Recently, much of the attention in New England basketball has been focused on prep school, with the NEPSAC Scholastic Showcases being the main event on the June calendar.
But with recruiting in full force this summer, it's worth a reminder that the region's state association high schools still collect plenty of standout college-caliber talent.
We've compiled a quick guide to the top girls prospects in each New England state. You'll notice a wide range, from potential high-major Division 1 players to great finds at Division 2 and 3 levels. To emphasize: I've picked players based on talent and college projection and not necessarily high school achievements, though I'll acknowledge those below. You'll see rising seniors and current Division 1 commits all the way down to must-know 2030 stars.
Here are my top five prospects for Connecticut, Maine and Massachusetts high schools to make up Part 1 of this roundup. Massachusetts is always stocked with impressive depth of talent, purely because it's so much larger than the other New England states. I think Maine is building something special with its top young talent, but the best public school prospect might be an incoming Connecticut freshman.
Connecticut
Kaylynn Bennett, East Catholic
Class of 2030, 6-0 guard
Grassroots program: Mass Rivals
Bennett is only just entering high school, but she's already ascended to elite status in this region. She's collected three Power Four offers from Boston College, Pitt and Illinois this year while holding her own on Mass Rivals' top 17U program. With size, strength and poise far beyond her years, Bennett would be my top-ranked incoming freshman in the region if I were building a list.
Lia Calderon, North Haven
Class of 2027, 5-8 guard
Grassroots program: Connecticut Basketball Club
Calderon averaged 14.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 3.7 steals as a junior. She's clearly a great rebounding guard, but Calderon plays with a general high motor and effort level. She has a tight handle and can finish creatively around the basket.
Zuri Faison, Greenwich
Class of 2028, 6-0 wing
Grassroots program: Pivot Elite Hoops
Faison was the engine behind Greenwich's monumental Division 1 championship this past winter. She's carried that momentum into a breakthrough AAU season, earning offers from Iona and Delaware in addition to Stony Brook from last year. Faison's special explosiveness and length make her a difficult athlete to stop. She can dominate the boards as a wing, defend multiple positions and win on drives to the basket.
Hailey Mayo, Coventry
Class of 2028, 6-1 center
Grassroots program: CT Starters
Mayo is a two-time CIAC champion — and that's just in basketball. She's also a state champion in track & field as a javelin and shot put thrower, and she's a title-winning volleyball player too. On the court, Mayo is a pure post player who controls the boards, runs the floor hard and finishes strong through contact.
Synaa Waters, Fitch
Class of 2027, 5-7 guard
Grassroots program: iBelieve Elite
NCAA: Central Connecticut
Waters just announced her college commitment this past week after she put up massive numbers as a junior: 24.3 points, 14.3 rebounds, 4.6 steals, 3.8 assists and 1.4 blocks per game. She's a takeover pull-up scorer who is adept at reading defenses and getting to her spots.
Maine
Olivia Breen, Oceanside
Class of 2029, 6-2 forward
Grassroots program: Bay State Jaguars
Breen could be one of Maine's best girls basketball prospects in recent years. She has a 50-point game to her name from her freshman year and has added offers from Providence, Harvard and Boston College this spring. A strong, skilled scorer, Breen can work inside-out as both a post player and stretch forward.
Jordyn Crump, Biddeford
Class of 2027, 5-8 guard
Grassroots program: Maine Firecrackers
NCAA: Colgate
Crump was the first member of New England's 2027 class to commit to a Division 1 school. She's long been one of the more recognizable names from Maine. Crump's versatility helps her make an impact without taking over possessions, and she can score on and off the ball effectively.
Kristin King, Cheverus
Class of 2029, 5-7 (estimate) guard
Grassroots program: Maine Firecrackers
King emerged as a second go-to player for Cheverus behind star Kylie Lamson last season and was the top performer in her team's stunning comeback Class A championship victory with 24 points. She has a tight handle and impressive quickness off the dribble that already helped her burn defenses as a freshman.
Lydia Lizotte, Thornton Academy
Class of 2029, 6-0 forward
Grassroots program: Bay State Jaguars
I think Lizotte is underrated for what she brings in versatility as a forward. She can score out of the post, but she's also fast and a mobile defender. She first stood out to me at the Atlantic City Showcase in May and I want to see what a sophomore leap could look like.
Annie Whitmore, South Portland
Class of 2027, 5-8 guard
Grassroots program: Maine Firecrackers
Whitmore is just so solid and consistent in her winning impact. She's a standout cutter and capable 3-point shooter who makes great decisions with the ball in her hands. I also appreciate her defensive effort level and clear leadership traits. Whitmore was named Southern Maine Activities Association Defensive Player of the Year as a junior and appeared on the Bangor Daily News' all-state first team.
More names to know: Maine is in an exciting spot right now with its elite prospects coming up the ranks. I'll give you three more players to remember: 2027 guard Abbey Steele (Gray-New Gloucester), 2028 guard Natalia Silva (Biddeford) and 2029 6-foot-4 center Emma Madore (Lewiston).
Massachusetts
Abby Broderick, Medfield
Class of 2028, 5-10 guard
Grassroots program: Bay State Jaguars
Broderick skyrocketed as a sophomore on the Division 2 state champions, pacing Medfield with 19.1 points per game and landing on our All-MIAA Second Team. She added a Harvard offer during the grassroots season. Broderick is one of the best pure shooters in the MIAA and made 43 percent of her 3s last season. She's also tough and growing as an aggressive off-dribble playmaker.
Caprese Conyers, Pittsfield
Class of 2028, 5-4 guard
Grassroots program: Albany Lady Stars
Conyers floored me during the Division 3 title game with her incredible defensive instincts and open-floor speed. She boasts two offers from Delaware State and Siena and should have Pittsfield as a frontrunner to capture a state championship next winter.
Kayla Dunlap, Natick
Class of 2028, 6-0 forward
Grassroots program: Bay State Jaguars
Dunlap was dominant at Natick during her sophomore season, averaging 21 points, five rebounds and three steals. She has immediate standout athletic tools and long arms that impact the game defensively, but her skill with the ball and budding 3-point shot give her very high upside.
Sysy Mcausland Emmanuel, St. Mary's
Class of 2029, 5-9 guard
Grassroots program: MCW Starz
Emmanuel is up to six Div. 1 offers, adding UCF, Providence and UMass this year as she plays up a year on MCW's top 16U team. Her innate shiftiness and ability to separate with the ball make her tough to guard. Emmanuel has also improved in reading the floor and in her shot selection as her pull-up scoring continues to grow. She landed on our All-MIAA Third Team as a freshman.
Zi'Yan Wallace, Springfield Central
Class of 2029, 6-0 forward
Grassroots program: Springfield Lady Ballers
Wallace carries so much potential with her combination of strength, scoring touch and skill with the ball. She led Springfield Central to the Division 1 final last winter and has the Golden Eagles atop our way-too-early summer rankings. Wallace has landed her first offers from UMass, Iona, Delaware and UMBC. If she can be more consistent with her focus and playmaking, Wallace truly has a high-major ceiling in my opinion.
More names to know: Massachusetts is by far the largest state in terms of girls basketball participation, so it naturally has additional notable prospects. Wachusett point guard Teegan Lanpher is the top MIAA prospect in the 2027 class. I would also note these names: 2028s Charleigh Green (St. Mary's) and Giavanna Mars (Springfield Central), plus 2029s Zahara Wilson (Minnechaug) and Gabby Davis (Quincy).
