At last, the season has started for every team across NEPSAC boys basketball.
Competition began for several teams in Class AAA and AA last month, and the rest of the region caught up last week. Naturally, we have some movement in the power rankings.
Six teams from Class AAA remain in the rankings, but Kimball Union’s loss to Cheshire at the Zero Gravity Prep Classic last weekend created change in the bottom half of the Top 10. The Prep Classic gave us a good barometer of where many teams stand at this stage of the season, and I’m expecting some more shakeups from the holiday tournaments over the next two weeks before teams depart for winter break.
Here’s our first NEPSAC boys Top 10 update since the Thanksgiving break.
TOP 10 ARCHIVES: Preseason | Nov. 17 | Nov. 25
1. Newman (9-0)
Previous ranking: 1
Next game: vs. Blair Academy, Dec. 13, 3:30 p.m. (at Scholar Roundball)
The Cardinals haven’t played their best ball yet, but it hasn’t mattered. After wins over Phelps and HODAN Prep on Saturday and Sunday at the Prep Classic, Newman came out a bit sluggish Tuesday night at home vs. Diamond Doves OTE and even trailed at halftime. But behind a historic shooting performance from Chase Geremia (Madison, Conn.), the Cardinals rallied for an 85-63 win, closing the game on a 24-5 run over the final 11 minutes. Geremia broke Newman’s single-game 3-point record with 12 triples in the victory en route to a career-high 39 points. The Penn commit shattered the previous record of seven 3-pointers shared by him and his older brother, Hudson.
Newman will have a chance to rest its legs over the next few days, which will be much-needed ahead of its highly-anticipated clash against Blair Academy – one of the top prep teams in the country – on Saturday at Scholar Roundball in Worcester, Mass. Let’s hope the Hart Center has enough popcorn for that one.
2. Cushing (5-1)
Previous ranking: 2
Next game: vs. Rocktop Academy, Dec. 11, 5 p.m. (at IMG Academy)
The Penguins needed to overcome an early second-half deficit to beat MacDuffie on Friday at the Prep Classic before handling South Kent, 66-49, on Sunday. Unfortunate news on the injury front: Nate Blenman, their exciting frontcourt addition, re-injured his foot, and 7-footer Coley Mark (Brookline, Mass.) went down Friday with an ankle injury, but Cushing is optimistic that both injuries won’t sideline them long. It’s just a next-man-up mentality for the Penguins; everyone is capable of contributing regardless of circumstances. It was good to see Anthony Vick (Boston, Mass.), who’s had a slow start to the season, catch fire with two big back-to-back 3-pointers that changed the momentum for the Penguins in the second half. There was joy on his face.
PREP CLASSIC: 10 takeaways | 8 uncommitted 2026 standouts
3. New Hampton (6-3)
Previous ranking: 3
Next game: vs. Worcester Academy, Dec. 10, 4 p.m.
The Huskies went 4-0, but it wasn’t easy. They held off Vermont Academy, 66-59, and trailed against Tilton late before finishing strong for a 98-86 win. But they’ll certainly take the wins with learning lessons as this young group continues to learn what it takes. James Sanderson was impactful with 20 points and seven assists vs. Tilton and 16 points and six assists vs. Holderness. Edison Onwe, a 6-foot-6, postgrad, continued to look like an emerging key piece, too. He had 18 points and was a +23 in New Hampton’s win over Phelps.
4. St. Thomas More (7-1)
Previous ranking: 4
Next game: vs. Vermont Academy, Dec. 10, 5:30 p.m.
Jere Quinn’s young group has just one loss to its resume, and it’s starting to show some toughness. The Chancellors trailed for most of the second half on Friday vs. St. Jude’s, but kept battling and squeezed out a five-point win. Patrick Otey (Westwood, Mass.) went on a flurry in the second half to put them in position to win, and uncommitted 2026 guard David Smith made all the winning plays in the final minutes. Their guard play is really good.
