My first few weeks of covering NEPSAC basketball have been a treat.
NEBL opening weekend was terrific, with the top two teams in my preseason power rankings – New Hampton and Newman – scoring big victories over regional power Putnam Science. At least at the top, my initial rankings have felt validated. The cream of the crop in New England has not disappointed.
Now, as teams return from Thanksgiving break, we’re about to really get into the prep schedule. The Zero Gravity Prep Classic – one of the premier events on the New England prep basketball calendar – looms this weekend at the Dana Barros Basketball Club in Stoughton, Mass. The rest of NEPSAC beyond Class AAA and AA finally begins its schedules this week, and we have a fun few weeks before the Christmas break.
As games get underway again this week, it’s a perfect time to reset the boys NEPSAC power rankings with the first update of the season. There were some changes from the preseason rankings, with two new teams entering my Top 10. Let’s dive in.
1. New Hampton (6-0)
Previous ranking: 1
Next game: at Vermont Academy, Dec. 4, 4 p.m.
The Huskies have done nothing to drop from the top spot following their thrilling win over Putnam Science in the NEBL and strong victories over IMG Academy and Western Reserve at the National Prep Showcase to pace their 6-0 start. The star trio of Keyshuan Tillery, Mason Blackwood and Naz Meyer has been as good as advertised for the early Class AAA frontrunner.
2. Newman (6-1)
Previous ranking: 2
Next game: vs. St. Andrew’s, Dec. 4, 4 p.m.
The Cardinals suffered their first blemish at the National Prep Showcase with an overtime loss to Sunrise Christian, but even looked impressive in defeat after overcoming a sluggish start to erase a 19-point second-half deficit. Lucas Morillo, their do-it-all 2026 guard, has been the biggest early-season stock-riser in New England, and Newman’s strong depth has separated them.
Get your popcorn ready: Their first matchup against New Hampton looms this Sunday at the Zero Gravity Prep Classic in the most anticipated game of the season so far in New England. The winner likely takes the No. 1 spot in the next power rankings.
3. St. Thomas More (4-1)
Previous ranking: 4
Next game: vs. West Point Prep, Dec. 5, 6 p.m.
The Chancellors lost their final game before heading out for the Thanksgiving break when some disappointing late-game execution led to a 62-59 loss to Mount Zion at the National Prep Showcase. But longtime head coach Jere Quinn seemed encouraged, knowing his group of mostly post-graduates are still gelling. London Jemison has led the show, and teammates Brandon Benjamin, Shuto Sakihama and Tahlan Pettway have produced some encouraging performances thus far.
CATCHING UP: 10 boys team takeaways from the National Prep Showcase
4. Cushing (2-1)
Previous ranking: 5
Next game: vs. MacDuffie, Dec. 6, 7:15 p.m.
The Penguins had the most exciting win of NEBL opening weekend with a comeback overtime victory over CATS, which pushed them ahead of their Class AA rival for this ranking despite a loss to Link Year Prep at the NPS. On a team full of newcomers, returning 2025 uncommitted forward Jacob Davis has been Cushing’s best player. He made so many winning plays in the win over CATS. Newcomer Ryan Moesch is already one of the most exciting guards in the region, too.
5. CATS Academy (4-1)
Previous ranking: 3
Next game: vs. Mount St. Charles, Dec. 4, 4 p.m.
Don’t get this drop from 3 twisted; I still love head coach Cary Herer’s squad, and it rebounded very nicely from that tough loss to Cushing with convincing victories over Tilton, MacDuffie, and the Knox School, winning each by double digits. Led by Providence commit Jaylen Harrell, whose playmaking has been at a high level to start the season, this group’s maturity has been reflected in their business-like wins.
6. Darrow (5-1)
Previous ranking: NR
Next game: vs. Tabor, Dec. 6, 5:30 p.m.
I’ll admit, I didn’t see this coming so quickly. I was certainly intrigued by Darrow as it entered its first season in Class AAA with a new-look roster, but didn’t know what to expect. I’m already sold. The Ducks are legit. They played well in their season-opening loss to New Hampton, but after five straight wins, including a 30-point blowout over Fork Union at the National Prep Showcase, head coach Antonio Anderson’s group has put the rest of New England on notice.
7. Worcester Academy (2-0)
Previous ranking: 6
Next game: at Brimmer & May, Dec. 4, 5:30 p.m.
The Hilltoppers narrowly beat Kimball Union for a good season-opening road victory before thrashing OSL Prep at the National Prep Showcase. Amir Jenkins has seemed to transition well so far from MIAA to NEPSAC. Games against Brimmer, South Kent and Phelps this week will be good tests.
8. Vermont Academy (4-1)
Previous ranking: NR
Next game: vs. New Hampton, Dec. 4, 4 p.m.
The Wildcats went into the Thanksgiving break after a frustrating two-point loss to Link Year at the National Prep Showcase in which they held a late lead, but head coach John Zall’s group has had a strong start. The departures of Joson Sanon and Chike Ndefo from their Class AAA championship team last spring left some uncertainty, but some players have stepped up nicely. Daye Kaba, an uncommitted 2025 wing, has stepped into a scoring role, and 2027 guard Kamari Whyte has turned some heads.
9. Northfield Mount Hermon (2-1)
Previous ranking: 7
Next game at Hoosac, Dec. 4, 5:30 p.m.
The loss of big man Will Higgs to a season-ending torn ACL is significant, but I still like head coach Mike Shelton’s group. His top duo of guard Greg Brooks and forward Vincent Chaudhri is one of the best in New England, but Fairfield commit Nasir Rodriguez and Lehigh commit Andrew Urosevic really caught my eye with some electric performances in the Hoggies’ narrow loss to Phelps at the National Prep Showcase.
10. South Kent (4-2)
Previous ranking: 10
Next game: vs. Worcester Academy, Dec. 7, 2 p.m.
I wasn’t sure what to expect from South Kent after its sudden shakeup in September when head coach Raphael Chillious left for the NBA and guard Kelvin Odih transferred out, but first-year head coach Craig Carter is pulling the right strings for this group. The Cardinals’ victory over IMG Academy at the National Prep Showcase was a huge early-season confidence booster, and they did it mostly without star Badara Diakite, who was working his way back to 100 percent. I’m excited to see how the Iowa commit adds to this team following the break.
On the radar: St. George’s, Phillips Exeter, Bridgton, Kimball Union, Rivers
