Braintree senior Ethan Elie delivered a powerhouse performance in the Adams Tournament during the final week of December. Players from Cambridge, Catholic Memorial, Central Catholic, Milton, and Tewksbury also drew praise for strong showings, setting a competitive tone for Eastern Mass. high school hoops.

Central Catholic ascended to the No. 1 spot in the latest Globe Top 20 boys’ basketball poll, thanks to three consecutive victories in the Commonwealth Motors Classic. Meanwhile, Cambridge captured its own holiday tournament title and made an impressive entrance at No. 12.