We're still processing a whirlwind NEPSAC girls basketball postseason. But the stars have made themselves known.
In a playoff run with overtime classics, noteworthy upsets and down-to-the-wire championships, several around New England proved they were built for the bright spotlight.
This year, we're forming two NEPSAC All-Tournament teams. They heavily feature some of the top performers from the six championship teams and also mix in some additional standout individual efforts.
Here are 10 players who made their marks in March.
First Team
Maddie Benigni, Hamden Hall
Hometown: East Hampton, Conn.
NCAA: Quinnipiac
Benigni tied for the highest-scoring effort at Super Sunday, tossing in nearly half of her team's points (27) in the 55-47 triumph against Kimball Union. The NEPSGBCA Class B Small MVP also tallied 18 points in the quarterfinals against Cushing.
BACK TO BACK:Â Hamden Hall returns to the top in rematch win
Anna Moser, Hoosac
Class of 2027, 5-8 guard
Hometown: Rutland, Vt.
Moser was named MVP of the Class AAA tournament by NEPSGBCA. She logged a 30-point eruption in the quarterfinals to help Hoosac rally and defeat Newman, and she was second on the team in the championship game against New Hampton with nine points.
'FROM THE BOTTOM:'Â Hoosac defeats New Hampton in defensive AAA title bout
Lana Orietas, Berkshire
Class of 2028, 6-0 forward
Hometown: Voorheesville, N.Y.
Orietas was second on the Bears in scoring during the Class B Large championship with 12 points. But she was also pivotal in a narrow quarterfinal upset win against second-seeded Suffield, canning six 3-pointers en route to 23 points.
'TRUST YOUR TEAMMATE:'Â Berkshire rallies late to beat Lawrence Academy in overtime
Ella Smith, Berwick
Class of 2026, 5-8 guard
Hometown: Rye, N.H.
Smith capped a prolific Class C career in signature fashion, averaging 31.7 points across three games en route to a championship. That included 27 points and 17 rebounds on Super Sunday to help third-seeded Berwick take down top-seeded Wheeler.
Eva Wilkerson, Sacred Heart
Hometown: Amawalk, N.Y.
NCAA: Towson
Wilkerson dominated the Class A championship game, taking over the second half of Sacred Heart's victory over Loomis Chaffee with her six steals. She also finished with 17 points, six rebounds and seven assists. Wilkerson racked up 21 points and 14 rebounds in the semifinals and logged 16 points, 13 rebounds, five assists and five steals in the quarterfinals.
A NEW ERA:Â Sacred Heart stops Loomis Chaffee dynasty in Class A
Second Team
Taelor Arnold, Darrow
Class of 2027, 5-2 guard
Hometown: East Hartford, Conn.
The Ducks only played two games in their Class AA championship run, but Arnold left a lasting impression in both. She hit the winning layup with 7.2 seconds left in overtime of the semifinals, capping a 67-66 overtime triumph against Northfield Mount Hermon. Then in the championship, Arnold was one of four Ducks in double figures, scoring 11 points.
HEART OVER HEIGHT:Â Darrow's small guards lead the way to first AA title
Uliana "Lee" Doronina, Hoosac
Class of 2026, 6-2 guard/forward
Hometown: Russia
NCAA: Quinnipiac
Doronina was the two-way engine of Hoosac's championship win. She scored a team-high 14 points against New Hampton and also spearheaded the defensive effort against Ngenda.
Alivia Mauer, Berkshire
Class of 2026, 6-8 guard
Hometown: Lenox, Mass.
NCAA: RPI
Mauer earned B Large Tournament MVP honors from NEPSGBCA. She led the Bears in their thrilling championship win against Lawrence Academy with 13 points. That was highlighted by three 3s, including the first of the overtime period that earned Berkshire a 61-57 victory. Mauer also contributed 12 points in the quarterfinal upset against Suffield.
Elyse Ngenda, New Hampton
Class of 2026, 5-10 guard
Hometown: Bedford, N.H.
NCAA: Stanford
Ngenda helped New Hampton reach its first NEPSAC final in nine years, scoring 20 points in a 68-63 overtime semifinal thriller against Tilton. She also led the Huskies in the championship defeat with 13 points and scored 14 points in the quarterfinals against Nobles.
Leila Portugal, Kimball Union
Class of 2026, 5-8 guard
Hometown: Queens, N.Y.
Though the Wildcats came up short, Portugal was fantastic in the Class B Small championship game, tallying a team-high 21 points. One of the best remaining uncommitted seniors (to my knowledge) in the region, Portugal also racked up 18 points, seven rebounds, six assists and three steals to help Kimball Union hold off Holderness in the quarterfinals.
Honorable mentions:Â Dior Dobere (Darrow), Jill Dingler (Darrow), Tanavia Turpin (Hoosac), Molly Corcoran (Tabor), Serenity Lancaster (New Hampton), Tessa Porch (Hamden Hall), Nyasia Caban (Kimball Union), Kiera Paradis (Lawrence Academy)
