With AAU basketball behind us, it's time to start the slow ramp-up to the winter prep basketball season. We've already been thinking about the top players and teams returning to NEPSAC — and so have the coaches.
We sent out our first NEPSAC girls coaches' survey out this month to get a sense of the players, teams and discussion topics in prep school right now. Coaches were granted anonymity so they could more freely express their opinions.
Thanks to the coaches who took the time to provide thoughtful answers.
Here's Part 1 of our survey results, focusing on the top players coming back (or into) NEPSAC next season.
Who is the best overall player in NEPSAC?
In our most important question, we had a split majority: Ella Peper vs. Elyse Ngenda.
Peper (Newton, Mass.), the fourth-ranked recruit in the national 2028 class according to ESPN, enters her sophomore year at Dexter Southfield having already spent three years on varsity. She has swept up 35 Division 1 offers and took another noticeable leap forward during the AAU season.
"(She's) already separating herself on both sides of the floor — looks like she's added about 10 pounds of muscle to her body over the last eight months," one coach said.
Voters praised Peper's versatility as a 6-foot-4 wing who is already a high-level 3-point shooter and do-it-all defender.
"Ella Peper's continued to grow, and if she doesn't float to the perimeter and can establish a presence inside and out, she could possibly be the best player in the NEPSAC," another coach said.
In contrast, Ngenda (Bedford, N.H.) is older and more experienced as a lead scorer at New Hampton. The rising senior guard averaged 16.5 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.9 steals last winter. She's No. 100 in ESPN's 2026 rankings and holds a plethora of offers herself, including Stanford, Princeton, Mississippi State and more.
"Her versatility. Leadership qualities. Down-to-earth character," one coach said. "Being a good player is about so much more than skill. Being 'the best' really means you need the full package. If I could take one player off any other team it would be Elyse, hands down."
Ngenda made our All-NEPSAC AAA First Team for her steady production throughout the season, leading New Hampton to the semifinals. Her unflappable poise drew the most praise from NEPSAC coaches.
"She is as steady as they come and doesn't get rattled. Very skilled, great leader and makes the right play for her team at each moment of the game," said another coach.
Peper and Ngenda paced the vote-getters by far, but one coach shouted out incoming Tilton transfer Bella Owumi (Lynn, Mass.). Another went to bat for Hoosac rising junior Anna Moser (Rutland, Vt.).
"(Moser is) an offensive weapon who can score in a variety of ways. Can also defend the length of the floor against opposing teams point guards," the coach said. "It is hard to pick a 'best' player because of the loads of talent that exist in the NEPSAC, but she is one that requires a ton of attention and can singlehandedly win games for her team."
Who is the best guard in NEPSAC?
Ngenda received the most votes here, and Moser also earned a nod.
Two coaches picked Alannah Morantus. The North Attleboro, Mass., native landed on our All-NEPSAC Class B First Team at Cushing last winter but has since reclassified to 2028 and transferred to Nobles.
"Shifty, strong guard with great size — (she) can score at all three levels, but thrives getting to the free throw line," one coach said.
Bela Cucuta (Newington, Conn.) received multiple shoutouts after leading Tilton in scoring en route to a Class AAA championship. She recently announced her commitment to George Washington.
"(She) can take you out of the game quickly with her 3, but (is) solid off the dribble," a coach said.
Northfield Mount Hermon's Olivia Fleming (Windham, N.H.) was mentioned twice, with one coach labeling her and Dexter Southfield's Izzy Adams (Walpole, Mass.) as the best ball-handlers in NEPSAC. Eva Wilkerson (Sacred Heart/Cortlandt Manor, N.Y.) and Selah Prignano (Wilbraham & Monson/Newington, Conn.) also earned mentions.
Who is the best wing/forward in NEPSAC?
Bella Owumi has not played a single game in NEPSAC – yet she split this question's majority with Peper, also earning a vote in the guards section.
Owumi won an MIAA championship at St. Mary's last March and soared during AAU season, earning a No. 32 ranking in ESPN's 2027 class hierarchy while racking up more high-major offers. Coaches expect the 6-footer's explosive athleticism and lockdown defense to translate right away at Tilton. One gave a one-word response: "beast."
