Of all the NEPSAC class awards, Class AA may have been the most challenging to compile.
This is already a small class on its own and only five schools ended up in the playoffs. Additionally, injuries took their toll on several of the top players and teams. But don't let that overshadow the talent in AA, including seniors who make up some of the best and most productive players in New England.
Our awards, including Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, and our All-Class AA teams, come from a combination of perspectives. I have my own thoughts on players, but I also consult the stats, the voices of some opposing coaches, and the big moments from the winter season.
Here are our award winners in Class AA.
MORE NEPSAC AWARDS:Â Class AAA
Player of the Year: Olivia Fleming, Northfield Mount Hermon
Class of 2026, 5-7 guard
Hometown: Windham, N.H.
NCAA: Lehigh
Fleming completed her steady year-over-year growth with a stellar senior season, leading Northfield Mount Hermon to a AA semifinal berth (and a narrow overtime loss in that game). The quick point guard averaged 15.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.0 steals. She was a steady floor general and pesky perimeter defender, and coaches also took note of Fleming's growth off the ball.
Fleming and Darrow guard Jill Dingler were my primary candidates for Player of the Year, with Ella Getz of Worcester Academy receiving consideration as well.
Defensive Player of the Year: Fope Ayo, Austin Prep
Class of 2026, 6-5 center
Hometown: Methuen, Mass
NCAA: Michigan
Ayo earned a second consecutive Defensive Player of the Year award. She owned the paint with monster stat lines of 17.3 rebounds and 4.1 blocks per game. Ayo is also the top-ranked college prospect in our 2026 class with her combination of size, long arms and mobility around the paint.
Ayo and Worcester Academy forward Ella Getz were our leading finalists, with Getz' versatility earning respect from opposing coaches. Darrow didn't have one defensive focal point, but guard Dior Dobere, center DD Harcourt and the Ducks at large were a stifling unit.
Coach of the Year: Dan Sullivan, Worcester Academy
Sullivan is a repeat Coach of the Year, drawing significant praise from opponents. Worcester Academy graduated notable talent from last year's Class AA championship team highlighted by Player of the Year Elyse MacDonough. This could've been a down season, especially with multiple season-ending injuries and more minor health road bumps. Still, Sullivan guided the Hilltoppers back to the Class AA final and a 19-11 record.
Other coaches in consideration included Abby Streeter, who led a talented Darrow squad to a convincing AA title. Wes Howard also elevated Marianapolis to the playoffs.
All-Class AA First Team
Fope Ayo, Austin Prep
Class of 2026, 6-5 center
Hometown: Methuen, Mass
NCAA: Michigan
Along with her Defensive Player of the Year prowess, Ayo also averaged 22.3 points in the 18 games she played as a senior. Across her three years at Austin Prep, Ayo collected 1,289 points, 1,074 rebounds and 187 blocks.
Jill Dingler, Darrow
Class of 2026, 5-7 guard
Hometown: Storrs, Conn.
NCAA: Central Connecticut
Darrow's versatile two-way guard averaged 16.7 points, seven rebounds and three assists per game. Dingler was the engine in the Ducks' championship season and also an efficient scorer, hitting on 52 percent of her 2-pointers and 37 percent of her 3s.
Olivia Fleming, Northfield Mount Hermon
Class of 2026, 5-7 guard
Hometown: Windham, N.H.
NCAA: Lehigh
Fleming is our Player of the Year as mentioned above and also a two-time NEPSGBCA Player of the Year. In addition to her production this season, she graduates as our No. 10 prospect in the 2026 class and our top-ranked point guard.
Ella Getz, Worcester Academy
Class of 2026, 6-1 forward
Hometown: Wayland, Mass.
NCAA: UNH
Getz can impact winning in all sorts of ways, which helped put her in contention for both of our individual awards. She tallied 15 points, eight rebounds, 3.5 steals and two assists per game in the Hilltoppers' run to the Class AA final.
Caterina Ravosa, Wilbraham & Monson
Class of 2026, 6-2 forward
Hometown: East Longmeadow, Mass.
NCAA: Fairfield
Ravosa's injury status hampers her in the awards races; she did not take the floor until the end of January. But still, she was the leader for the semifinalist Titans upon her return, averaging 16.5 points and 8.6 rebounds. Ravosa finished prep school with well over 2,000 career points.
All-Class AA Second Team
Gracyn Barnes, Worcester Academy
Class of 2027, 5-7 guard
Hometown: Grafton, Mass.
NCAA: Stony Brook
Barnes fought off multiple nagging injuries and still took a step forward as the Hilltoppers' floor general. She averaged nine points, 4.5 rebounds, four assists and 2.5 steals.
Baileigh Kimball, Marianapolis
Class of 2028, 5-7 guard
Hometown: Charlton, Mass.
Kimball ran point for Marianapolis, one of the five AA playoff teams. She posted per-game lines of 12.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 2.2 steals.
Brooke Lilley, Darrow
Class of 2027, 5-6 guard
Hometown: Guilderland, N.Y.
Lilley transferred to Darrow and immediately became one of NEPSAC's premier 3-point sharpshooters. She drilled 39 percent of her 3s as part of her 13 points per game, also averaging five rebounds and three assists.
Zariah Ottley, Northfield Mount Hermon
Class of 2027, 5-7 guard
Hometown: Rockland, Mass.
Ottley leveled up as a scorer this season, averaging 14.6 points to help lead NMH alongside Fleming. She also added 7.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.4 steals.
Selah Prignano, Wilbraham & Monson
Class of 2026, 5-9 guard
Hometown: Newington, Conn.
NCAA: Sacred Heart
Prignano kept Wilbraham & Monson on course in the absence of Ravosa and put together a strong overall senior season. She logged 11 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game.
Honorable Mentions:Â Sidney Anderson (Marianapolis), Taelor Arnold (Darrow), Tiffany Burns (Austin Prep), Dior Dobere (Darrow), DD Harcourt (Darrow), Autumn Udoh (MacDuffie)
