Who lands in the Top 10 of our first boys NEPSAC power rankings?
It was a difficult question. The top of our inaugural rankings is loaded, with the clear-cut favorites of Class AAA and AA making up the first five spots. After that, the rankings get trickier. There are several teams with great potential to make championship runs this winter, and there’s a Class A squad thrown into the mix, too.
The first rankings are an inexact science. No games have been played yet, though that changes this weekend as New Hampton visits Darrow and Hoosac to tip off the NEPSAC season. The first rankings are mostly based on returning talent. We expect them to change quite a bit once the season gets going.
Here’s our first crack at the NEPSAC power rankings, which we will update throughout the winter.
1. New Hampton
Coach: Andrew Gale
Last season: 30-10, lost in Class AAA championship game to Vermont Academy
Players to watch: Keyshuan Tillery, G; Mason Blackwood, F; Nasir Meyer, G; Jayden Harrington, G; Ty Tabales, G; Chad Cook, F
Outlook: The Huskies return the nucleus of last season’s team that fell short in the Class AAA final, and it’s a group that’s motivated to get over the hump. It’s led by Tillery and Blackwood, who both joined the program in 2022, led its turnaround and have learned important lessons along the way. Improved defense has been a focal point for Gale, who’s stressing more off-ball activity and deflections.
2. Newman
Coach: Jackson Johnson
Last season: 26-12, lost in Class AAA semifinals to Vermont Academy
Players to watch: Collins Onyejiaka, C; Jalen Harper, G; Aidan Losiewicz, G; Reggie Grodin, G; Carson McDonald, F; Chase Geremia, G; Quinn Costello, F
Outlook: Newman has the deepest and most talented team since joining Class AAA two years ago, and Johnson has a ton of versatility at his disposal. Collins Onyejiaka is a unique force in the paint, and he’s surrounded by shooters and dynamic players all over the court. He hopes the Cardinals’ depth will consistently wear teams out late in games.
3. CATS Academy
Coach: Cary Herer
Last season: 21-10, lost in Class AA quarterfinals to Winchendon
Players to watch: Jaylen Harrell, G; Jaxson Terry, G; Desmond Bellot, G; Leo Curtis, C; Julien Kabori, F; Jaylin Williams-Crawford, F; Nelson Mboudjika, F
Outlook: One of the most talented and athletic teams in New England, CATS is a frontrunner to win Class AA this season. Fueled by a dynamic backcourt that includes Jaylen Harrell, the reigning Gatorade Player of the Year, and 2026 guards Jaxson Terry and Desmond Bellot, CATS has the tools to score and defend at a high level. With so much talent, sacrifice will be required for this group to reach its potential.
4. St. Thomas More
Coach: Jere Quinn
Last season: 29-9, lost in Class AAA semifinals to New Hampton
Players to watch: London Jemison, F; Christian Humphrey, F; Kieran Mullen, C; Brandon Benjamin, F; Shuto Sakihama, G; Tahlan Pettway, G; Bryce Goldman, G
Outlook: London Jemison, an Alabama commit and one of the best players in New England, is the lone returner for St. Thomas More, but Quinn’s squad still has big expectations. The Chancellors are loaded with postgraduate and Division 1 level talent, and Quinn loves his roster’s versatility, especially in the frontcourt, where there’s a ton of length. “We have a variety pack of things we can do,” Quinn said. Goldman won’t be ready until the second semester, but the Chancellors still boast an exciting backcourt of Shuto Sakihama and Tahlan Pettway.
5. Cushing
Coach: James Cormier
Last season: 22-8, lost in Class AA quarterfinals to Brimmer & May
Players to watch: Jay Jones, G; Jacob Davis, F; Frederik Jellum, F; David Melson, G; John Price, G; Ryan Moesch, G; Elliot Erickson, F; Ryan Ward, G
Outlook: After an upset loss in last season’s playoffs, Cushing enters this season with a better mix of talent and intangibles. Cormier added Rivers transfer Jay Jones, a three-time NEPSAC champion, as he built a deep roster that includes returners Jacob Davis, David Melson, Elliot Erickson and captain Ryan Ward. Frederik Jellum (who has professional experience in Denmark), John Price and Ryan Moesch add more firepower as newcomers, and 7-footers Coley Mark and Theo Edema have huge potential and provide a unique look. This squad has it all.