"Sight unseen would have to be Bella Owumi. A returner would be Ella Peper," said one torn coach. "Owumi’s creativity is second to none. Peper’s ceiling is ridiculous."
Besides Owumi and Peper, Tabor rising junior Corinne Lomax (Watertown, Conn.) earned a quick shoutout. One coach voted for Athena Thompson, but the former Putnam Science wing has actually transferred to Blair Academy (and reclassified to 2027).
Who is the best post player/big in NEPSAC?
This was a closely-contested question between three rising senior stars with very different styles. New Hampton's Serenity Lancaster barely beat out Fope Ayo and Caterina Ravosa;Â Lancaster also earned an additional vote as a wing/forward.
Lancaster (New London, Conn.) won our Class AAA Defensive Player of the Year award. She's perhaps the most versatile defender of the three and the best 1-on-1 scorer.
"She has proven she can defend well and be a strong shot blocker and rebounder," a coach said of Lancaster. "Offensively she can score however which way against her opponent. She sets screens well and finishes around the rim."
Added another: "I'd say Serenity at this point because of her continued skill growth and motor. She can keep up with the pace of play much better in year two of NEPSAC and she will be on every scouting report."
Ayo is the most highly-regarded college prospect in the trio, ranked No. 34 by ESPN in the 2026 national class. She also took home our Defensive Player of the Year award in Class AA at Austin Prep. Coaches appreciate Ayo's obvious size and defensive presence at 6-foot-5, paired with impressive mobility.
"Pro size, skill set, ability to guard the perimeter and paint. (Her) athleticism and I.Q. are unmatched," one coach said.
Ravosa, who just committed to Fairfield, is the most productive on offense as a legitimate stretch big. She averaged 20.9 points and 9.3 rebounds at Wilbraham & Monson last season to land on our All-Class AA First Team.
"She's one of the only bigs that has the full package of size, skill, and versatility on both sides of the ball," said one coach.
Behind those three were single-vote-getters. Those were Morgan Jenkins (Higganum, Conn.) at Newman, Lomax again at Tabor, and a coach-proclaimed sleeper to watch, 2028 center Addison Brennan (Monroe, Conn.) at Wilbraham & Monson.
Who's the most underrated player (not on your team) in NEPSAC?
This question expectedly drew the widest array of responses.
Dexter Southfield was the only school to have multiple players nominated. Coaches separately lauded Izzy Adams and Brooke Nunnally-Gardner (Stoughton, Mass.), who are both Div. 1 prospects in the Class of 2026.
"(Nunnally-Gardner) has tremendous size, but also has good mobility and ball skills," said a coach. "She's reliable, consistent, self-aware, and hasn't gotten nearly enough press or recruitment for her impact and abilities."
"In a conference loaded with explosive guards and shooters, Izzy has flown relatively under the radar," another said of Adams. "She is crafty with the ball, a solid defender, a vocal leader, and really knows how to set up her teammates."
Anna Moser again received a mention, with the coach claiming that her relatively quiet presence on the court and on social media far undersells her talent. Eva Wilkerson and Alannah Morantus, who were part of our guards section, also got recognized here. Another guard who could take a leap: Colgate commit Molly Corcoran (Tabor/Medford, Mass.).
"She is very talented and exudes confidence," a coach said of Corcoran. "I think she has often been in the shadows of other 'big' name players on Tabor, however I view her as one of the best guards in NEPSAC."
One respondent nominated Vanessa Ellis (Attleboro, Mass.), a versatile wing who could play a larger role at Nobles after the Bulldogs' star scorers graduated. Holderness rising senior Maeve Rhatigan, also a lacrosse commit to Hopkins, got a mention in Class B. Aaralyn Scott (Barrington, R.I.) was an interesting name noted as a top 2028 prospect at St. Andrew's.
"Very talented and has a chance to take a big leap," a coach said. "She doesn't get a lot of publicity, but she is a solid guard and will be one of the catalysts for St. Andrew's next year if she becomes more consistent."
