NEPSAC Class AAA has somewhat of a new look, but its firepower remains.
After Brewster Academy’s prep team left NEPSAC to join Power 5, Class AAA will welcome Darrow School – previously in Class AA – to the highest division in New England. It will take a lot for the Ducks to get to the top of the class. Four of the Class AAA’s eight teams were in our first power rankings of the season.
That doesn’t even include Vermont Academy, last season’s champion that had significant turnover this offseason but should be very competitive. There won’t be an easy night for any of these teams this winter.
As the season gets underway, here’s a breakdown of the eight teams that make up Class AAA.
Bridgton
Coach: Whit Lesure
Last season: 18-16, lost in Class AAA quarterfinals to Newman
Players to watch: Abdiel Zapata, G; Jake Cofield, F; Ajay Lopes, G; Connor Parkes, G; Joe Fitzgerald, G; Cheickna Sylla, C
Outlook: There will be some figuring out to do as Lesure determines whom he can trust when the lights come on, but there is promise with this group. Ajay Lopes, who won a state championship with Wareham last season, leads a group of MIAA transfers heading up to Maine. Jake Cofield and Cheickna Sylla give them some much-needed size up front, and Lesure likes the balance of his roster.
Darrow
Coach: Antonio Anderson
Last season: 7-20
Players to watch: Anas Rezk, G; Ibrahim Gati, F; Teshaun Steele, F; Nalajah Christopher, G; Derek Delgardo, G; Danny Delgardo, G; Khalil Carlson, G
Outlook: Darrow enters its first season in Class AAA after moving up from AA, replacing Brewster in the division as they look to elevate the school’s profile and increase their competition and opportunities on the court. Anderson, in his second year, isn’t predicting the Ducks to win the league, but he expects them to compete. Rezk and Gati return, and Anderson recruited a crop of transfers who fit an up-tempo style of play.
MOVING UP: How Darrow is approaching first season in NEPSAC Class AAA
Hoosac
Coach: Nemo Maric
Last season: 13-15, lost in Class AAA quarterfinals to New Hampton
Players to watch: Aleksa Vlajic, F; Maruan Cicic, C; Nikolas Mitrovic, C; Unai Fernandez, G; Luka Pesic, G; Leo Ryott, G
Outlook: On paper, Hoosac may have the best size in Class AAA this season with two intriguing 7-footers in Cicic and Mitrovic, and skilled 6-foot-10 power forward in Vlajic. They are all getting high-major Division 1 interest. Maric’s group is deep, but has many newcomers. It could take time for them to adapt to NEPSAC, but they could certainly surprise some teams.
New Hampton
Coach: Andrew Gale
Last season: 30-10, lost in Class AAA championship game to Vermont Academy
Players to watch: Keyshuan Tillery, G; Mason Blackwood, F; Nasir Meyer, G; Jayden Harrington, G; Ty Tabales, G; Chad Cook, F
Outlook: The Huskies return the nucleus of last season’s team that fell short in the Class AAA final, and it’s a group that’s motivated to get over the hump. It’s led by Keyshuan Tillery and Mason Blackwood, who both joined the program in 2022, led its turnaround and have learned important lessons along the way. Improved defense has been a focal point for Gale, who’s stressing more off-ball activity and deflections.
POWER RANKINGS: Who's No. 1 in our first boys NEPSAC Top 10?
Newman
Coach: Jackson Johnson
Last season: 26-12, lost in Class AAA semifinals to Vermont Academy
Players to watch: Collins Onyejiaka, C; Jalen Harper, G; Aidan Losiewicz, G; Reggie Grodin, G; Carson McDonald, F; Chase Geremia, G; Quinn Costello, F
Outlook: Newman has the deepest and most talented team since joining Class AAA two years ago, and Johnson has a ton of versatility at his disposal. Collins Onyejiaka is a unique force in the paint, and he’s surrounded by shooters and dynamic players all over the court. He hopes the Cardinals’ depth will consistently wear teams out late in games.
St. Thomas More
Coach: Jere Quinn
Last season: 29-9, lost in Class AAA semifinals to New Hampton
Players to watch: London Jemison, F; Christian Humphrey, F; Kieran Mullen, C; Brandon Benjamin, F; Shuto Sakihama, G; Tahlan Pettway, G; Bryce Goldman, G
Outlook: London Jemison, an Alabama commit and one of the best players in New England, is the lone returner for St. Thomas More, but Quinn’s squad still has big expectations. The Chancellors are loaded with postgraduate and Division 1 level talent, and Quinn loves his roster’s versatility, especially in the frontcourt, where there’s a ton of length. “We have a variety pack of things we can do,” Quinn said. Bryce Goldman won’t be ready until the second semester, but the Chancellors still boast an exciting backcourt of Shuto Sakihama and Tahlan Pettway.
PREP PREVIEWS: New Hampton | Newman | St. Thomas More | Vermont Academy
South Kent
Coach: Craig Carter
Last season: 18-19, lost in Class AAA quarterfinals to Vermont Academy
Players to watch: Badara Diakite, F; Rashawn Tibby, F; Tim Walker, G; Nate Brazil, G; Chris Birden, F; Alex Bryant, F; Adam Chiacchia, F
Outlook: The Cardinals went through a sudden transition after longtime head coach Raphael Chillious left in September to take a job with the Memphis Grizzlies. Kelvin Odih, one of the top guards in the country, also left South Kent soon after. But the Cardinals still return plenty of talent, and Carter, who’s new this season, has been impressed with the buy-in so far. They bring in 10 newcomers, and there’s plenty of promise as they continue to gel together.
RELATED: Why Craig Carter is ready for first head coaching job at South Kent
Vermont Academy
Coach: John Zall
Last season: 29-8, won Class AAA championship
Players to watch: Jakye Rainey, G; Zack Scherler, F; Emmanuel Cheung, G; Isiah Rose, F; Daye Kaba, F; Luke Brown, F; Nolan Raymond, G; Elijah Small, F
Outlook: Vermont Academy lost several key players, including two program pillars – Joson Sanon and Chike Ndefo – who lifted them to last season's championship, but Zall is excited about the pieces he has this winter, which features several newcomers. One of them is Rainey, a postgraduate who could be the most exciting guard in Class AAA. Scherler, who only played 13 games last season, looks primed for a big season. This group might not have the top-end talent it had last year, but it has a high ceiling if it all comes together, especially on defense.
