Last year, Class AA was the home of six stars in the top 20 of our Best of New England 2026 player rankings.
Those seniors have all departed, which means the picture of top talent in this class looks quite different.
That said, this also feels like the most competitive Class AA has been in a while. Darrow, last year's winner, has moved up to AAA, and the race to replace the Ducks on the throne is wide open.
Here are 10 players who could help decide the next champion. A reminder that these watch lists are shaped by who I believe will have the biggest impact on this coming winter season — not merely the top 10 college prospects. Class AA also has some prominent players new to the region who I've left off because I want to learn more first.
Sidney Anderson, Marianapolis
Class of 2027, 6-0 wing
Hometown: Brooklyn, Conn.
NCAA: Daemen
Marianapolis' roster is balanced, but I think Anderson's 3-and-D role means a lot on a smaller team. She averaged 12.8 points and canned 36 percent of her 3s last winter while also collecting 4.7 rebounds, 1.5 steals and a block per game. Anderson's long arms and speed on the wing make her a tough defensive matchup.
Gracyn Barnes, Worcester Academy
Class of 2027, 5-6 guard
Hometown: Grafton, Mass.
NCAA: Stony BrookÂ
Barnes averaged nine points, 4.5 assists and 2.5 steals per game on the AA finalists last season, but her junior year was marred by multiple injuries and setbacks. Health permitting, Barnes is among the best guards in AA, sitting at No. 12 in our 2027 prospect rankings. She's super quick off the dribble and a tenacious perimeter defender.
Addison Brennan, Wilbraham & Monson
Class of 2028, 6-3 center
Hometown: Monroe, Conn.
The runway is totally clear for Brennan in the frontcourt after star forward Caterina Ravosa graduated. If her Scholastic Showcase was any indication, Brennan is ready to be a forceful interior presence for the Titans who can also stretch the floor. She's fourth in our 2028 prospect rankings and holds more than 20 scholarship offers.
Tiffany Burns, Austin Prep
Class of 2027, 5-9 guard
Hometown: Methuen, Mass.
NCAA: Niagara
A quick-twitch point guard who can finish through contact at the rim, Burns recently announced her Division 1 commitment to Niagara. She'll shoulder even more responsibility at Austin Prep this year as a senior and leader of a young team. Burns averaged 12 points, 6.5 assists and 2.5 steals last season.
Genesis Castro, Brimmer & May
Class of 2029, 5-5 guard
Hometown: Barrington, R.I.
Castro was among Rhode Island's most dynamic public school stars, leading Barrington to a RIIL championship as a sophomore point guard. Now in NEPSAC, she should make an impact right away with her quickness and craft off the dribble. I expect a step forward from Brimmer & May as a Class AA competitor with Castro as a go-to playmaker.
Maddie Keough, Worcester Academy
Class of 2027, 5-10 wing
Hometown: Norfolk, Mass.
NCAA: Daemen
Among several solid wings on the Hilltoppers, Keough stands out as a catch-and-shoot threat behind the arc. She can also take matchups off the dribble on straight-line drives, and she's a versatile defensive piece. Keough should be an important leader in Worcester Academy's quest back to the top of AA.
Layla Ljubuncic, MacDuffie
Class of 2028, 5-7 guard
Hometown: Burlington, Conn.
Ljubuncic tore up the CIAC at Lewis Mills, scoring more than 1,000 points and setting her school's single-game record with 11 made 3s. She is immediately one of NEPSAC's best sharpshooters upon transferring and reclassifying. Ljubuncic saw her Division 1 interest catch fire over the summer and fall, nabbing offers from Bryant, UNH and Loyola Maryland.
Zariah Ottley, Northfield Mount Hermon
Class of 2027, 5-7 guard
Hometown: Rockland, Mass.
NCAA: Boston University
Ottley is our top-ranked senior in Class AA at No. 7 in our 2027 prospect rankings. She truly does a bit of everything and posted 14.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.4 steals as a junior. With Olivia Fleming graduated, Ottley will take center stage in the NMH program.
Aaralyn Scott, St. Andrew's
Class of 2028, 5-7 guard
Hometown: Providence, R.I.
With St. Andrew's now in AA, expect Scott to lead her team in a playoff push. She's super fun to watch as a strong guard with advanced craft as a ball-handler and scorer. Scott can hit difficult shots at all three levels and is a better on-ball defender than she gets credit for.
Autumn Udoh, MacDuffie
Class of 2027, 6-0 forward
Hometown: Bristol, Conn.
NCAA: Central Connecticut
Udoh's presence on the boards and in the paint is hugely important if MacDuffie believes it's ready to compete for a championship. She's a routine double-double threat as an athletic forward who can outleap and outmuscle opponents around the glass. Udoh also takes on difficult defensive assignments, be it centers or more agile forwards.
