Though we're still several months away from winter basketball, the upcoming NEPSAC season has been on my mind.
There are some fascinating storylines to monitor. Some of the dynasties that have epitomized recent years are entering transition periods. New, fast-rising programs have immediately made their mark. And with some major transfer names joining (or moving around) NEPSAC, the talent pool is as strong as ever — and in new places.
This is not a Top 10 ranking; I have a lot more to learn before I'm confident enough to construct that list. But I have two schools I view as a slight cut above the rest so far, and many more who I think could call themselves class contenders.
Here's a look at 10 squads I'm excited to watch when November finally arrives.
Darrow
Last season: 19-10, lost to Worcester Academy in Class AA championship
The Ducks went from a Class D afterthought to a Class AA finalist under first-year coach Abby Streeter, even cracking our final NEPSAC Top 10 ranking. They're in great shape to repeat even after graduating some backcourt pieces, incuding NEBJ All-Class AA First Team member Amanda Smith.
I'm a huge fan of Jill Dingler's versatility at shooting guard; she recently picked up a Division 1 offer from Binghamton. Jayla Hughley is an athletic guard who can break down a defense and make tough shots. The frontcourt duo of Daniella McLean and DD Harcourt is generating significant college interest. Darrow added some underrated transfers too, including Leni Rodriguez and Angelina Tirado. The Ducks won't be surprising anyone as a AA championship frontrunner next winter.
Dexter Southfield
Last season: 15-14, lost to Tilton in Class AAA quarterfinals
There's a ton of buzz around Dexter Southfield right now, and it's not just because Ella Peper (Newton, Mass.) is the fourth-ranked 2028 player in the country by ESPN. After a rocky 2024-25 season, Dexter has a new coach in Tammy Millsaps who comes highly-regarded from the Connecticut high school scene. Millsaps should provide a more focused direction for the entire program.
I expect Peper to take a significant step forward as a more confident leader in NEPSAC. Dexter still has Izzy Adams (Walpole, Mass.) rifling out passes, Brooke Nunnally-Gardner (Stoughton, Mass.) and Avery Bollin (Raynham, Mass.) patrolling the paint and Riley Hamilton (Lexington, Mass.) filling in gaps on the wing. I'm also very intrigued by the fit of 2028 reclass transfer Maeve Powers (Quincy, Mass.), who broke out in MIAA action with North Quincy. If Millsaps clicks with her squad, the ceiling is sky-high.
Hoosac
Last season: 15-12, lost to New Hampton in Class AAA quarterfinals
Anna Moser (Rutland, Vt.), aside from being a 2027 star who I enjoy watching, has some big fans in opposing NEPSAC coaching circles too. She showed out again at the Scholastic Showcase in June and should feel even more confident in her second season at this level.
Hoosac flies under the radar as a team, but aside from Moser, this is a squad loaded with size and physicality. Russian wing Uliana Doronina returns as a glue-playmaker of sorts. Hoosac also added Sophia Lee, a transfer from Storm King who should help fill the void left by the graduated Carolina Williams. I slept on Hoosac to start last winter and I won't make that mistake twice.
NEPSAC SHOWCASE STANDOUTS:Â 2026 | 2027 | 2028 and 2029
New Hampton
Last season: 19-9, lost to Nobles in Class AAA semifinals
It's between New Hampton and Tilton for my way-too-early No. 1 NEPSAC team. New Hampton has been on the verge of an ascension to true AAA contender status and runs back its dynamic 2026 duo of Elyse Ngenda (Bedford, N.H.) and Serenity Lancaster (New London, Conn.). I consider them two of the top five players in NEPSAC. Lancaster won Class AAA Defensive Player of the Year last winter and Ngenda, ranked No. 100 in the class by ESPN, made our All-Class AAA First Team.
Hopefully people aren't sleeping on New Hampton's transfer additions, specifically Kailey Sullivan (Foxboro, Mass.) and Chloe Dix. Sullivan was an All-MIAA First Team member and an 1,800 point scorer at Foxboro, and Dix has already impressed since arriving from Australia. Add in Casey Stores (Bellingham, Mass.), Shannon O'Leary (Marshfield, Mass.) and others, and the Huskies appear much deeper than last winter.
Newman
Last season: lost to Darrow in Class AA quarterfinals
Quite a few folks I've talked to are excited about Newman, which gets to catch its breath after a chaotic first season as a program. The Cardinals hired Katie Kolinski to provide some stability as head coach. They also moved up to Class AAA after holding their own in AA last season.
