ side. As a reminder, no games with repeat teams in the same week are picked:

LAST WEEK’S RECORD: 7-4-3

OVERALL RECORD: 32-20-4

*WINNERS in all CAPS**

BOYS

Monday

CATHOLIC MEMORIAL vs Pope Francis, 7 p.m. – Caught in a bit of a slump, a fast start at home helps the Knights avoid a three-game skid.

HINGHAM vs Arlington, 8 p.m. – The Harbormen (1.75 GAA) and Spy Ponders (1.00 GAA) have been two of the best at limiting opposing offense so far. Hingham edges in a low-scoring game.

Wednesday

BC High vs ST. JOHN’S (S), 5:15 p.m. – Hard to pick against the Eagles after their third straight win came against previously unbeaten Xaverian, but St. John’s has been making a few of its own statements of late to show it’s a serious Div. 1 power.

BRAINTREE vs Milton, 6 p.m. – Coming off tough losses to Needham and Archbishop Williams, the Wamps get back on track against a Milton group that has turned heads so far.

Xaverian vs ST. JOHN’S PREP, 7 p.m. – The energy should be through the roof between the top two teams in the rankings. SJP has won six straight and is seemingly only getting better.

St. Mary’s vs ARCHBISHOP WILLIAMS, 8 p.m. – After scoring at least three goals in every game so far through a 6-1 start, Archbishop Williams keeps up its pace to double-down its season-opening win over the talented Spartans.

Saturday

Belmont vs WOBURN, 12:30 p.m. – A convincing win over Reading last week extended the Tanners’ unbeaten start. Holding off Belmont puts Woburn in a good spot to compete for the Middlesex League Liberty crown down the line.

Boston Latin vs CONCORD-CARLISLE, 2 p.m. – The Patriots maintain unbeaten momentum, avenge last year’s loss to the Wolfpack in the Div. 2 state tournament first round.

Sunday

Catholic Conference Showdown, noon – Any time two Catholic Conference teams come together is a good show, but all six in one building should make for an exceptional day of hockey. No predictions, just a reminder of the three games.

GIRLS

Wednesday

ST. MARY’S (L) vs Boston Latin, 4 p.m. – The Wolfpack have delivered big performances against highly-ranked teams so far this year, recently taking down NDA (H). Spartans lock down on defense to hold them off.

Hingham vs ARCHBISHOP WILLIAMS, 5 p.m. – Parity has run wild in girls hockey, might as well run with it in favor of a contender that’s faced a rigorous schedule so far. Hingham won the first matchup in the Tenney Cup (5-3), but the Bishops step up to level the score.

Milton vs BRAINTREE, 7 p.m. – Braintree proved what it’s made of with success in the Tenney Cup, while Milton has surged as of late. This showdown of premier goalies could finish either way.

Andover vs HPNA, 7:10 p.m. – Nothing has been easy in the MVC/DCL Large, especially for HPNA. Its depth helps it grind out a close win.

Saturday

PEMBROKE vs Marshfield, 5:50 p.m. – Coaches were bullish on the strength of the Patriot League this year, and Marshfield has played every opponent tough so far. Pembroke gets the win as 100-point club member Jen Birolini closes in on some rare milestones.

Lincoln-Sudbury vs METHUEN/TEWKSBURY, 6:20 p.m. – One of the hottest defenses in the state takes on a Warriors attack that’s scored 12 goals over their last three. Red Rangers have posted a shutout in each of their last four, and another strong showing from the attack gets them the win.

Nauset vs BISHOP FEEHAN, 7:10 p.m. – Warriors have won tight matchups with top defense and goaltending, but the Shamrocks have the tools all over the ice to get the job done.