NEPSAC released updated classifications for boys and girls basketball this week.
The new classes have some significant changes, particularly in girls basketball, which will immediately affect next season's outlook.
There's a brand-new AAA class for girls that matches the boys. New teams have moved up to AA, while others have moved down classes. You can find the full list of classifications on NEPSAC's website.
Here are the biggest takeaways that will impact the upcoming championship chases.
A new top tier: Class AAA
Last year, NEPSAC's highest class was AA and had 14 teams in the mix. This year, there's an exclusive Class AAA with just seven schools: Dexter Southfield, Hoosac, New Hampton, Nobles, St. Andrew's, Tilton and Tabor. Six of the seven schools made last winter's Class AA playoffs (St. Andrew's was a AA team but did not make the postseason).
NEPSAC has not publicly released a playoff structure for Class AAA, but multiple coaches have said that every team will make the postseason, with the top seed earning a first-round bye.
Unsurprisingly, Class AAA will be a slugfest. Nobles, Tilton, Dexter Southfield and Tabor were the four 2023-24 AA semifinalists and all four teams will be among the best in NEPSAC again. Hoosac, New Hampton and St. Andrew's all have significant young talent that should keep them in the hunt. Circle every matchup between AAA teams on the calendar.
AA looks very different
So what happens to Class AA?
It's now only 10 schools strong. Some of last year's teams are still present: MacDuffie, Marianapolis, Northfield Mount Hermon, Storm King, Winchendon and Worcester Academy.
Reigning Class C champion Wilbraham and Monson highlights the four teams that moved up. Austin Prep, in its third year as a NEPSAC school, ascends from Class A. The next two were formerly down in Class D: Darrow, which lost in the first round of the playoffs, and Newman, which has dramatically revamped its girls program in the last two months.
Northfield Mount Hermon and Worcester Academy are the early favorites among the AA incumbents, while WMA and Austin Prep lead the new challengers.
Class B is big, and strong
The remaining school totals break down as follows: 21 in Class A, 28 in Class B, 22 in Class C and 23 in Class D.
Loomis Chaffee, the three-time reigning Class A champ, is in the same class again and perhaps the best team left of the bunch. Class A will be talented, but Class B might be just as impressive at the top while having more depth.
Rivers is the lone old AA team to move down. The Red Wings are in Class B in the first year under new head coach Kenny Small Jr. They're immediately one of the favorites, led by the college-bound senior quartet of Natalia Hall-Rosa (Seton Hall), Grace O'Sullivan (Princeton), Narissa Smith (Stonehill) and Chase Anderson (Amherst).
But the old Class B's stalwarts remain. Defending champion St. George's should again be in the title hunt with a first-year coach of its own in Angelina Marazzi. Beaver Country Day also made the Class B final last year. Dynamic Syracuse-bound guard Camdyn Nelson will help keep St. Luke's in the picture.
Come playoff time, the Class B matchups might rival any class in NEPSAC in terms of competitiveness.
