Last season, the Class B boys playoffs treated us to one of the best championship stories in the region, as Brooks finally took down Rivers behind Alex Wilkins’ epic heroics.
What does 2026 have in store?
Class B was split into two divisions this year – and the first playoff week for Class B Large promises to be exciting. Top-seeded St. Mark’s is looking for a breakthrough as the No. 1 seed, but class giants like Rivers and Brooks still linger.
Let’s break down the teams in the Class B Large playoffs.
BRACKET TRACKER: Class AAA bracket | Class AA bracket | Class A bracket | Class B Large, B Small and C brackets
1. St. Mark’s (19-6)
Record against Class B Large playoff field: 2-0
After making its first NEPSAC playoff appearance in a decade last winter, the Lions made an expected leap forward in a historic winter under coach Justin Perron. They went 13-1 in-class – including the first win over Rivers in 11 years and first win over Brooks in 14 years – as they secured the program’s highest playoff seed since 2012 and first home playoff game since 2015. Trinity commit Alex Echevarria is the leader of this group, with several exciting juniors around him. Point forward Luca Palermo (Andover, Mass.) has been a breakout star, CJ Farrell (Milford, Mass.) is a two-way force at guard and Donovan Clement (Pawtucket, R.I.), a 6-foot-8 wing, has been one of the highest stock-risers regionally in the 2027 class. All four of them average double figures in points. They’re the favorite to hoist the trophy this Sunday at Worcester Academy.
2. Canterbury (17-7)
Record against Class B Large playoff field: 2-0
Since 2019, Canterbury has made five Class B playoff appearances and been a top two seed each time, including winning the 2020 title as the No. 2 seed. But the Saints will try to erase some recent frustration; a No. 2 seed in both 2024 and 2025, they lost in the semifinals on home court in both years. Canterbury is once again the No. 2 after a strong close to the regular season in which it won seven of its last nine games. Coach Brian Fruscio’s group can win inside and out, with 2027 guard EJ Ashby, 2026 wing Jared Strand (Ridgefield, Conn.) and 2026 6-foot-10 forward Dashiell Mabilon leading the charge.
BRACKET BREAKDOWNS: Class AAA | Class AA | Class A | Class B Small
3. Rivers (16-9)
Record against Class B Large playoff field: 3-1
There was some uncertainty entering this season after the Red Wings graduated the core – Ryan Altman, Andrew Alekseynko, Robby Fiore and Jordy Schwartz – from their dynastic era. But the success has been sustained with some fresh faces. Newcomers Ikenna Okafor (Brockton, Mass.) and Jack Millward (Wakefield, Mass.), both 2027 prospects, have fit in seamlessly alongside 2028 returner Patrick Costello (Natick, Mass.) to form a big three, while 2026 returner Chais Harriette (Mattapan, Mass.) has wreaked havoc as one of the best perimeter defenders in this class. Rivers always seems to play its best at this time of year; they’ve made four consecutive Class B finals.
The Red Wings may also be playing with some extra emotion and motivation this week. The school announced on Monday that longtime head coach Keith Zalaski – who has led the program to three Class B championships and two ISL titles – will be departing at the end of the season, with assistant coach Jacob Werrick taking over.
4. Greenwich Country Day (18-6)
Record against Class B Large playoff field: 1-2
Since at least 2009 – which is as far as the public NEPSAC tournament history goes – the Tigers have only made one playoff appearance (2024) and this will mark their first home playoff game in that span. They’ll also look to grab their first playoff win, with a formidable core of Trinity commit Rowan Introzzi, Nick Triolo, Noah Williams and Chandler Bligen, who recently recorded the first 20-rebound game in program history.
5. Masters School (NY) (17-5)
Record against Class B Large playoff field: 2-0
Led by coach Joey Kuhl, it’s been a breakthrough season for the Panthers, who are making their first Class B playoff appearance since 2015, when they were also the No. 5 seed. A mix of veteran experience and promising prospects lead this group. It starts with captain Omari Levy, a 2026 guard/forward who sets the tone defensively with his effort and versatility. Damian Mojica, a 6-foot-7 2028 prospect, Luc Brongniart, a 6-foot-8 senior committed to Skidmore and 2026 Hudson Rodriguez lead the way offensively. This team has tons of size, length and two-way versatility, and they have road wins over Canterbury and Greenwich Country Day. They could be a sleeper in this bracket.
6. Austin Prep (17-7)
Record against Class B Large playoff field: 0-2
The Cougars are making their first NEPSAC playoff appearance since joining the league in 2022, and while they may be a year away from true playoff contention, they could easily make some noise with their talent level. This young group has matured throughout the winter, with 2027 guard Marvin Avery (Lynn, Mass.) continuing to lead the way. Izzy Wane (Lowell, Mass.), a 2027 6-foot-6 wing, and William Nunes (Danvers, Mass.), a 2028 6-foot-4 guard, have each been among the top stock-risers in their respective classes. Beyond them, 2027 guard Izaac Skehan (Tewksbury, Mass.) has proven to be a strong floor general with a 2:1 assist to turnover ratio, and 2028 guard Sean Dolan (Lowell, Mass.) has wreaked havoc on defense.
7. Westminster (12-9)
Record against Class B Large playoff field: 0-1
Westminster is making its first playoff appearance since 2017, and coach David Pringle’s group enters the postseason with some momentum, having won five of its last six games, including wins over Avon Old Farms and Pomfret. The Martlets are led by a dynamic duo; Alcorn State commit Ethan Griffin (West Haven, Conn.) is a double-double threat every night, while 2027 guard Julien Wiggins – who will be with the Middlesex Magic this spring and summer – has been one of the class’ top stock-risers. He’s averaging more than 23 points per game and is a game-breaker on both ends.
8. Brooks (13-12)
Record against Class B Large playoff field: 0-3
The defending Class B champions may not have superstar Alex Wilkins – now at Furman and one of the best freshmen in the country – anymore, but there are several returning players with championship experience still around. Coach Kenya Jones’s team has had to grind through the injury bug this season; several players have missed time, and star forward Riley Clarke (Winchester, Mass.) is done for the season after re-injuring his knee. Junior guard Daniel Cassamajor (Rockland, Mass.) has stepped up significantly, senior captain Trokon Harris (Lowell, Mass.) has continued to be a stat-stuffer, while Noah Walker (Providence, R.I.) provided versatile defense. Younger 2028 prospects like Eric Figueroa (Townsend, Mass.), LJ Vigo Catata (Haverhill, Mass.), Jayden Gibson (Stoughton, Mass.) and Max Maturah (Littleton, Mass.) have made valuable contributions, too.
This group may lack offensive firepower and a go-to scorer like Wilkins last season, but they have found ways to win with gritty defense. And after they won an unlikely title as the No. 6 seed last year, it’s hard to count them out.
