Loomis Chaffee has reigned atop Class A for so long that at this point, many opposing NEPSAC coaches give the Pelicans the benefit of the doubt.
They've won four straight NEPSAC titles under head coach Adrian Stewart and are still considered the favorite in the class. But this is the most uncertainty the program has faced in a long time after graduating seven seniors, most of whom were stars or fixtures in the lineup. Stewart himself says there's still a lot to figure out with his younger, less experienced Pelicans roster.
"I don't know how you become just fine after graduating seven seniors," he said. "That's a lot of culture that's walked out the door all at once. But I will say that I am looking forward to the challenge. ... I sort of see them as a ball of clay, where we're molding together."
Here's what you should expect from the new-look Pelicans this winter.
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Two senior captains waited their turn
Izzy Cruz and Lauren Wright have been lesser-known names on the Pelicans for most of their high school careers. But after biding their time, not only are they now team captains, but they're also Division 1 basketball commits. In an era where playing time and exposure feel more desirable than ever, both seniors have seen the long game in their prep school development pay off.
"When I talk to families about basketball at Loomis, it's not just basketball, it's everything we offer, and part of that is stretching yourself and being uncomfortable and having to deal with some adversity. Both those kids did that. ... Whatever they achieve this season, they have earned every bit of it with their hard work," Stewart said.
Cruz, a Dartmouth commit from Stafford Springs, Conn., has learned behind some of Loomis Chaffee's great recent lead playmakers like Carys Baker (now at Virginia Tech), Ke'iara Odume (Yale) and Abby Congdon (Tufts). She didn't open last winter as a starter but had ascended to starter's minutes by the end, with Stewart believing she balanced the offense. Cruz can catch fire behind the 3-point arc, but she's also poised facilitating as a 5-foot-8 guard.
"She's just so smooth, and she's just playing with so much confidence," Stewart said. "She loves teaching out there on the floor. She's a true leader out there, and I think she's looking forward to and excited about demonstrating her ability to run this team."
In similar fashion, Wright (South Glastonbury, Conn.) evened out a loaded frontcourt headlined by Class A Player of the Year Alicia Mitchell (now at Columbia) and two-sport star Liv Westfort (playing volleyball at William & Mary). Wright, a 6-foot-1 forward committed to American, brings a different blend as a more versatile scorer and offensive post player.
Stewart has also noticed her embracing her new leadership role. One Saturday night this fall when he was leaving a Pelicans football game (Stewart is also the football team's defensive coordinator), he passed by the gym and saw Wright teaching two newer players footwork on their own.
"It was awesome. The kid's done the work, and she deserves a ton of credit," he said. "I am really, really excited for her for this year. I think for both of those kids, it'll be the first time in their high school careers where a team will be looking to them to to lead them."
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Leah McKenzie leads high-upside juniors
Amidst an upperclassmen-heavy rotation, McKenzie earned significant playing time as a sophomore transfer and seems lined up for a leap. The 6-foot shooting guard showed tremendous defensive upside with her length at her position and competitive motor. She also is a solid 3-point shooter off the catch and fit well into a 3-and-D-esque role.
McKenzie (Farmington, Conn.) has recently added Division 1 offers from Sacred Heart and Siena. Stewart believes she's ready for more responsibility on the ball as she gets better driving and attacking the basket.
"Being a playmaker with the ball in her hands — I think it's something that she hasn't had to do," he said. "My goal for her is to sort of round out her game in that way and help her develop (into) being a kid who can make the game easier for others as well."
McKenzie's junior class got a massive boost with the addition of Jacylah "LaLa" Goode, a transfer from Greens Farms. Goode (Derby, Conn.) brings a dynamic offensive punch as a 6-foot lefty wing who can knock down threes or bully opponents in the post. She recently picked up another Division 1 offer from Stonehill.
"Having three kids who are sort of in that 5-10 to 6-1 range, who can do a little everything — that makes us pretty versatile, and maybe allows us some flexibility on both ends of the floor," Stewart said.
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Wait and see on the sophomores
That's four go-to players in the new Pelicans rotation — which means there's still a lot of playing time up for grabs. Though it was very early at the time, the June NEPSAC Scholastic Showcase also highlighted some backcourt talent that Stewart is hyped about.
Sophomore guards Madison Wright and Neve Rugette complement each other and Cruz. Wright (East Hartford, Conn.) is a microwave perimeter shooter and hard-charging driving guard, while Rugette (Richmond Upon Thames, England) leaves defenders in the dust with her explosiveness off the dribble.
"They play with just so much more confidence, and they're again two kids who play with a lot of joy," Stewart said. "They are just out there hooping. For me, it's been really entertaining to just watch them have fun, talk trash and do the things that they really love to do."
One more sophomore to keep in mind: newcomer Itansan Eugene-Ajayi, a 6-foot-2 forward and another English player. Stewart was hesitant to reveal much about his potential secret weapon, but he describes Eugene-Ajayi as very physically strong for her age and a capable post player who's expanding her offensive repertoire.
"She's better than advertised, in my opinion, and I love her work ethic," he said. "She's got a ton of room to grow — super, super high ceiling — and she's one that has gotten a few raised eyebrows from (college) coaches who have come out to see us."
