With Hoophall now in the rearview mirror, the stretch run of the NEPSAC season has begun. That means tons of matchups within classes between now and the start of March as teams jockey for playoff positioning.
It also means those teams are going to beat up on each other, causing some havoc in our power rankings.
In the last week alone in Class AAA, Darrow took down St. Thomas More, St. Thomas More and New Hampton both beat Newman, and Newman got even with a win over St. Thomas More. Are you keeping up?
I did my best to make sense of it all in the latest NEPSAC Boys Top 10.
1. New Hampton (16-2)
Previous ranking: 2
Next game: vs. Hoosac, Jan. 29, 5 p.m.
The Huskies have responded to that brutal loss to Phillips Exeter a few weeks ago with four consecutive wins, stamped by an 84-69 victory over Newman on Saturday. They certainly had the advantage of being at home, but I give them the slight edge in the rankings based on current form. Their last four wins are by an average margin of 25 points.
2. Newman (18-5)
Previous ranking: 1
Next game: at Bridgton, Jan. 29, 4 p.m.
The Cardinals lost two of their three games last week, but both were on the road. They finished a brutal seven-game stretch – Cushing, Darrow, Vermont Academy, Perkiomen, St. Thomas More, New Hampton, St. Thomas More – with a respectable 4-3 record.
MORE: Check out our NEPSAC Boys Midseason Report
3. Cushing (12-4)
Previous ranking: 3
Next game: vs. Winchendon, Jan. 29, 2 p.m.
The Penguins extended their winning streak to four games with two convincing wins last week – 76-47 over Winchendon and 79-64 over Masters.
4. CATS (16-3)
Previous ranking: 4
Next game: vs. Brimmer & May, Jan. 28, 6 p.m.
The Griffins have won seven of their eight games since returning from the break. They have a big opportunity this Saturday when they host Newman in the first game of an NEBL quadrupleheader. Those games were originally scheduled to be played at the Track at New Balance, Newman’s home facility, but fortunately for CATS, relocated to their home gym.
5. St. Thomas More (17-4)
Previous ranking: 6
Next game: vs. South Kent, Jan. 28, 6:30 p.m.
The Chancellors move up in front of Darrow thanks to a strong win over Newman. Star wing London Jemison wasn’t 100 percent for Sunday’s rematch loss. He had an illness during the week, but fought through it to play big minutes in a game that was there for the taking before Newman pulled away late. Uncommitted postgraduate forward Brandon Benjamin was a monster inside. It was an overall encouraging week for St. Thomas More.
6. Darrow (15-6)
Previous ranking: 5
Next game: vs. Bridgeport Prep, Jan. 29, 6 p.m.
The Ducks picked up a strong 74-60 home win over South Kent last Thursday, as Teshaun Steele continued his impressive recent play with 12 points, five rebounds, two steals and two blocks, while Haisi Mayben scored 15 and Khalil Carlson scored 14 points, respectively.
7. Phillips Exeter (12-0)
Previous ranking: 8
Next game: vs. Belmont Hill, Jan. 29, 3:30 p.m.
I’m tempted to rank Exeter higher after its dominant 82-52 victory on the road against Northfield Mount Hermon, but the overall strength of schedules for teams above them is preventing me from pulling the trigger. But this group is legit, and has proven it’s capable of beating any team in NEPSAC.
8. St. George’s (12-1)
Previous ranking: 9
Next game: vs. Governor’s Academy, Jan. 29, 4 p.m.
The Dragons are still flying under the radar a bit. Wednesday’s game against Governor’s is a matchup of the last two remaining undefeated teams in the ISL.
9. Northfield Mount Hermon (14-4)
Previous ranking: 7
Next game: at Worcester Academy, Jan. 29, 4:30 p.m.
Just a bad day for NMH, who got smoked at home by Exeter. Head coach Mike Shelton is hoping his talented squad can learn from it, and they face a difficult road test to try to get back on track against a strong Worcester Academy team. The Hilltoppers lead the Class AA standings and are knocking on the door of these rankings.
10. Williston Northampton (11-0)
Previous ranking: 10
Next game: at Taft, Jan. 29, 3 p.m.
The Wildcats continued to roll last week with a 77-59 win over Salisbury and 88-62 victory over Avon Old Farms.
ON THE RADAR: Worcester Academy, Vermont Academy, Kimball Union, Tabor, Choate, Millbrook, Canterbury
