There hasn’t been a repeat champion in Class AAA since Northfield Mount Hermon went back to back in 2018 and 2019. Will that change this year?
No. 1 seed and defending champion Newman is the clear-cut favorite. But plenty of competitors in this eight-team class have plans to spoil the party. Some, like No. 3 St. Thomas More, have momentum heading into the tournament.
Class AAA treated us to a thrilling championship game last year, when Newman outlasted New Hampton in a wild instant classic. What will the encore look like?
Let’s break down the teams that make up this year’s Class AAA playoffs.
BRACKET TRACKER: Class AAA bracket | Class AA bracket | Class A bracket | Class B Large, B Small and C brackets
1. Newman (31-3)
Record against Class AAA field: 13-1
The defending champions might even be better this season. It starts with high-major college commits and leading scorers Lucas Morillo and Quinn Costello (Medford, Mass.). Morillo missed the first month of the season with an injury, but has returned to form as a nightly triple-double threat. These Cardinals can win in so many ways. Princeton commit Louis O’Keefe has taken a huge leap as a lead guard, Brown commit Timmy Bollin (Raynham, Mass.) brings defense and toughness and 6-foot-8 Columbia commit Atticus Richmond is a jack of all trades. That’s not to mention elite shooter and Penn commit Chase Geremia (Madison, Conn.) and high-level defending 2027 guard Jaylen Hunter-Coleman (Boston, Mass.) who highlight Newman’s strong depth. It’ll be hard to beat this experienced group, which has proven championship success and played in so many big games together.
2. Vermont Academy (19-12)
Record against Class AAA field: 8-6
The Wildcats – winners of six of their last seven entering the playoffs – are playing at a high level at the right time as the playoffs start. They’re battle-tested from a tough schedule that included national prep wins over Massanutten, Phelps, Erie Prep and Sunrise Christian PG, and a two-point overtime loss to Brewster Academy EYBL that showed this group’s potential. Top 2027 prospect Kamari Whyte leads the way as a two-way threat, while 2027 playmaker Mamadou Camara (Salem, Mass.) helps make up one of the best backcourts in NEPSAC. Fil Mozoul (Milton, Mass), a 6-foot-7 2027 shooting big and 2026 guards Rokas Zilys, DJ King and Musa Kusanga (Burlington, Vt.) help give this group dynamic options and experience.
BRACKET BREAKDOWNS: Class AA | Class A | Class B Large | Class B Small
3. St. Thomas More (25-11)
Record against Class AAA field: 8-6
Could the Chancellors be a sleeper in this year’s tournament? It’s hard to call any Jere Quinn team under the radar after his legendary career, but following the returns of Greyson Pierce (West Hartford, Conn.) and Bryce Liu last week from extended absences due to injury, STM is at full strength for the first time in a while and is hot going into the tournament after wins over Hoosac and New Hampton. Five of their class losses came shorthanded, but that won’t be the case for the tournament. Nationally-ranked 2027 prospect Patrick Otey (Westwood, Mass.) has been one of the best scorers in New England in his return to the region, while athletic wing DJ Hawkins (Farmington, Conn.) has made big strides as a junior. Add in Dillon Callahan, Johnny Keenan, David Smith and Bentley Shelton, and this group has the talent and depth to make a Super Sunday run.
4. New Hampton (18-16)
Record against Class AAA field: 7-7
After losing program fixtures in Keyshuan Tillery, Mason Blackwood, Ty Tabales and Naz Meyer, the Huskies entered the season with some uncertainty. But they still had some continuity. Richmond commit Chad Cook and shooting guard Jayden Harrington, who remains one of the top uncommitted prospects in the region, have carried the torch, while newcomers Wesley Waddles, Stetson Merritt and James Sanderson have all been critical contributors. New Hampton, which started the season 8-2 with a six-game winning streak, have struggled to find consistency since, but wins over Cushing plus a road victory over Bridgton last week have provided glimpses of its ceiling. These Huskies have proven their resilience, and with big-time shot makers in Harrington, Waddles and Merritt, in addition to the dynamic inside-out play from Cook, they’re never out of a game.
5. Bridgton (16-14)
Record against Class AAA field: 7-7
The Wolverines, of course, had to endure a midseason tragedy after the sudden, unexpected death of longtime coach Whit Lesure in early January. But they’ve pushed on and honored his legacy in inspirational fashion. They own the only win over Newman by any team in Class AAA, a thrilling 76-71 victory on Jan. 28. Colton Crowdis, an uncommitted guard from Canada, has been one of the best newcomers in NEPSAC basketball, a fearless shotmaker and playmaker who has elevated Bridgton this winter, while UMass commit Cheick Sylla overcame an early-season injury to resume his status as one of the best bigs in the region. This group will be a difficult out.
6. Hoosac (11-21)
Record against Class AAA field: 6-8
After winning just three games overall last season, Hoosac has doubled that total in just class games under coach Aleksander Miljenovic. All but one of those victories were at home – a road triumph over 8-seed South Kent – but wins over New Hampton, Vermont Academy and Darrow show this group is capable of making some noise. Dušan Erić, a 6-foot-8 forward from Serbia, and Nnadalu Noble, a 6-foot-10 big, headline their difficult combination of size, international experience and toughness.
7. Darrow (12-17)
Record against Class AAA field: 4-10
After winning 26 games overall in its first Class AAA season last winter, coach Antonio Anderson’s group has caught the injury bug, which has stopped them from creating significant momentum. But the Ducks are extremely scary as a No. 7 seed and capable of doing damage. They boast a neutral-court victory over defending prep national champion Putnam Science, nearly knocked off Newman last week and are battle-tested by one of the toughest schedules in the region. Mercyhurst commit Hunter Te Ratana is the star, while uncommitted guard Haisi Mayben, junior guard Nalajah Christopher (Worcester, Mass.) and forward Jack Seiders and newcomer Omari Scott give them plenty of toughness and options.
8. South Kent (5-19)
Record against Class AAA field: 3-11
It’s been an uphill battle for coach Craig Carter and the Cardinals this season, but they should enter the postseason with some optimism after grabbing wins over Darrow, Bridgton and New Hampton. Chris Birden, an uncommitted Division 1 prospect, is their biggest source of two-way production as a 6-foot-10 forward who can shoot, score and protect the rim. Grant MacDuffie and Begad Ibrahim, a pair of 2027 prospects, and 2028 guard Michael Parris have been valuable contributors this season and make up a bright future to build around at South Kent.
