After the NEPSAC girls quarterfinals played out mostly as expected, Saturday's semifinals took a chaotic turn.
The field treated us to three overtime games. Two top seeds — defending Class AAA champion Tilton and perennial Class B Large power St. George's — fell in dramatic fashion. And with 24 hours or less to turn things around, the remaining championship hopefuls will have to dig deep during Super Sunday at Nobles.
Among the matchups are three championship rematches in classes AA, A and B Large. Most of the slate feels like a toss-up. Though I managed a 7-3 record with my semifinal picks, Saturday's game scripts made me far less confident in projecting Super Sunday — which makes it all the more exciting as a viewer!
Here's who I predict will take home trophies in classes AAA through B Small.
BRACKET TRACKERS: Class AAA bracket | Class AA bracket | Class A bracket | Class B Large, B Small, C brackets
Class AAA
No. 2 Hoosac vs. No. 4 New Hampton
The AAA victor will earn a program-defining championship. Hoosac has only been at this level of NEPSAC for a few years and this run represents its first playoff victories as a AAA (or AA) school. Meanwhile, New Hampton has long been among the prep elites but has not reached a championship game since 2017. These foes split the season series and it's an even grudge match on paper.
The Huskies pack more of an offensive punch. Chloe Dix (21 points) and Elyse Ngenda (20 points) found a groove during Saturday's epic, 68-63 overtime triumph against defending champion Tilton. Between beating Tilton in the semifinals and Nobles in the quarterfinals, New Hampton has disposed of two of its most frustrating adversaries in recent seasons. But Hoosac has been relentless in enforcing its size for interior buckets, while Anna Moser (Rutland, Vt.) rains down 3s.
I think Dix and Hoosac forward Tanavia Turpin are the swing players in this matchup. Dix played some great defense against Tilton, including drawing a huge charge against Bella Owumi that helped send the game to overtime. Turpin epitomizes a lot of what Hoosac is this season: not flashy, but tough and unshakeable. This is a true 50-50 championship bout.
Prediction: New Hampton 62, Hoosac 58
Class AA
No. 1 Darrow vs. No. 2 Worcester Academy
This is a rematch of a thrilling AA championship matchup from last year when Worcester Academy prevailed, 59-57. To get back, they both had to outlast grueling semifinal opponents. Darrow triumphed in overtime against Northfield Mount Hermon, 67-66, via a winning layup with 7.2 seconds left from Taelor Arnold (East Hartford, Conn.). Worcester Academy fought off a late charge from Wilbraham & Monson to win, 44-38.
Darrow had Worcester Academy's number in both regular season meetings with blowouts by 31 and 32 points, respectively. That is a massive chasm to overcome even with the slate wiped clean. Darrow plays such a tough-nosed style of defense and their small guards — Arnold and Dior Dobere — are tough to contain off the dribble. Add in the constant movement and shotmaking from Jill Dingler (Storrs, Conn.), plus a significant frontcourt size advantage, and the Ducks should show they belong with their first Class AA title.
Prediction: Darrow 65, Worcester Academy 53
Class A
No. 1 Loomis Chaffee vs. No. 2 Sacred Heart
We have another championship rematch on our hands — and I'm again siding with the challenger.
Sacred Heart jumped out to a 23-2 advantage before cruising to beat Taft, 58-32, in Saturday's semifinals. Meanwhile, Loomis Chaffee had its hands full with Phillips Andover, hanging on in a 42-40 win with help from a late Leah McKenzie (Farmington, Conn.) step-through bucket and Lauren Wright (South Glastonbury, Conn.) free throw.
It's dangerous to pick against the four-time defending Class A champions. But I think Sacred Heart is just playing better basketball right now, and I trust the effort from Lucianna Parrotta and Eva Wilkerson can help make up for the lack of frontcourt size. One X-factor to watch on Sacred Heart is Ava Curto, who flies under the radar among the starters but is an important two-way guard.
Prediction:Â Sacred Heart 60, Loomis Chaffee 57
Class B Large
No. 4 Lawrence Academy vs. No. 7 Berkshire
The two survivors in Class B Large can attest that it's all about getting hot at the right time. Lawrence Academy is 11-2 in its last 13 games while Berkshire has won nine of its last 11. The Bears stomped Brooks on the road in the semifinals, 58-32. The Spartans registered arguably the most shocking result of Saturday, taking down top-seeded St. George's, 53-47.
I expect a defensive game that'll challenge each team's ability to create off the dribble. Jhene Fortunat (West Boylston, Mass.) of Lawrence Academy is a stronger, more powerful center going against the length and athleticism of Pearl Dickson. Berkshire senior Chloe Egan (Cotuit, Mass.) and Lawrence Academy sophomore Kiera Paradis (Goffstown, N.H.) will frustrate each other in their anticipated point guard battles.
These teams both have perimeter threats, but I think the depth of Berkshire's shooting makes a difference. That plus general roster experience has me sticking with my preseason championship pick.
Prediction: Berkshire 51, Lawrence Academy 45
Class B Small
No. 1 Kimball Union vs. No. 3 Hamden Hall
Though it's the first year for a new class, these rivals know each other well in our third championship rematch from last year. Hamden Hall prevailed in that Class C title game and also scored a head-to-head win this year on Dec. 14 at the She Got Game Classic.
This time around, I'll be watching the battle between two emotive, highlight-reel point guards in Hamden Hall's Maddie Benigni (East Hampton, Conn.) and Kimball Union's Nyasia Caban (Lawrence, Mass.). But lately, Tessa Porch (Middletown, Conn.) has stepped up as a scorer, and she'll need to continue against some quality Kimball Union wing defenders.
Hamden Hall faced tough challenges against both of its playoff opponents and managed to pull away for two double-digit wins. Kimball Union has survived a close battle with Holderness and an overtime thriller against Kingswood Oxford. I think I trust the Hornets in clutch situations and will side with a repeat.
Prediction:Â Hamden Hall 57, Kimball Union 50
