MEDFIELD, Mass. — During the summer, when the Northeast High School Senior Showcase shone a spotlight on top MIAA boys, I wondered why a similar exposure event didn't exist on the girls side. Fast forward three months, and a group led by Medfield coach Mark Nickerson has successfully pulled it off.
The first Eastern Mass. Showcase took place at Medfield High on Tuesday, bringing two rosters of 25 top girls in the region together for a 40-minute game. Like the boys showcase, it is not officially sanctioned by the MIAA, though coaches still had to obey the association's rules about out-of-season coaching. Foxboro coach Lisa Downs helmed one team while three of her players suited up on the other side, led by Millis coach Dave Fallon. Even though Nickerson had three of his players in the showcase, he was restrained to cheering on the sideline.
"It's the first time I've come to a game and I don't really care who wins," he said. "It's an unnatural feeling for me."
But Nickerson was still plenty nervous. He had worked to build rosters with star power, market the game to spectators and college coaches, live-stream it for scouts who couldn't attend in-person and arrange for special jerseys. The teams even practiced together a day earlier, and before the game, Medfield alum and former Harvard basketball player Maggie McCarthy spoke to them about her own college journey.
Nickerson knew the first go-round needed to feel special to promote buy-in. He recognized its importance in showing MIAA players they can still receive exposure without transferring to a prep school. Nickerson mentioned that one of his new players had an AAU coach in her ear, pushing for her to go the prep route, before she even got to Medfield.
"We're trying to keep people here," he said. "I'm trying to keep people in Medfield. I know public school coaches are trying to keep their kids in their schools. It's becoming more and more challenging."
This first attempt couldn't have gone much better. The crowd was large and Team Downs prevailed in a high-intensity but high-scoring, 86-75 contest. Though the fallout on the recruiting front will eventually matter, the Eastern Mass. Showcase showed us some of the many stars who will influence the upcoming season. Here are eight players who stood out.
Avery Gamble, Oliver Ames
Class of 2026, 5-7 guard
If the Eastern Mass. Showcase had an MVP award, it would have gone to Gamble. She scored a game-high 17 points, including four 3-pointers, and looked comfortable firing away from anywhere on the perimeter. Gamble profiles as more of a combo guard, but she ran the offense a lot for Team Downs. She also showed a willingness to attack downhill as the game progressed, managing a nice drive from the wing that turned into an and-1 layup. Gamble is quick as a runner and shooter, making her a tough cover defenses constantly need to track.
Gamble is one of the top returners in the MIAA, and she says she hasn't seriously considered leaving Oliver Ames for prep school.
"Honestly, I have a lot of fun in public school," she said. "Obviously, academically, and just, all my friends are there. And I find that when I'm playing with my friends and when I'm learning with my friends, I enjoy it more, and that makes me enjoy basketball more."
Mollie Mullen, Bishop Feehan
Class of 2026, 5-9 guard
Mullen (13 points) was also awesome on Team Downs. She's developed her dribbling and overall confidence with the ball in her hands. Her shot preparation also seems improved; on her three made 3s and some pull-up 2s, she was able to consistently get herself squared up and looked good rising into her form. Mullen had some strong moments on help defense, rotating in to get steals and adding an emphatic block from behind on one layup attempt. She may be the breakout player to watch on the title-contending Shamrocks.
Aniela Kwo, Central Catholic
Class of 2025, 5-10 forward
I knew Kwo was a high-motor rebounder and she certainly feasted on the glass in this game. But I was more impressed by her attacking mindset when she had the ball and the space to drive. She can handle the ball better than I anticipated and flashed some burst to turn the corner against defenders. Kwo finished with 8 points, got to the foul line a bunch, and spearheaded the effort plays that kept Team Downs in front.
Maliah Pierre, Whitman-Hanson
Class of 2027, 5-9 wing
Pierre keeps making great impressions as a sophomore breakout candidate. She's gotten stronger physically and it's made her a versatile matchup stopper on defense. Pierre also displayed consistent touch on floaters close to the rim. She can drive the ball herself, or work off of cuts and screen-and-rolls to get open, and she finished those chances at a high clip with 10 points. Even since the summer, when I first saw Pierre play a great game in a showcase, she's improved noticeably.
Maddy Cotter, Nashoba
Class of 2027, 5-10 wing
Cotter only scored three points and wasn't near the flashiest player on Team Downs. But I have to give her props for some of the best defense I saw the entire night. She had to guard post players older, taller and stronger than her, and she consistently battled to make post shot attempts difficult and box out on rebounds. Cotter was also an active team defender who disrupted drives with her hands and mucked up plays as a helper. Her stretch of defense in the late second quarter helped Team Downs build its initial double-digit lead.
Bella Bingham, Walpole
Class of 2026, 5-8 wing
Bingham led Team Fallon with 13 points and gave us a glimpse of what can be as she ascends to Walpole's top option this winter. She's a fast, strong wing who can handle and push the ball up in the open floor. Team Fallon also used her out of the post several times, where she went to work quickly and effectively. She defended the post just as well, put in work on the glass, and made 5 of 6 free throw attempts. Bingham has the athletic tools to separate herself. I'll also be putting her in our list-to-come of MIAA breakout candidates.
Kailey Sullivan, Foxboro
Class of 2025, 5-8 guard
It took a bit for Sullivan to get going, but she finished with 11 points and dazzled late as the showcase's best pure scorer. Sullivan had one nasty head-fake along the right baseline that cleared an entire driving lane for herself, resulting in an easy layup that drew one of the most awestruck crowd reactions. She followed it up with a quick-trigger 3-pointer and also hit a tough turnaround bucket in the mid-range earlier in the game. Sullivan has been drawing Division 3 interest and is one of the top uncommitted players left in the 2025 class.
Izzy Kittredge, Medfield
Class of 2026, 6-0 wing
Kittredge was paired up with Medfield teammate Naya Annigeri on Team Fallon, and there were times we could see their developed chemistry pay off, including a nice screen-and-roll moment that got Kittredge an easy bucket. Her versatility shined in this game. Kittredge worked a bit more inside than usual, but still stepped out for one of her easy 3-pointers, and was difficult to deal with on both ends of the floor because of her size and mobility. Kittredge is a pivotal reason why Medfield is the favorite to repeat in Division 2.
