While most of the top NEPSAC classes underwent notable changes with this fall’s reclassifications, Class A stood relatively untouched.
Many of the 21 schools in Class A are among the oldest, most steadfast prep schools in New England and the country. One coach explained that because these programs have such deep-rooted philosophies and traditions, they don’t feel as much pressure to move up and down like some of the other teams.
That doesn’t mean they’re content on the court. Class A is filled with talent, and even though one school has hogged the recent titles, there’s parity and competition throughout the division.
Here’s what we’ll be watching for this winter.
MORE: Preseason All-New England team | NEPSAC Power Rankings
Loomis Chaffee is on four-peat watch
The last three Class A championships reside in Windsor, Conn., and Loomis Chaffee has strong odds of adding to its trophy case this winter.
Loomis has to fill the void left by Class A Player of the Year Ke’iara Odume (now at Yale), but the rest of the team, headlined by six impact seniors, is loaded with championship experience.
The hype starts with Columbia commit Alicia Mitchell, who transitioned easily in her first NEPSAC season. Mitchell (Springfield, Mass.), the top talent in Class A, is an automatic double-double and imposing rim-protector at center.
She’s helped by Quinnipiac-bound Aniyah Neal, last year’s tournament MVP in Abby Congdon, athletic forward Liv Westfort, and knockdown shooters Catherine Chadwell and Sam Lehman.
Loomis also added reinforcements. Sophomore transfer Leah McKenzie could get on the floor quickly with her defensive impact. Don’t be surprised if freshmen Madi Wright and Neve Rugette earn meaningful playing time too.
PELICANS PREVIEW: What to expect from Loomis Chaffee in 2024-25
Don’t count out Kent
Kent lost, 47-39, in last year’s championship game, and though the team did graduate some key contributors, it’s still in a contending position under coach Jason Coulombe.
Morgan Johnson landed on the Class A All-NEPSAC list for her tenacity on defense and her ability to get hot from behind the arc. There’s a good chance her scoring bumps up in a larger role after averaging 12.1 points per game last season. Kent also made a notable splash by bringing in Englewood, N.J. transfer guard Celeste Harper. The Manhattan College commit should be an immediate staple in the backcourt after previously starring at Holy Angels.
“She's just made some huge strides,” Coulombe said. “She's certainly going to be somebody that can score from all three levels, and she's powerful and can really shoot it.”
Coulombe expects the team to lean on those two, plus juniors Kayla Nuttall and Agar Malek as well as athletic sophomore Mila Germana.
Hotchkiss’s 1-2 punch
Hotchkiss graduated seven seniors from last year’s roster that helped the team finish 16-7 and reach the Class A semifinals. They have a lot to replace but have a solid foundation with two stars on Division 1 college trajectories.
Kaila Richards, a senior from Far Rockaway, N.Y., has already committed to Bucknell, and has a strong case as the top Class A scoring guard. She teams up with forward Morgan Jenkins, whose stellar run on the AAU circuit with the Bay State Jaguars resulted in double-digit Division 1 offers just this summer.
Both Richards and Jenkins landed on our preseason All-Class A team, and they’ll be pivotal if Hotchkiss plans for another postseason run.
PRESEASON TEAMS: All-New England | All-NEPSAC AAA | All-NEPSAC AA | All-NEPSAC A | All-NEPSAC B
Sacred Heart is a sleeper
Despite graduating Payton Sfreddo — who set program records for points in a game (38), season (471) and career (1,577) — as well as high-level point guard Madison Hart, coach Ayo Hart has the pieces to stay in the class playoff picture.
It starts with Eva Wilkerson, who multiple opposing coaches cited as a guard to remember. Wilkerson recently reclassified to 2026 and was on a roll last winter before going down with injuries. The expectation is that when she does return, she’ll be a force again with her length and athleticism. Wilkerson will have help in the from co-captains Jadamarie Henry and Mackenzie Gillen.
Sacred Heart also boasts one of the top 2027 prospects in New England. Lucianna Parrotta landed on our first 2027 watch list with her versatility as a 6-foot wing. Parrotta represented Puerto Rico in the U17 FIBA World Cup this summer. Add in transfer Aisha Hassan, a guard from Egypt who just committed to Arkansas, and Sacred Heart has some talent with significant international experience.
Great guard depth
We’ve already mentioned some of the top guards in Class A like Congdon, Johnson, Richards and Wikerson. But the guard talent at several schools should make for some exciting backcourt matchups (and made for some tough calls on our preseason team).
One coach labeled Choate as a sleeper team this winter, and they have lefty junior Abigail Kim, wose off-dribble scoring and perimeter shooting popped over the summer at the NEPSAC Scholastic showcase. Thayer brings back a Class A All-NEPSAC member from last year in Elle Grant and an Honorable Mention in Jasmine James, a Franklin Pierce commit.
Elite guard play could ultimately be the difference in which Class A teams make it far.