5. Vermont Academy (3-4)
Previous ranking: 5
Next game: at St. Thomas More, Dec. 10, 5:30 p.m.
The Wildcats suffered two tough losses, a five-point road loss to New Hampton and a six-point loss to Our Savior Lutheran at the Zero Gravity Prep Classic in which they had chances to win. Kamari Whyte has continued to look outstanding. VA has a big opportunity Wednesday at St. Thomas More before heading to Scholar Roundball to take on Phelps.
6. Darrow (1-7)
Previous ranking: 7
Next game: Sunshine Showcase (FL), Dec. 12-14
The Ducks hung with Blair – considered one of the top three prep teams in the country – in a tough 90-80 road loss. Three starters fouled out and they still found themselves in a position to win, down just four with two minutes to go. The record isn’t ideal, but Darrow has played arguably the most difficult schedule in New England and competed in most games; the Ducks’ resume includes a five-point overtime loss to Cushing and a four-point road loss to New Hampton. Antonio Anderson is unfazed by the daunting slate, and the experience of going through difficult games and moments should serve the Ducks well down the road. The wins are coming.
7. St. George’s (2-0)
Previous ranking: NR
Next game: at St. Sebastian’s, Dec. 10, 4:30 p.m.
It’s possible that I underestimated the Dragons a bit after the defending ISL champions lost four starters from last season’s team. That was a mistake. They looked every bit like not only an ISL frontrunner, but a serious Class AA darkhorse after two impressive victories over Tilton and Winchendon (who I considered the second-best team in AA) at the Prep Classic, 98-77 and 97-90. Dywane Chess, who scored a career-high 33 points vs. Winchendon, looks more than ready to assume a starring role, and the teammates around him, like Ethan Njenga (Lowell, Mass.) and Kenny Benedict, looked like they’re primed for big leaps. Chance Finlayson (Newport, R.I.), their 2029 phenom, impressed in his NEPSAC debut, too. This squad might have even more firepower than last year.
8. Bridgton (6-2)
Previous ranking: 9
Next game: vs. MacDuffie, Dec. 13, 8:15 p.m. (at Scholar Roundball)
The Wolverines lost star big man and UMass commit Cheick Sylla in the first half of their win over Williston Northampton due to a knee injury, and he was sidelined the next day against Knox. But they showed strong resiliency in beating a good Knox team, 88-82, behind a spirited second half led by guards Colton Crowdis and Nafees Padgett (South Portland, Maine). It’s unclear how long Sylla is out, but Bridgton should be encouraged with how this group is coming together.
9. Winchendon (4-1)
Previous ranking: 6
Next game: vs. Northfield Mount Hermon, Dec. 10, 2 p.m.
The Wapiti are mortal. After reeling off four double-digit wins to start the season, Alex Popp’s group lost its first game of the season to St. George’s in a thriller on Sunday. Winchendon played well, but they met their match in effort and pace in the Dragons. Winchendon gets another game with Northfield Mount Hermon – which it beat by 14 last week – before heading up to Canada for three games this weekend against strong opponents.
10. MacDuffie (3-3)
Previous ranking: 10
Next game: vs. Brimmer & May, Dec. 10, 6 p.m.
The Mustangs gave Cushing their best punch on Friday night at the Prep Classic, leading by six early in the second half before the Penguins went on a big run to take control. But MacDuffie responded well with a strong 77-71 win over Lawrence Academy, led by Brayden Harris’ 30 points. Most importantly, Kurt Steiner’s team is getting healthy. Big man Johnny Bol returned last week, scoring 10 points in his first game vs. Wilbraham & Monson. The Mustangs also added guard Darien Rudder (Springfield, Mass.), who will be pivotal this season in giving them a reliable secondary ball-handler with Keyshon Joyner (Worcester, Mass.).
PROSPECT WATCH: Why Keyshon Joyner is one of New England's top 2027 guards
The next five: Albany Academy, Lawrence Academy, Kimball Union, St. Andrew’s, Brimmer & May