Morgan Jenkins (Higganum, Conn.) is among the most impactful transfers in NEPSAC after shining at Hotchkiss last season. She'll provide a massive boost in the frontcourt as an interior presence who can also step out and hit a 3-pointer. Gabby Middleton (Stoughton, Mass.) is back as one of the region's top 2027 prospects, and classmate Shannon Welburn (Wellesley, Mass.) provides a competitive spark in the backcourt. Contending in AAA requires another steep learning curve, but Newman looks like a class sleeper.
Nobles
Last season: 30-2, lost to Tilton in Class AAA championship
I'm never going to doubt an Alex Gallagher team. That being said, 2024-25 was the last year of superstars that defined Nobles' recent dynasty, including an 88-6 record across three seasons. This is very much a transition winter that will require several players acclimating to featured roles.
The potential is still super fun. I love the contrasting backourt of powerful 2028 star Alannah Morantus (North Attleboro, Mass.) and speedy, pesky 2026 guard Brynn Bryant (Dedham, Mass.). Izzy Kittredge, a 2027 transfer from Medfield, is a lights-out corner shooter who deserves more credit for her driving ability. Aliyah Allston-Pujols (Randolph, Mass.), Vanessa Ellis (Attleboro, Mass.) and 2029 guard Anabel Brooks (Marlboro, Mass.) add physicality across the lineup. This roster, despite being much younger, is going to frustrate opponents with its defensive tenacity and versatility.
Northfield Mount Hermon
Last season: 18-8, lost to Darrow in Class AA semifinals
Northfield Mount Hermon was the top seed in last winter's AA bracket but stumbled in the home loss to Darrow. Though the Division 1 frontcourt of Grace Minihane (Navy) and Ava Hoy (La Salle) is gone, NMH went out and reloaded. Molly Sisson (Rochester, Mass.) was a standout at St. Andrew's who recently committed to Eastern Michigan. Jocelyn Gesner comes from North Carolina as a 6-foot-3 stretch forward generating Division 1 interest.
The backcourt leaders are back, headlined by Lehigh-bound Olivia Fleming (Windham, N.H.), one of the top floor generals in NEPSAC. Fleming has two connective playmakers beside her in Breena Hannon (East Providence, R.I.) and Zariah Ottley (Rockland, Mass.). That's just the start of a deep roster I expect to contend again.
Sacred Heart
Last season: 22-5 lost to Loomis Chaffee in Class A championship
Is there a window for a Class A team to break Loomis Chaffee's grip on the trophy? As the Pelicans re-tool after graduating seven seniors, Sacred Heart feels like the most ready challenger after coming up just short in last year's championship battle.
Though shifty scoring guard Oushy Hassan is now at Arkansas, Eva Wilkerson returns as our Class A Defensive Player of the Year. Lucianna Parrotta ranks among my top wings in the 2027 class. Sacred Heart is missing some of last year's depth, but I liked what I saw from Ava Curto at the Scholastic Showcase. I also trust Ayo Hart, one of the more well-respected coaches in prep, to get the most out of her squad.
Tilton
Last season: 30-4, won Class AAA championship
So Tilton wins the AAA title and National Prep School Championship, then goes out and adds the No. 32 junior in the country in Bella Owumi (Lynn, Mass.). She joins a senior trio of Bela Cucuta (Newington, Conn.), Brooke Golden (Chester, N.H.) and Maddie McCaffery (Merrimack, N.H.) that collectively took major steps forward last season. And the Rams didn't stop there — 2028 transfer Lily Norton (Marblehead, Mass.) should get involved right away as a point guard who fits coach Tara Brisson's balanced, defense-first identity. Kam Derba (Easton, Mass.), a transfer from Dexter Southfield, adds an important additional 3-point threat. There's a chance this teams ends up as good, if not better, than last year's squad.
Wilbraham & Monson
Last season: 21-10, lost to Worcester Academy in Class AA semifinals
The Titans leapt from Class C to Class AA last winter, and though the adjustment was challenging, they largely found success. This roster has some of the best continuity among returners and should be in the championship picture.
Caterina Ravosa (East Longmeadow, Mass.) continues to dominate as an inside play-finisher and stretch forward, one of the best 2026 prospects in the region. There's quickness and defensive energy in the backcourt, highlighted by Selah Prignano (Newington, Conn.) and Iyanna Hodge (Springfield, Mass.). I'm also intrigued to see what 2028 center Addison Brennan (Monroe, Conn.) can do as a sophomore after an awesome breakout grassroots spring. WMA still exudes potential, but I think last year's experience will benefit everyone in the program.
More early teams to watch: Austin Prep, Berkshire, Hamden Hall, Loomis Chaffee, Suffield, Tabor, Worcester Academy