6. Worcester Academy
Coach: Jamie Sullivan
Last season: 14-17, lost in Class AA quarterfinals to Northfield Mount Hermon
Players to watch: Jake Blackburn, G; Amir Jenkins, G; Cam Hailey, G; Connor Swider, F; Chris Leman, F; Michael Ellerbrook, G; Jordan McFadden, G; Ryan Sullivan, C; Payton Kamin, G
Outlook: The Hilltoppers were slowed down by injuries last season, but should be back in the mix for a championship this winter. Sullivan’s group has elite shooting, offensive firepower and one of the best backcourts in New England, which includes Worcester North transfer Amir Jenkins after he won back-to-back MIAA titles. Sullivan loves the leadership of his group, and there’s plenty of winning experience; Jake Blackburn was a member of two NEPSAC title teams. This squad has the right mix to go deep in March.
7. Northfield Mount Hermon
Coach: Michael Shelton
Last season: 15-13, lost in Class AA semifinals to Bradford Christian
Players to watch: Greg Brooks, G; Vincent Chaudhri, F; Andrew Urosevic, G; Nasir Rodriguez, G; Jaylen Hunter-Coleman, G; William Higgs, F/C; Nate Djanogly, F; Chris Daniels, F
Outlook: NMH brings back its top two scorers from last season, Greg Brooks and Vincent Chaudhri, but Shelton is excited because he doesn’t have to rely on them. He loves the flexibility of his roster and how many ways they can play. They have scorers, shooters, strong on-ball defenders and rim protection. And with a mix of postgraduate and veteran players and younger guys, Shelton likes how his program is trending toward his vision of more sustainability as he enters his third season. “That’s what we’re trying to build towards,” he said. “It’s not going to happen overnight.”
8. St. George’s
Coach: Dwayne Pina
Last season: 21-10, lost in Class AA quarterfinals to Bradford Christian
Players to watch: Barrett Loer, G/F; Dylan Veillette, F; Yancarlos Cueto, G; Allyn Wright, G; Dywane Chess, G; Ethan Njenga, G; Casey Bazzano, G
Outlook: As St. George’s enters its fourth season in Class AA, Pina believes this is the most experienced and talented squad he’s had. Barrett Loer, a Rhode Island commit, will return after he missed most of last season due to injury. He headlines a selfless group that can score at a high level. Pina has a squad full of high-level guards, who, if they can stay healthy, should be in the mix for both a Class AA and ISL championship.
9. Phillips Exeter
Coach: Jay Tilton
Last season: 19-5, won Class A championship
Players to watch: Ryder Frost, F; Tyler Bike, G; Jordan McConnell, C; Max Albinson, G; Cade Furse, G; Luke Soden, G; Rob Blandburg, F
Outlook: Exeter won its fifth Class A championship last winter the hard way as the No. 6 seed, and it reinforced to Tilton how important the process is to ensure they’re playing their best basketball in March. Ryder Frost is the star of the show, and should be even better with a full NEPSAC season under his belt, and he’s surrounded by a good mix, including Tyler Bike, last season’s tournament MVP, and Jordan McConnell, who has matured in a lot of ways.
10. South Kent
Coach: Craig Carter
Last season: 18-19, lost in Class AAA quarterfinals to Vermont Academy
Players to watch: Badara Diakite, F; Rashawn Tibby, F; Tim Walker, G; Nate Brazil, G; Chris Birden, F; Alex Bryant, F; Adam Chiacchia, G
Outlook: The Cardinals went through a sudden transition after longtime head coach Raphael Chillious left in September to take a job with the Memphis Grizzlies. Kelvin Odih, one of the top guards in the country, also left South Kent soon after. But the Cardinals still return plenty of talent, and Carter, who’s new this season, has been impressed with the buy-in so far. They bring in 10 newcomers, and there’s plenty of promise as they continue to gel together.
On the radar: Vermont Academy, Winchendon, Kimball Union, Rivers
