We are officially... still more than a month away from the first NEPSAC regular season games. But with open gyms underway, we are raring to go with interesting storylines and previews for the upcoming winter.
One early question I always have: Which teams are going to surprise people?
NEPSAC playoff races can be cutthroat, especially in the A and B classes. Some quality schools missed out last season who I expect to bounce back. Meanwhile. several programs have clearly hit the recruiting trail hard. I think we'll see some new schools in playoff contention who you might not expect.
Here are 10 teams I believe will return to the postseason after missing it last year (or in one case, moving a class). The only class we've skipped is AAA, where all eight teams make the bracket.
Class AA
Brimmer & May
The young Gators took their lumps in their first season as a Class AA program, but I watched some games where they hung tough against top teams, like December's Girls Hoops Series Winter Classic matchup against Northfield Mount Hermon. Now they've added a proven winner in 2029 guard Genesis Castro, who's coming off an RIIL championship season at Barrington. The core of Corey Sims, Joy Mbugua, Avery Wozniak and Jaliah Duplessy is still all underclassmen. Those four have some experience at this level now and I wouldn't be shocked to see them swipe some wins from established teams.
MacDuffie
Most expect MacDuffie to contend for the Class AA title, so this is an obvious selection. Transfers Sammi Santacroce (from Suffield) and Layla Ljubuncic (from Lewis Mills) form a high-octane scoring duo in the backcourt. Senior and Central Connecticut commit Autumn Udoh can control the boards. Top 2029 wing Reese Jeamel is the ultimate swing player who could elevate MacDuffie's ceiling. The Mustangs did lose Maya Ocana-Saunders (transfer to Springfield Commonwealth), but they're still among the best AA rosters on paper and ready for a leap.
St. Andrew's
I'm stretching the rules here because St. Andrew's did automatically make the Class AAA postseason last winter. But I think this year's squad fits better in AA and is generally better-positioned to compete against NEPSAC's top teams. We know Aaralyn Scott is an entertaining lead guard and Ryanne Sheehan can splash 3s. I think St. Andrew's bolstered its backcourt with some underrated additions like Leila Belle McNair and Yu-Yen Tsai, who balled out at the Scholastic Showcase. If Manhattan commit Zoe Knight and newcomer Tajeaya Sterling can hold down the frontcourt, this is a versatile squad ready to contend.
Class A
Phillips Exeter
Mollie Puffer will be one of the best Class A newcomers from the moment the 2029 guard steps on the floor. The Sanford, Maine, native was already standing out at June's Scholastic Showcase. But she's not the only significant addition; Phillips Exeter also brought in postgrad guard Ella Smith, who powered Berwick to last year's Class C title. Those two join a roster led by returners Caroline Chadwick and Fiyin Filani, who I think are quietly solid rotation pieces.
Deerfield
Coach Deandre Ortiz has recruited hard in an effort to bring Deerfield to prominence. I'm already impressed by two newcomers — 2029 wing Aliya Monroe and 2030 guard Sydney McNeal — following their efforts at the NERR Elite 75 Frosh/Soph Showcase. Monroe especially is a transfer worth following with three Division 1 offers already. Sofia Hamilton is another high-profile transfer from New York in the 2028 class. Deerfield is very young and it will take time to grow chemistry, but the roster has been injected with talent.
Miss Porter's
Sarah von Dohlen might be one of the more underrated transfer moves, going from Greens Farms to Miss Porter's. The Middlebury commit can heat up behind the arc. Miss Porter's enters its second season under coach Aaron Hall and was in contention for a playoff spot down the stretch of last winter.
Class B Large
Rivers
Two years ago, Rivers emerged on top out of a chaotic Class B Large bracket with star power on the Red Wings' side. Last year, they missed the playoffs as they grappled with graduating those seniors. Most of the core is back this year. That includes Bowdoin commit Sarah Poland and high-level 2028 forward Amanda Martin, who each present matchup problems with their strength and skill combos. I also like the pairing of sharpshooting guard Steph Keel and athletic defender Joy Robinson in the backcourt. Rivers is due for a leap back into the postseason.
Greens Farms
Somewhat similarly, Greens Farms impressed in its first year under coach Dannie Powell two years ago when it made the Class B bracket, but the Dragons barely missed out last year. London Powell is back though, and the senior will be one of the most impactful two-way players in the class. I've already labeled shooting guard Allegra Paquette as one of the underrated players in the 2028 class. If Greens Farms has the depth around those two, they could definitely jump back into the bracket.
Class B Small
Brewster
The Bobcats were right on the edge of the B Small bracket last winter and I liked the games I got to watch. They have a bunch of guards who play off each other well, like Endicott commit Hailey Iwanski and sophomore Maizy Desrochers. Brewster did graduate 1,000-point scorer Lindsay Goetz, but a large chunk of last year's roster is back and should improve. The Bobcats also have a new head coach (and athletic director) in Dwayne Bryant.
Class C
Vermont Academy
Class C is always a murky playoff picture, but Vermont Academy appears to have pushed to add talent to its girls basketball program. I saw a couple of their promising underclassmen at the NERR Elite 75 Frosh/Soph Showcase — namely 2029 center Lillian Ako from Cameroon and 2030 guard Nilysia Kinch. Lexi Paquette was also one of Vermont's top high school players before reclassifying to 2029.
